Previewing the Capital One Bowl....

The season's biggest challenge (and yet also the biggest reward) looms for Michigan State on Saturday. After pulling off incredible victories over Notre Dame and Wisconsin, then powering through the rest of a challenging Big Ten season, the Spartans have earned a much-deserved trip to a New Year's Day bowl game. They now find themselves closer than ever before to reaching that elusive plateau dominated by college football's top teams-a victory over Alabama, coupled with the return of their entire offensive backfield, could turn heads, and put the Spartans in the early national conversation for next year. For a coach that places huge emphasis on tangible success and recognition,  that would be a huge accomplishment for a Spartan program that's struggled in their climb to the top.

A much bigger accomplishment in the present though, would be to knock off that aforementioned Alabama team, and that looks to be an extremely tough test. The 16th-ranked Crimson Tide ripped off five straight wins to start the season, and if not for losses to South Carolina and LSU, would be in the top 10 right now.

'Bama is extremely talented across the board, and has depth at key skill positions, including running back. Trent Richardson and a recovering Mark Ingram have combined for 248 carries, 1,474 yards, and 16 touchdowns this year. What's more, both backs have prototypical NFL size, and share the load well-in the three games where both Richardson and Ingram got double-digit carries, the Crimson Tide won by an average of 23 points.  With Ingram having had plenty of time to recover and prepare for this bowl game, the Spartans defense should see a heavy dose of the former Michigan State recruit. The head-on collisons between those two backs and experienced Spartan LB's Greg Jones and Eric Gordon should be both hard-hitting and fun to watch, and with 755 career tackles between them, the two should fly to the ball often.

Alabama isn't simply a two-man show, though. The man under center, Greg McElroy, can definitely play ball as well-he's completed over 70% of his passes this year, and has delivered long throws of over 50 yards in five games this season. His 166.9 passer rating is also impressive, and in his second year under center he's looked a great deal more comfortable in the pocket. To boot, he's throw at least one score in 10 of Alabama's games this season-if he finds top target Julio Jones open as often as he has this season (the junior wideout has 41 more receptions than his closest teammate), Michigan State's DB's are in for a long day.

MSU has faced no greater challenge than the one that's in front of them in Orlando on New Year's Day. We've seen the Spartans' resiliency, toughness and heart all throughout the season. The reason that formula's worked though, results from not only their talent level, but their performance. How will they respond to the pressure of a huge bowl game? How will they handle a pro-Alabama crowd? How will they deal with the loss of receiver B.J. Cunningham? Those are all questions that beg asking, but on Saturday, we'll know the answers. For more on the Spartans' trip to Orlando, check out Beau Knows later this week, and if you can't get enough of MSU football, head to greenandwhite.com, an excellent MSU athletics website ran by the Lansing State Journal.

--Beau

Falcons-Saints on MNF....possibly the best primetime game of the year?

The headline says it all. Tonight's contest between the top two teams in the NFC South has all the makings of the best Monday Night Football game of the season. Two top-notch quarterbacks, two high-flying offenses, and quite alot at stake should make this a terrific game. If the Falcons win, they clinch the NFC's top seed, and a coveted first-round bye. The Saints, on the other hand, remain solidly in the playoff picture, but need a victory to avoid a season sweep by their rival. On that note, a loss backs New Orleans up against a wall-depending on how league play shakes out, they would need to win their season finale against the competitive Bucaneers, a team that's also fighting for their playoff lives.

A key number in this game:19-1. That's Matt Ryan's record at home as a starter, and that gives him  a significant advantage tonight. That also works against the Saints, who struggled on the road last week against the Ravens' vaunted rushing attack. When it comes to that department, Atlanta also has the edge, as they rush for an average of nearly 123 yards per game, eighth-best in the league. If RB Michael Turner gets at least 25 carries and a score (as he has in two of Atlanta's past three games, both wins), I predict a Falcons victory.

On the other hand, if both teams rev up their respective aerial attacks, the points will fly. In that type of a contest, I think the defending Super Bowl champs have the edge-they know how to pull out close victories, as they've shown in games against Dallas and Cincinnati this year. Any comments or thoughts on the game? Feel free to post below, and read Beau Knows later this week for a complete look at the upcoming Michigan State-Alabama Capital One Bowl.

--Beau

Free Tattoos in Columbus....

By now, you would think college football players would have figured out more ways to stay out of trouble, instead of cause it. But, that's not the case for five Ohio State Buckeyes, who were suspended for the first five games of next season for selling championship rings, awards, and in QB Terrelle Pryor's case, a "gold pants" trinket that OSU players receive for defeating Michigan. That's unfortunately not all-the Buckeyes star and five other teammates also received discounts on ink from a Columbus tattoo parlor, and will miss the aforementioned games as a result (a sixth teammate will miss only the season's first game, for the same infraction). QB Terrelle Pryor posted as recently as this week on his Twitter account that he paid for his tattoos, but this investigation reveals differently.

In terms of the selling of the merchandise (which included Big Ten championship rings, football cleats, and jerseys), it's difficult to say whether all of that money went directly to their families (as OSU officials have claimed), and how discounted tattoos factor into the equation certainly doesn't have to do with that. These players didn't receive free or reduced-cost tattoos because their family had fallen on rough times-they got this service as a result of their stature as big-time college athletes. I'm sure similar things happen at campuses across the country, and yet the lid got blown off of this particular scandal.

In terms of the suspension, it's beyond me as to why the NCAA chose to suspend the players starting next season instead of this bowl game. Although the official ruling says that players may play in a bowl game if they were "not aware they were commiting the violations," surely they knew that receiving tattoos in the manner that they did was against athletic regulations? The players knew full well what they were getting themselves into when they chose to accept those benefits, and while the same thing may not apply to the selling of their memorabilia, those factors should have been taken into account when doling out the punishments.

The NCAA, while doing the right thing in digging into these allegations, got the suspension wrong. Suspend the players for the bowl game for the improper benefits they received, and hand out later suspensions if necessary to deal with the other infractions. Missing games against Akron and Toledo isn't the same as missing the Sugar Bowl, and while their team needs them in contests next year against Miami (FL) and MSU, the NCAA needs even more desperately to send a stronger message than what they have. Maybe next time, they'll get it right. Then again, let's hope their isn't any next time.

--Beau

National Football League Preview

Week 16 in the NFL is upon us, and as always the pressure on teams to produce and perform is enormous. That's certainly the case this week, as there are several key games kicking off, each with post-season implications.

Jets QB Mark Sanchez will start today in Chicago
despite a sore throwing shoulder.
Photo courtesy of rotoworld.com

The most notable of these games in my mind is the looming Jets-Bears duel at 1:00pm. The Bears are 10-4 and control their own destiny in the NFC North after a powerful dismantiling of the rival Vikings-they got excellent play across the board from their offense (Jay Cutler delivered multiple scores and threw no picks), defense (that unit held the Vikes to 14 points), and special teams (Devin Hester exploded on a second-half punt return for a score). A similar effort will be needed if the Bears want to replicate results like that on Sunday. The Jets, on the other hand, are nearly as good as the Michael Vick-led Eagles that Chicago  knocked off so convincingly earlier this year, and they have the recent victories to prove it.

They're riding a decisive win last weekend over the Steelers, and staying on the road today shouldn't be that tough for a Rex Ryan team that's 11-4 under him in games away from the Meadowlands. A more important factor is the weather, and specifically, the wind conditions at Soldier Field. How accurately will Mark Sanchez be able to deliver the ball under pressure from Julius Peppers and strong wind gusts? We'll have to wait and see.

In the NFC West, things are still very tight, and the Rams and 49ers head into today's clash each needing to win to stay alive.  St. Louis and the Seahawks sit atop the NFL's worst division with six wins each, but San Fran can keep themselves in it if they knock off Sam Bradford and Co. today. The rookie has performed admirably this season, delivering 17 touchdowns and topping 3,000 yards. What's more, if he leads the Rams to victory today. they'll have surpassed their win total from the previous three years combined-if that's not motivating, I'm not sure what is. These two squads are nearly even in rushing, passing, and total yards per game, so the deciding factor could be special teams-the Rams average nearly 25 yards a kickoff return, while the 49ers bring it back just a shade over 21 yards on average. In a game of inches, that could make all the difference.


Despite their struggles this season, the Colts also have a shot at a nice finish to the year, in  a contest that should have the atmosphere of a playoff game. Peyton Manning leads the Colts into Oakland looking to wrestle away the AFC South from the Jaguars-if they win today, they do just that. The performance of Manning will clearly be key in that one, as he has a passer rating that's 20 points higher on the road than at home. On the opposite sideline, Oakland needs to ride Darren McFadden hard-his versatility in running for 100 yards while at the same time catching four passes was key in their win over the Broncos last week, and they desperately need standout play from him today. The former Arkansas star could easily hit those numbers though, as Indy's defense will be playing without anchors Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and Gary Brackett. I wouldn't be altogether shocked to see Oakland take down the Colts, but as long as Manning is that the helm, I don't see that happening.

With every week, the pressure grows. With every game, playoff implications shift, and the entire season boils down to one thing: victories. Win and stay alive. Lose and see opportunities slip from your grasp. Most teams today have one shot at survival....who will seize it?

--Beau

MSU-Texas and the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Last night, for the first time this season, MSU hosted a ranked team in the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. But, for the fourth time this season, the Spartans fell flat in a big way against a competitive opponent. What's more, with their 52-game non-conference home win streak on the line, they didn't play with heart or toughness.

Although they did get 17 points from Kalin Lucas, as well as solid defensive play from their senior point gurad, few other Spartans came to work. That was evident in final stat line, which shows that State shot an abysmal 29 percent from the floor, and gave up a double-double to Tristan Thompson. MSU continually had no answer for either him, Gary Johnson, or Jordan Hamilton, who put in 52 of the Longhorns' 67 points.

At this point in the season, MSU seems to have issues in many areas, which is unfortunate considering they open Big Ten play next Friday. Defensively, they don't seem to have a reliable post force, as evidenced by the performances of Texas' three bigs. On top of that, when things go cold on offense, the Spartans struggle to stay in games. In this one, a 7-rebound edge and an accurate night from behind the free-throw stripe were negated by their awful efforts shooting the ball.

State needs players like Lucas to not only perform well, but also carry others (like Korie Lucious and Keith Appling), with him. They need more reliable play from Draymond Green, who, when consistent, can provide a great catalyst for the offense. When he's off though, his play hinders the Spartans.  Right now, they need to re-group, get better in practice, and gear up for a tough, physical Big Ten season. That's easier said than done, but Tom Izzo has players who've been through the rumble, and those Spartans should be ready for the challenge that a top-15 Minnesota team will present.

Out in Las Vegas, in college football's MAACO Humanitarian Bowl, the Boise State Broncos didn't disappoint viewers, unlike many who attended last night's MSU contest. Even after being shutout in the first quarter for the first time since 2009, Chris Petersen's crew came roaring back to dominate Utah by 23 points. They drove the football up-and-down the field on their way to 543 total yards, in the process reminding us all why they hung in the BCS conversation for so long.

They delivered an entertaining game for Broncos fans who were no doubt crushed by their team's collapse against Nevada and athough they won't bring back the depth they had this year, they return Kellen Moore and most of their offensive backfield, which puts them in postion to compete in their new league, the Mountain West.

The next bowl game up on the slate: today's San Diego County Credit Union Pointsettia Bowl, between two teams with strong Southern California presences: Navy and the de-facto "home team", the San Diego State Aztecs. In that one, I'll take versatile SDSU. For more on college football's bowl season, read on later this week.

--Beau

Michigan State-Texas Preview

When the schedule was released for this upcoming season, Spartan fans (including myself), circled four things on the pre-conference portion of the schedule: the Maui Invitational (a tough pre-season test for any squad), a visit to Duke (home of the defending national champs), a duel with Syracuse at Madison Square Garden (perhaps the biggest stage in the game), and tomorrow's home date with Texas.
Unfortunately, the Spartans have bumbled and stumbled through those first three challenges, turning the ball over and missing shots on their way to three losses that were undeniably tough to swallow. Tomorrow, however, they get a shot at redemption, and on their home court, no less.

The Longhorns are no Prairie View A&M, and on that note, it's great news that the Spartans have their fearless leader back after his unexpected suspension. On the court though, both Korie Lucious and Keith Appling have been hobbled by injuries, and as a result, haven't practiced this week. Despite that, the  Spartans need both of them to be ready to go-those two can provide Kalin Lucas with much-needed rests in spurts, and provide a reliable sidekick to No. 1 when on the floor. Another key to a Spartan victory is Durrell Summers. His world-class jumping ability and improved deep jump shot were on display throughout his 25-point effort against A&M on Saturday, and MSU needs that type of performance from him not only tomorrow, but through the Big Ten season.

Looking ahead to the near future, this is MSU's final pre-conference tune-up before they tip off Big Ten play against Minnesota on New Year's Eve-to head into that game with confidence, the Spartans need to perform at a high level in a big-time game.
The opponent standing in their way is definitely a big-time team,though. The Longhorns are on a three-game winning streak, and that tear includes a last-second defeat over UNC on a neutral court. Before a Dec. 5th upset by USC,  Texas had won six of seven to start the season,with the lone loss coming by two points to then-fourth-ranked Pitt.
Jordan Hamilton leads the way for Rick Barnes' crew, having scored twenty points five times this season. The athletic 6'7" swing man will be a tough match for Durrell Summers, or anyone else the Spartans put on him.
Texas is also getting greater contributions from freshman guard Cory Joseph, who's scored 18 or more points in the last three games-those totals include a clutch, game-winning turnaround jumper to knock off the Tar Heels on Saturday. But, the quickness and ability of MSU's trio of guards is enough to bring down the young star, and State should be able to keep him in check.

Three times this season, Michigan State has stood in the national spotlight, and three times thus far, they've faltered. If these Spartans really have learned their lesson, put in the work, and improved as a squad, the efforts of that hard work will show tomorrow. Even though they've won two in a row since that loss to Syracuse, it remains "gut check time" for these players. Tomorrow's game is clearly a huge test for MSU, and it's one they best not fail.

--Beau

And The Games Continue.,....

If I had to pick one company to sponsor my bowl game, I personally wouldn't choose a restaraunt chain with a name like Beef O'Brady's. But, the organizers of this game have done just that, and tonight, we'll see they can deliver, as Louisville and Southern Missisppi kick off at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Tonight's game starts a string of four straight days with one bowl game, and after an excruciatingly long (for some, that is) two-day break from college football, why not tune in tonight??

Examining both teams on paper, Louisville has had a fairly unremarkable .500 season, with an OT loss to South Florida and non-conference defeats to bowl-eligible Kentucky and a 5-7 Oregon State team. The major blemish on their record is a 35-27 loss to a four-win Cincinnati squad in which their secondary was burned for five scores through the air-that game says alot about the talent level on that side of the football.

The Cardinals do have some offensive firepower, though. Going into their late-season showdown with West Virginia, they were the Big East's top rushing squad, and even after that game, they still boast the nation's 30th-best ground attack, with a per-game average of nearly 181 yards. RB Bilal Powell will be the Cardinals' workhorse tonight, as he's carried the ball 211 times this year, at nearly 7 yards a pop.

Southern Miss, on the other hand, finished second in Conference USA's East Division, and also has a potent  offense-they ranked 15th in the country in average points for. As a team, they also rank in the top third in two other categories as well, and have thrown the ball over 30 times in all but two contests this year. QB Austin Davis will chuck it early and often in this one as well, which usually works for Southern Miss-they've won seven games in which they scored thirty or more points this season, and against vulnerable Cardinal defensive backs, I expect that to continue. On paper, the Golden Eagles can definitely throw, pass, and put points on the scoreboard.
Their Achilles' heel lies in their inability to stop any opposing offense-in their four losses, they've given up 40-plus  points. If Louisville pounds the rock like they did throughout the season, and Southern Miss unleashes their full offensive arsenal, the fireworks will fly in St. Petersburg tonight. My prediction: So will the Golden Eagles.

--Beau

National Football League In Review

After a host of games across the league, one thing is clear in my mind: never, ever count the Eagles out. Faced with a 21-point halftime deficit, and staring down a three-touchdown gap with roughly seven minutes to play, Philadelphia rallied to win in the most improbable comeback so far this year.

Vick averaged 13.0 yards a carry and ran for one score
to lead the Eagles to a 38-31 victory over the Giants on Sunday.
Photo courtesy of google.com

They not only scored three times to tie the game over that seven-minute span, but also recovered an onside kick to give themselves a shot to score. What's more, their special teams eventually won the game for them. Give credit to the Eagles 'D' for generating a stop that late in the contest, and give credit to DeSean Jackson and the rest of that punt return unit for delivering the most thrilling game-winnning touchdown of the year. However, they wouldn't have been in that position were it not for the play of Michael Vick. His efforts in running for 130 yards from the quarterback position were undeniably tremendous, and with two regular-season games left to play, he just might be the NFL MVP. Now, Philadelphia holds the tie-breaker over the Giants, and a chokehold on the NFC East.

Another team also solidified their own playoff position with a tough road victory. The Baltimore Ravens went into New Orleans and handed the defending Super Bowl champs their third loss in a big, bruising way.  Ray Rice and the rest of the Ravens backfield outrushed the Saints 207 to 28, and held on in the fourth quarter despite a tying touchdown from Drew Brees. They're now atop the wild-card standings, and with two games against divisonal opponents left, they can pass the Steelers in the AFC North, despite their loss to Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

The Ravens actually got some help on that front  today, as Rex Ryan's Jets took down those Steelers at Heinz Field. Special teams and defense keyed the Jets' victory, with New York getting huge contributions from former Missouri star Brad Smith (a 97-yard kickoff return for a score to open the game), kicker Nick Folk (two field goals), and veteran LB Jason Taylor (the primary force behind a late-game safety which extended New York's lead to five). At this point, the Jets look like a strong contender out of the AFC.

Today's results all boil down to one basic prinicple, though. That principle is simple: to win in the NFL, you need to possess the will to win, every second, every play, and every down. Certain teams have it, and certain teams don't. In the next two weeks, as we head towards the playoffs, we'll see who's for real.....and who's just playing games.

--Beau



Capital One Bowl Week Kicks Off....

In my opinion, the best time of the sports season starts today. From now until January 10, the world of college football offers up a veritable buffet of 35 bowl games, featuring 70 different teams, and games in locations as diverse as Boise, Idaho, Detroit, Michigan, and Yankee Stadium.

But, before those teams get their chance in the spotlight, three games are on the bill for today. BYU and UTEP have already kicked off, and in this battle of 6-6 teams, the Cougars struck the first blow, and lead 14-3 after two first-quarter scores.

Later today, the Huskies of Northern Illinois take on Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl. The 10-win Huskies take the field without coach Jerry Kill on the sidelines-he's the newly-appointed head man at Minnesota, but, they have plenty to play for, regardless of that departure. One more win gives NIU their most successful season in school history, and they certainly have the weapons to make that happen. Chad Spann keys the nation's seventh-best rushing attack, and has already topped 1,200 yards on the year. In the cold weather of Boise, expect him to get a significant number of carries.
On the opposite side of the ball, Fresno State's ability to shut down NIU will be key. The Bulldogs rank seventh in the country with 11 sacks as a unit, and in a game where defensive pressure will be crucial, Pat Hill's crew has that advantage. But, I'll pick the motivated Huskies in a low-scoring, physical brawl.

Top off a day of college football action by switching your T.V. set over to the New Orleans Bowl, where Ohio and Troy face off. For the second straight year, coach Frank Solich has the Bobcats of Ohio in a bowl game, but their opponent's accomplishments are equally impressive. Although they play in the Sun Belt, Troy just claimed a share of a conference title for the fifth straight year, and as a result, they're playing in this game in the Superdome for the third time in five seasons. Although neither team is statistically impressive, Troy holds the edge through the air, outpassing Solich's crew by an average of 135 yards per game. They also average over 30 points a game on offense, and tonight in particular, I'll take the Sun Belt champs in a close, high-scoring affair.

For complete coverage of Capital One Bowl Week, check back here later this week.

--Beau

Wednesday Night Across the NBA

Even though it's only December, a number of games throughout the league last night had the feel of playoff competition. In particular, the Knicks and Celtics played one of the more thrilling games of the year, as Paul Pierce hit a go-ahead two-pointer with .4 of a second left to push Boston past New York, 118-116.

Both teams showed the ability to push the ball up and down the floor in combining for 234 points, and New York got another stellar game from Amare Stoudemire, who topped 30 points for the ninth straight game-that's the longest streak of that nature since LeBron James hit that mark in 10 consecutive contests. Despite the loss, New York has won 13 of 15 games, and their resurgence has been impressive so far. In fact, they sit in second place in the Atlantic Division, and recently posted their longest win streak since April of 2001. They may have lost last night, but if they get solid contributions from Stoudemire and players like Danilo Galinari, (who scored 20 points in 43 minutes), they can stay within 5 games of Boston the rest of the way, and if they do that, they'll be in position to secure a high playoff seed.

On the other hand, their opponent, the Celtics, have now ripped off 11 straight wins, and as long as veterans like Pierce hit clutch shots, they can keep that streak going. In the NBA, sometimes luck can go a long way, and in two late-game situations, Boston came out on the proper end, with both the game-winning jumper and then Stoudemire's late shot that failed to beat the buzzer.  Those two teams don't meet again until March 21st, and until that time, the Knicks need to keep pace with Boston in the Atlantic.

Also in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls extended another significant win streak, and upped their total to seven consecutive victories, this time behind an impressive double-double from Carlos Boozer. Chicago has thrust themselves into that playoff discussion as well, yet they face stiff competition from the Heat, who knocked off the Cavs for the second time this season. LeBron James' ex-team got double-figures from five starters, and still, King James got the best of them.  After a rought start, Miami has proved many doubters wrong, and I'd even go so far as to say they could take down the Celtics when they're at their best.

Switching over to the Western Conference, the Lakers knocked off the Indiana Pacers by 15 thanks to 31 points from Kobe Bryant. Even at 32, the star guard continues to fill it up night after night, and in particular in the past five games- he's scored at least 24 in each of those contests. A prime Lakers' rival, the Hornets, snapped a three-game losing streak behind 22 points from Chris Paul. The former Wake Forest star's 9.8 assist-per-game average is a big part of why the Hornets are five games above .500.

For more from the NBA, college basketball, and the world of sports, remember....that Beau Knows.

--Beau

Vikings-Giants and Ravens-Texans

Counter to my belief, Brett Favre's streak of consecutive starts came to an end last night, and without Favre under center, the Vikings struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. His replacement, Tarvaris Jackson, completed just 50% of his passes and threw one pick, and after leaving the game in third quarter, HIS replacement, third-stringer Joe Web, passed for a mere eight yards on two completions.
The winning quarterback didn't play much better, as Eli Manning tossed two interceptions and put up just 187 yards through the air.

But, the key to the Giants' win last night was their ground game. The G-Men ran for 213 net yards, thanks to efforts from Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. If they get that kind of production from those two backs every game (and particularly next week against Philadelphia), they'll be in  good position to knock off the Eagles in that divisional race,as they currently sit tied up. The magnitude of that rivalry will definitely be amplified going into this weekend's showdown.
As good as New York  was on the ground, the Vikings were equally bad at getting their own running game going. The Giants' efforts in holding Adrian Peterson to 26 yards were extremely impressive, and I'm interested to see how they'll contain dual-threat QB Michael Vick on Sunday.

The second game had a much more dramatic finish, if not the same drama surrounding the players (i.e. Brett Favre). Despite Matt Schaub's Herculean efforts in carrying the Texans back from an 21-point deficit, it was his mistake that led to a Houston loss, as Josh Wilson took back his errant throw for the Ravens' final, sudden-death score. That loss marks the fourth time this season that Gary Kubiak's team has come back from at least 14 points down to either tie or lead....and lost.
The comeback wasn't all Schaub, however. Andre Johnson took over the game as well, hauling in nine passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, one of them a deep bomb in which he burned Ravens safety Ed Reed. But, the former Miami Hurricane would come up even bigger, as he snagged a Schaub throw in the back of the endzone to pull the Texans within two. Those two plays, along with his overall effort, were among the better efforts I've seen from a receiver this year.

The fact that the Texans completed 31 throws on the Ravens' secondary (on a whopping 61 attempts), exposed that unit, yet it wasn't enough, and at this point that's perhaps the biggest thing that can be said about the Texans right now. In a game where they had all the momentum, they couldn't take advantage of their opportunity to seize control.

 Jon Harbaugh's crew, on the other hand, ultimately did just that thanks to big plays. While Joe Flacco did connect with veteran Derrick Mason for two scores, Baltimore got its biggest boost off of a David Reed kick return, and the Wilson pick-six to end the game. The cornerback's positioning and great read on the throw gave him a shot, and the rest is history.
The way they achieved it wasn't the prettiest game the Ravens have ever played, but a 'W' in the win column certainly looks good this late in the season.

--Beau

Monday Night Football "Doubleheader"

For the first time since 2005, a second, unscheduled Monday night game will be played right alongside ESPN's prime time contest. For the second time in as many instances, the game was moved because of Mother Nature, and it speaks to the NFL's efficiency that they were able to come up with a solution so efficiently once again.

The Vikings and Giants kick off the first of two contests this evening. However, neither squad will have home-field advantage, as Roger Goodell acted quickly to move the game to Detroit following the collapse of the Metrodome. You have to wonder how both teams will be affected by this last-minute change in plans, and although Tom Coughlin is a skilled motivator and task-master, I believe we'll see more of an effect on the Giants, who flew halfway back across the country just to play this one after spending a night in Kansas City.

The biggest storyline on the Vikings’ sideline, however, is undoubtedly Brett Favre, as it typically is. The ailing quarterback said he wouldn’t have played had the game been held on Sunday, and he remains a last-minute decision , according to interim coach Leslie Frazier. As recently as this afternoon though, the Vikes’ coach said it was “doubtful” that he would play. Although Tarvaris Jackson was effective in leading the Vikings to a win over the Bills, he did toss three picks. Say what you will about Favre and his play this season, but his experience clearly puts him ahead of the fifth-year back-up, and with Minnesota fighting for their playoff lives, they need him under center. However, as of right now, it looks like Jackson will start for Minnesota.

Just an hour and ten minutes after those two teams kick off, the Ravens and Texans will go toe-to-toe. After losing control of the AFC North following a loss to the Steelers, Baltimore will undoubtedly need a better offensive output- in falling to Pittsburgh by three points, the Ravens gained just 269 total yards on offense.

However, the Texans need this one even worse than the Ravens. At 5-7, Houston is on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, despite a 1,230-yard effort from unheralded running back Arian Foster. A win tonight rides not only on his shoulders, but on the arm of QB Matt Schaub. In four of their five wins, he’s thrown at least two touchdowns, and in three of those same wins, Foster has topped 100 yards. To keep pace with the Ravens, that duo will have to play at a high level. Along with strong offensive contributions, Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Frank Bush (now on the sidelines instead of the coaching booth) will need to orchestrate a quick turnaround for a unit that’s given up an average of 388.9 yards per game.

With both contests overlapping tonight, it’ll be a busy time across the country. Check back here tomorrow for a wrap-up of those games and more thoughts from the wide world of sports.

--Beau

Heisman Trophy Preview

The annals of Heisman history contain many greats, and some not-so-greats. But, I believe that tonight's winner will not only continue to make waves in the college game, but also a big splash on Sundays. Each of the candidates is equally impressive in their own respect, and having seen all four play, it's clear that each one of them deserves to be there.

Andrew Luck has quarterbacked Stanford to a near-perfect 11-1 record, completing 20 or more passes in six of those games. The All-Pac 10 first-teamer also possesses a 4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and a quarterback rating of 166.10. His 70.2% completion rate is extremely impressive, and the fact that he's directed his team to a top-five ranking and BCS berth speaks to his leadership.
While Stanford's loss to Oregon was an unsightly blemish on their season, their manhandling of 15th-ranked Arizona was impressive. Barring an early departure for the NFL, Luck should be back next year, and with this year’s leading rusher, Stefan Taylor, in the backfield, the Cardinal should deliver another fine season on offense.

The second of three QB's to spend the week in New York, Boise State's Kellen Moore has put up ridiculous numbers in leading the Broncos to an 11-1 record. After finishing seventh in the balloting last year, the junior lived up to fans' expectations again, tossing an astounding 33 touchdowns, in addition to 3,506 yards. In fact, in his three years under center, he's thrown for 10,528 through the air, while compiling a 37-2 record as a starter. Until a late-season defeat to Nevada, Moore had topped a 66% completion rate for nine straight contests, and had the Broncos in contention for a BCS bowl. With another year at the helm for coach Chris Peterson, Moore can leave a great legacy in Boise, and possibly earn a return trip to Grand Central Station.

The only running back to receive an invite to New York, Oregon's LaMichael James joins Luck out of the Pac-10 Conference tonight. ESPN experts project him to finish third in the final results, behind Auburn QB Cam Newton and Luck, but James' stats argue otherwise. The Oregon Duck leads the country in rushing yards and touchdowns, and averages a whopping six yards a carry. On top of that, he has nine 100-plus yard games, and at least two touchdowns in eight contests this year. Despite these numbers, James said on SportsCenter yesterday that he would actually pick Newton given a vote in the polling.

As for me, if I were handed the same choice, I'd pick Cam as well. Although he's been embroiled in controversy this season, the Auburn QB’s stats don’t lie. In accounting for 48 total scores (28 passing and 20 rushing), the former junior college transfer has demonstrated electrifying ability. Along with delivering seven 200-plus yard passing games, the 6’6”, 250-pound Newton has scrambled for 100 yards six times, and was the key to the Tigers’ late-season comeback victories over Georgia and Alabama. Newton’s been in front of this race nearly all season, and tomorrow night, he should break the tape first.

With more games to be played for each of these finalists though, the journey doesn’t stop here. If these players have their way, we’ll be hearing about each one of them for a long, long time.

--Beau

Celtics-Nuggets and Heat-Jazz

Out of all the games across the NBA last night, two caught my eye in particular, and both involved East Coast teams. Going into last night's contests, the Celtics and Heat had put together 12 consecutive wins in a row. After wins by both, that total is now up to 14, and an interesting battle has started to shape up in the Eastern Conference.

But, Boston still sits atop the East Coast, and it's not hard to see why. At several points throughout the game last night, the Celts had four 20,000-plus point scorers on the floor, with Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce all playing significant minutes together. That kind of experience and skill is hard to beat. In this one, Pierce led the way, with 20 of his 26 points coming in the first half. The rest of the season, Boston's depth will be tough to match, and on a night when Glen Davis played for the first time since Sunday and Rajon Rondo scored a mere four points, the Celtics still outscored Denver by 30 from inside the paint. At one point, they led by as much as 41. The absence of Carmelo Anthony was clearly a big factor in this result, but I'll match up the Celtics against the Western Conference anytime with the way they're rolling right now.

Going into last night's showdown with the Jazz, Miami had delivered each of its five straight victories by an average of 17.2 points, and they won this one by double-digits as well, knocking off the Jazz 111-98. Through that stretch of wins, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade have played with much more chemistry, and they certainly played on the same page last night. The duo combined for 61 points on 21-of-34 shooting, and keyed a 15-5 fourth-quarter run which ultimately resulted in a win. I think efforts like those could propel the Heat to more long winning streaks, and possibly great postseason achievements. When on top of their game, Miami should be able to play with anyone, especially considering their talent level. That includes the Celtics, and when it comes to that rivalry, I don’t think we’ve heard the last of it.

--Beau

Michigan State-Syracuse Game Recap

From Maui, to Durham, to New York. After the type of pre-season competition and hectic travel schedule the Michigan State Spartans have faced so far,  it's a safe bet that they'll at least be ready for those two elements when March Madness rolls around. However, if MSU keeps playing at the level they have been, they might not even advance very far when it comes down to that.

On the national stage that is New York City's Madison Square Garden, the Spartans fell to Syracuse, 72-58, in a game that at the end didn't even feel that close. State trailed for much of the game after the opening minutes, allowing the Orange to break open the contest with an early 18-5 run . Right from the start, they struggled to find seams against 'Cuse's zone 'D', which led to missed shots and more offensive possessions for Jim Boeheim's crew. Based on the Orange's success with that type of defense against State, I wouldn't be surprised if at least a team or two tries to replicate that effort later on this year.

Reduced to swinging the ball around the perimeter and settling for deep shots, they tallied a dreadful 38.9% from the field, and converted just 7of their 24 three-point attempts on the night, many of which came from beyond the NBA stripe.

Things weren't much better on defense, as 'Cuse scored 26 of their 39 first-half points from inside the paint, and went on to best the Spartans 42-24 in that category. MSU found themselves outrebounded by eight to go along with that, giving up 16 to Syracuse forward Rick Jackson alone. They also pulled down just six offensive boards.
Coach Izzo certainly had a lot of thoughts about that, saying that  that the Spartans were "taking it like a sissy and they were taking it up like men."

However, it's fair to note that Michigan State's losses have all been to teams ranked in the top 10. On top of that, if and when they meet a team like Duke again later on, they should certainly be at full-strength, and much better prepared to face whatever's thrown at them. But, that day is a long way in the future. For right now, as Coach Izzo said last night, "it's gut check time."

--Beau

College Football and the NFL In Review

This past Saturday, we saw a whole slate of college football games with titles on the line. On the other hand, today in the NFL,  no actual championships were played for, yet there were clear reminders that in effect, a title is always on the line in this league-one loss can shift the balance of power, and make or break a team's season.

Looking at college football's Championship Saturday, several teams stayed true to form, and played their way into marquee bowl games. The Auburn Tigers ran away from South Carolina on their way to a 56-17 SEC championship game victory and BCS National Championship berth. That effort was perhaps the most impressive of any all weekend, as the Tigers seized control with three first-quarter scores, and allowed the Gamecocks only 10 points the rest of the way. Despite the controversy surrounding Tigers star Cam Newton, I believe we'll see him accept the Heisman Trophy in New York City next weekend, as a result of his performances in both the title game and throughout the season.

The Tigers' opponent in that BCS championship game, the Oregon Ducks, also paved their way to Glendale with a decisive win, knocking off Oregon State in Corvallis by 17. In this instance, there is no BCS controversy whatsoever. The two best teams in the country, both undefeated, will square off in the national title game, a contest which promises lots of offensive fireworks.

In other championship games, Oklahoma delivered an upset by knocking off a highly-touted Nebraska team. The fact that the Sooners got to Husker QB Taylor Martinez seven times on defense is impressive, and the fact that they rallied to win after being down by as much as 17 is equally astounding.  Bob Stoops' crew now have until New Year's Day to prepare for a 4-loss Connecticut team coming off a narrow win over South Florida. That could be one of the more lopsided games in BCS bowl history if the Sooners play full-throttle against what should be an overmatched UConn team.

Across the country, Virginia Tech punched its own ticket to a BCS bowl by beating FSU in Charlotte. Hokies QB and ACC Player of the Year Tyrod Taylor was instrumental in that win, setting the Va. Tech single-season record for TD passes with three scoring throws in leading Tech to a 44-33 victory, and a trip to the Orange Bowl.

The weekend's impressive football action didn't stop on Saturday, however. The Saints and Bengals played one of the better games of the day in battling to a 23-20 decision. New Orleans showed toughness and focus in delivering a win, and despite the hype surrounding Terell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, Cincy hasn't been able to win ballgames this year.

In another notable game, the Indianapolis Colts now find their playoff hopes in jeopardy after a narrow overtime loss to the Cowboys. Indy fell behind 17-0 early in uncharacteristic fashion, and Peyton Manning's four-interception effort certainly didn't help their comeback cause. More surprisingly, Manning found his top target, Reggie Wayne, 14 times for a total of 200 yards, and yet still found himself on the losing end.
Looking at other teams who've experienced struggles, the Denver Broncos dropped their eighth straight game this year, falling to the Chiefs in a 10-6 defensive struggle. That team is a far cry from the squad that opened last year on a six-game win streak.

But, next week and later on this season, we might see stories like these reversed-champions will fall, winners will cede control to their rivals, and as always, the games will go on. For more on the world of pro and college sports, keep reading later this week.

--Beau

Spartans-Falcons Game Recap

For much of the first half of today's MSU-Bowling Green contest, the Spartans looked as if they were still stuck in the doldrums that followed their Wednesday night loss to Duke. They shot 30% for much of the game's opening period, turned the ball over frequently, and carried a mere 6-point lead in the locker room against a MAC team that had dropped five straight games. So far, not so good.

But MSU came alive in the second half, outscoring Bowling Green 49-18 on their way to a much-needed, 74-39 win.  That scoring explosion was keyed by Korie Lucious, who drilled two straight three-pointers, and Draymond Green, whose early putback allowed MSU to extend their advantage to 22 within minutes. After a slow start both offensively and defensively, State ramped up their intensity, and showed us what's possible when they hit shots in bunches and put pressure on opposing teams. They ended the contest hitting a respectable 42% of their shots from beyond the arc, while allowing the Falcons to score just 20 points. They actually had open misses from three-point land as well-if they capitalize on more of those opportunities, they'll be able to put teams away even quicker.

However, in what could be the defining characteristic of this season so far, MSU again faced massive challenges with ball protection. The Spartans should consider themselves lucky that their 21 turnovers proved inconsequential, because as we saw on Wednesday night, giveaways can make all the difference in certain games, and it's safe to say that any one of MSU's upcoming battles with Syracuse or Texas could be decided by that stat.

But, on a positive note, they got valuable contributions from their budding young stars, Keith Appling and Adreian Payne.  Appling gave Tom Izzo 25 solid minutes, while scoring 11 points, dishing out three assists, and demonstrating command of the offense. Payne, on the other hand, ignited the Breslin Center crowd while at the same time filling up the stat sheet. Two of his four points came on a thunderous putback-dunk following a missed shot, and he fired up the Izzone with two gravity-defying blocks.
Another perennial leader and hustle player also keyed the Spartans victory, as Draymond Green recorded a double-double, netting ten points while pulling down twelve boards.

Today, the Spartans returned home, re-grouped, and delivered a victory, as expected. Following their previous performances in the national spotlight this season, not many will be picking MSU to roll into Madison Square Garden and leave with a win over an undefeated Syracuse team next Tuesday. But, if MSU plays as hard as they did in today's second half, they'll be right there in the game's final minutes, and they'll absolutely have a shot to win. As fans, that's all we can ask for. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

--Beau

Michigan State-Duke Wrap-Up

Although last night’s final result speaks volumes about the MSU men’s team’s competitive streak in battling to an 84-79 loss to Duke last night, the overall product appears less-than-stellar at this point in the season for coach Tom Izzo’s squad.

Given, going up against the No.1 team in the country is a tough task for any team, much less a Spartan squad that hasn’t realized its full potential yet. However, several troublesome stats tell the tale in this contest.  MSU once again struggled to control possessions on offense, and ended the night with 22 giveaways, 12 of which came in the first half. Off of those 12 turnovers, Duke tallied 22 points, which contributed in part to their 36-34 intermission lead.

On top of turnovers, the Spartans also struggled to contain Blue Devil guard Kyrie Irving, who put in 18 of Duke’s first period-points.  That’s two games in just over one week in which MSU has failed to shut down their opponent’s best scoring threat (they gave up 30 to UConn’s Kemba Walker in similar fashion). The Spartans can’t expect to win if this continues-hopefully, someone will rise from the pile to deliver the shutdown defense they so desperately need.

In spite of digging themselves into a first-half deficit and then allowing Duke to open the second period on a 14-4 run, Michigan State did show resiliency in closing the gap to as little as a point, before falling behind later on.  While a barrage of 3’s closed the gap to five in the game’s waning seconds, it was simply too little, too late. This loss, while a tough early-season blow, does provide a great learning experience for several of the younger players, including Keith Appling and Adreian Payne.  They’ve gone up against a championship-caliber team in the Duke Blue Devils, and they’ll leave Durham with an understanding of what they need to do to win close ballgames.

In order to do that, it’s crucial that the Spartans eliminate turnovers, especially in the game’s early portions, and shut down their opponent’s top scoring options. They’ll also need better performances from their top guns-through nearly 26 minutes of play last night, their “big three” (Lucas, Durrell Summers, and Draymond Green), had combined for only 15 points total. But, in the immediate future, MSU needs to re-focus, gear up, and prepare for a bounce-back win over Bowling Green on Saturday. For more on Spartan basketball and the NBA, look back to Beau Knows later this week.

--Beau

Michigan State-Duke Preview

Tomorrow night is without a doubt the biggest contest of the season for the Michigan State Spartans, and for the first time all year, they're the underdog, in a game that not many are picking them to win. MSU's trip to Durham as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge provides as tough an early season contest as any, and furthermore, it gives us a prime opportunity to see just how well they stack up against top-notch competition.

The defending national champions have ripped off six straight victories to open the season, winning every contest but one by double-digits, and taking down 4th-ranked Kansas State on a neutral court in the process. Five Blue Devils scored 10 points or more in that contest, including freshman guard Kyrie Irving, who put in 17 all by himself. In fact, Irving trails only upperclassmen Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler in terms of points per game on that team, with 14.5. Despite being a true freshman, he'll present a tough opponent for either Kalin Lucas,  Korie Lucious, or Keith Appling from tip-off tomorrow night.

Mason Plumlee has also played a key part in the Blue Devil''s undefeated start, showing a wide of variety of low-post moves in averaging 11 points, including a dominant 25-point performance against Marquette last Monday.  The Indiana native also pulls down 8.5 boards a game, and his presence on the glass makes him difficult to handle. Garrick Sherman, Delvon Roe, and Adreian Payne have a tough job matching up against not only Plumlee, but also his frontcourt mate, senior Kyle Singler. The 6'8", 230-pound forward  averages 16.2 points a game, and has also displayed versatility and shooting touch. If  the Spartans hope to contain that duo, they'll need improved defensive effort and communication, something they've struggled with at times this year.

Coming off of a less-than-encouraging win over Tennessee Tech in which they turned the ball over 17 times, MSU will yet again have to place an emphasis on extending possessions and making smart decisions on offense. If the Spartans can keep their giveaways at or under 13, they'll be in the game late, and if they can pair that effort with stellar performances from their two leading scorers (Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers), they'll definitely have a shot to win. Although MSU hasn't faced a challenge this tough this season, Tom Izzo-coached teams are always prepared to play in big games. On a national stage, under the bright lights, we'll see just how battle-ready these Spartans are.

--Beau

Any Given Sunday...

Across the NFL, so many different story lines can unfold in a huge number of ways, on any possible day. We get the opportunity to see stars rise to prominence, and teams fall from grace. We see the rewards of hard work, and the cautionary tales of overblown egos, and things like these can be seen in each and every game, no matter the final score.

Among the rising stars, we saw a great duel between two under-30 quarterbacks in Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers. The two gunslingers combined to go 50-of-63 for 541 yards and 2 TD's, and each displayed impressive arm strength and mobility. However, Ryan got the better of Rodgers in this showdown, and played cool under pressure in leading the Falcons down the field for the eventual game-winning field goal. The 20-17 win by Atlanta drops the Packers to second place in the NFC North, and leaves the Bears in sole possession of first place in that division.

On that note, despite the Eagles' loss to Chicago, Michael Vick looked like a high-caliber NFL quarterback, both in the pocket and on the run. The former Falcons star topped 300 yards passing for the second game this season, and put both touch and zip on passes all across the field in completing 29 throws to eight different receivers. In addition to that, Vick was Philadelphia's second-leading rusher, and put Philly in the game late with an on-the-money scoring throw to TE Brent Celek.
His counterpart, Jay Cutler, rose to the occasion and displayed serious competitive fire in leading the Bears to their fourth straight win.  If Cutler has many more four-touchdown, zero-interception performances (as he did today), Chicago will be tough to beat the rest of the way.

We also got the chance to see several close games between hard-charging teams. The Buffalo Bills stayed with the Ben Roethlisberger-led Steelers step for step, right into an extra overtime period. To make that possible though, Buffalo had to rally from 13 points down, before dropping the game on a Shaun Suisham field goal. Suisham's four-field goal effort, combined with the Bills' unfortunate luck (WR Steve Johnson dropped an almost-sure touchdown just 4:30 into overtime) helped Pittsburgh escape with a 19-16 victory, and hit the eight-win mark through the season's first 12 weeks.
Cleveland also escaped with a narrow victory, thanks to a botched special teams play, however. John Kasay's near-miss on a late field goal drops the Panthers to 1-10, and puts them in position to pick at the top of the NFL draft next spring. While Carolina did show fight in roaring back from a 14-point deficit before losing 24-23, it's clear they're woefully talent-deficient.

And so, we'll turn the page on yet another week in the NFL. The many different tales that play out time after time show us that competition is cut-throat, that only the strongest survive, and that anything really is possible....especially on Sunday.

--Beau

Spartans-Nittany Lions Game Recap

Going into Saturday's tilt with Penn State, MSU had some significant history pressing down upon them. There was the knowledge that no Spartan team had won in Happy Valley in 45 years. There were the memories of their 31-point defeat two seasons prior. And most of all, there was the pressure of capturing a share of the Big Ten title for the first time in 20 years. But, this Michigan State team was able to push all of that history to the backburner, and focus solely on delivering a great effort. In beating Penn State 28-22 today, they defied pre-season expectations, and left all Spartan fans with a regular season to remember.

For the eleventh time in twelve weeks, the Spartans came out on top on a fall Saturday, and in this game specifically, they did it the same way the always have: through toughness and desire. From the very start, MSU established control of the game with a 9-play, 71 yard drive, capped off with a tough Edwin Baker scoring run. They held a chokehold on the game well into the third quarter, and in limiting Penn State to only three first-half points, put together their best two opening quarters of the Big Ten season.

That early cushion would prove to be crucial, as the Nittany Lions roared back to life with a 19-point fourth quarter. Even after Penn State received a lucky break in the form of a Trenton Robinson interception-turned-fumble, the Spartans recovered their last-ditch onside kick effort, and maintained their composure. Although this wasn't a statistically impressive game (State threw for only 152 yards, and ran for 163), MSU came out on top because they avoided penalties and turnovers, while Penn State, on the other hand, committed eight infractions and turned the ball over once late in the game. Despite allowing Matt McGloin to throw for 312 yards, they contained senior RB Evan Royster to just 85 yards on the ground, and that effort in itself was also a key to victory.

Going into the game, MSU knew they would need a stellar effort to escape Happy Valley with a win. But, in playing with heart, tougness, and desire, the Spartans leave Penn State more than just winners. Above anything else, they leave as champions.

--Beau

Michigan State-UConn and Spartans-Nittany Lions Preview

For the second straight game in the Maui Invitational, Michigan State found themselves in a dogfight. The only difference was that in this instance, the opponent was a Divison I, Big East ballclub, and not a D-2 school with an enrollment of just over 1,000. In losing 70-67 to Connecticut,the Spartans showed that despite being ranked second in the country, they still have a good deal of work to do to reach the elite levels they aspire to.

Unfortunately, they struggled again in terms of free-throw shooting (75% from the line, only a minor improvement from their previous contest against Chaminade) and turnovers (13, to only 12 assists).  In addition, five Spartans who logged double-digit minutes combined to score only 22 points between them. If State wants to win games going forward, they'll need better balance. However, offensive firepower won't be the only thing MSU will need in the future. Michigan State will have to commit to a better defensive effort. In this particular contest, they gave up 30 points alone to Huskies guard Kemba Walker. Although Walker had been scoring at will in prior games (30.3 points per game on the season), the Spartans can't allow every team's leading scorer to gouge them so mercilessly, especially with a visit to Duke on the way in eight days.
In terms of other key points in the contest, State showed that while they do possess experience, their judgement will need to improve in certain areas. Specifically, a late turnover by Korie Lucious, when the Spartans still had one timeout left, is a prime example. But, a home date with Tennessee Tech  on Sunday presents the perfect opportunity for Michigan State to improve in several key facets, and given the importance of their upcoming games, I think they'll do just that.

As mentioned earlier today, MSU's gridiron warriors have an extremely important contest on the way Saturday. Penn State presents a tough test, despite their four losses. They've posted solid marks across the board in terms of passing (58th nationally), and rushing (148.2 yards a contest), and have a dangerous weapon in Evan Royster. Although the senior running back struggled these past two weeks, with a total of just 97 rushing yards, he ran for 134 on just 25 carries against Northwestern, and posted a total of 150  on the ground against Michigan. In addition to running the football, the Nittany Lions have displayed an improved aerial attack in winning four out of five games with walk-on turned starter Matt McGloin under center. In games where McGloin tops 225 yards, PSU is 3-0. But, with a Spartan secondary coming off of a game in which they limited Purdue's spread offense to just 189 yards through the air, MSU should be well-prepared to defend Penn State.

Michigan State's entire season has led them to this point. After countless hours of training, lifting, practice, and film sessions, the Spartans have finally put themselves in position to win one of the championships their coach talks about so frequently. But, the task won't be easy. To leave Happy Valley ahead on the scoreboard at the end of Saturday, Michigan State will have to deliver a focused, discplined effort. They'll need to step up and perform in crucial situations. And most importantly, in a hostile environment, surrounded by 107,000 ruthless enemies, they'll have be ready to go, right from the opening kickoff. This is their one opportunity at Big Ten glory. Something tells me these Spartans will seize it.

--Beau

The Maui Invitational, Spartan Football, and The NBA

Over the years, the Maui Invitational has become known for many things: great scenery, a terrific atmosphere and excellent pre-season basketball, among others. However, Michigan State most certainly didn't expect competition from Chaminade to go along with their visit to the exotic locale, and that's certainly what they got last night. In scraping out a narrow 82-74 win over the Division II Silverswords, the Spartans advanced to face Conneticut, in the meantime getting a crystal-clear picture of what might happen if they overlook an opponent in similar fashion.

In playing to a halftime draw, Michigan State clearly struggled to get going. Nowhere were these issues more evident than on defense, where the Spartans were torched by 5'6" guard Steven Bennett, who scored 13 of Chaminade's 39 first-half points. Even after the break, Michigan State was unable to pull away, and at one point found themselves down by eight to the host, before going on an 11-0 run to take control of the contest.

Despite an underwhelming effort on the boards,(where the Spartans were outrebounded by three overall), MSU won thanks to stellar senior leadership. Although across the board they have much room for improvement, Coach Izzo should be encouraged with the play of senior point guard Kalin Lucas, who netted a career-high 28 points in carrying State. He'll be a huge part of the Spartans' success against UConn and throughout the season, but Izzo's players will need to first shore up their free-throw shooting (73.7% from behind the line), and ballhandling (13 giveaways versus 13 assists). With a short turnaround, the Spartans should come to play with their weak areas in mind, and I feel they'll get better against the Huskies.

Flying back across the country though, to this very campus, the Spartan football team finds themselves on the brink of at least a share of the Big Ten title, with an intriguing opponent before them. Penn State is 7-4 overall, with conference setbacks to Iowa and Ohio State, and a 20-point loss to an equally competitive and perplexing Illinois team (who surrendered 65 points to U-M and lost to 2-9 Minnesota in consecutive weeks). However, Michigan State has lost eight times in Happy Valley since the inception of the Land Grant Trophy, and recent trips haven't been so kind to the Spartans. In their last visit, they lost 49-18, in a game
that also had Big Ten title implications.
Nearly every current impact player remembers full well the agony of that outcome.That experience should  provide tremendous motivation in itself, and with even more at stake, MSU should be ready for a four-quarter fistfight from the opening bell.

Looking around the world of professional basketball, certain teams are most definitely beginning to rise above the rest. Specifically, the Boston Celtics looked dominant in builiding a 26-point first-quarter cushion
over the eight-win Hawks last night, and at 10-4, they lead the race for the Eastern Conference's best record. If the Celtics continue to get double-figure scoring from four of their five starters (as they did in beating Atlanta by 23), they'll definitely be tough to stop. Outside of Boston though,the San Antonio Spurs sit atop the Western Conference, thanks to an 11-game winning streak in which they topped the century mark eight times. Although it's early in the season, the rate at which they've been winning games is impressive, and they'll certainly be at the forefront of the Western Conference playoff race in the coming months.

But, whether it be MSU basketball, Spartan football, or the world of professional sports, speculation and predictions are one thing. The results show themselves from baseline-to-baseline, and in between the stripes, every single day. That's what we as sports fans look forward to, and that's why they play the games.

--Beau

NFL Recap

Once again, this Sunday's NFL action has shown us exactly why football is America's most popular sport. We saw extraordinary comebacks, thrilling finishes, and as always many ups-and-downs, all in the course of a few hours, and all in just a dozen or so contests.

Among the more notable games, the New York Jets rallied late to beat the Houston Texans on a Mark Sanchez-to-Santonio Holmes touchdown in a down-to-the-wire victory. At 8-2, New York has put themselves in a prime position at the top of the AFC East. However, they find themselves
right in front of  Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, who also sit at 8-2 after beating Indianapolis earlier today. The Patriots 'D' stepped up and delivered by picking off the normally unflappable Peyton Manning 3 times, in the process styming the Colts' late charge. The match-up between those two teams on December 6th will without a doubt be a great one. Although the Jets knocked off Tom Brady and Co. earlier this year, the Patriots are undefeated at home this year, and they rarely find themselves behind in Foxboro. I'll take the Patriots in that one-after all, it helps to have a Super Bowl MVP under center in crucial late-season games.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we've seen former stars struggle mightily this season, and Sunday provided prominent examples of just those types of situations. Brett Favre threw for just 208 yards in an ugly 28-point Vikings loss to the Packers-his former team has now swept that season series, and it's clearer than ever that Favre is but a shadow of his former self. Perhaps all of the missed training camp practices are finally catching up to him, but we've seen first-hand the type of dysfunction that exists in that locker room over these past few weeks, between not only Favre and head coach Brad Childress, (who've had several well-publicized power struggles),but Childress and the rest of Favre's teammates, who've anonymously noted in newspaper interviews just how much they disagree with his style.
Another former set of stars has also experienced challenges this year, and it's a safe bet that neither Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens will want them covered on their respective reality shows.
Although Owens will most likely top 1,000 yards receiving, Ochocinco has caught a mere three touchdowns this year, and to make matters worse, their Cincinnati Bengals blew a 31-14 halftime lead in losing 49-31 to the 2-8 Buffalo Bills. So far, their many off-season predictions and publicity appearances haven't translated into wins.

But, such is the beauty (and horror) of the NFL. The numerous storylines, intriguing games, and fascinating personalities make it worth watching each and every week. That's why I'll keep coming back, time after time. For more on college football, MSU basketball, and the world of sports, check back later this week.

--Beau

Michigan State-Purdue Recap

For much of Saturday, Michigan State played like a team coming off of a bye week, facing a 6-loss opponent in a game that didn't seem to matter much. At other points, they played like a team set on fire. Let's hope that we'll see more of that Michigan State team,who rose up to knock off Purdue 35-31 on Saturday, despite surrendering 21 points before intermission

Unlike the Spartans' last on-field effort, in which they controlled Minnesota from the start in rolling to a 23-point win, MSU struggled well within the game's opening minutes. Purdue's second drive lasted a grand total of 2 plays, and culminated in an 80-yard touchdown scamper by RB Keith Carlos. Following a poorly-thrown Kirk Cousins pass-turned pick six, MSU found itself down by 7 in the first quarter, at home, on Senior Day.

However, in what has come to define the Spartans' Big Ten season, they rallied to outscore Purdue 22-3 over the game's final two quarters, getting a much better effort from Cousins along the way. In fact, the Spartans' junior QB played a part in all 3 touchdowns, delivering two scores through the air and one two-point conversion, while rushing for MSU's final points. In playing with an injured shoulder and ankle, he showed true grit, much as the rest of his teammates did in coming up with huge plays. Among the many players who stood out, seniors Mark Dell (with two TD's and a fingertip catch on a two-point conversion ), and Chris L. Rucker (with a late interception), rose up to the challenge of delivering a comeback, and in doing so, propelled the Spartans to victory.

In addition to those efforts, State also got a huge play on special teams, courtesy of LB Denicos Allen. For the first time all season, MSU delivered a blocked punt, which resulted in a short field and the ensuing Cousins TD run. Yet again, Michigan State used any and all means necessary to win.

In spite of being down by double digits twice in the game's final quarter, and in spite of facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, these Spartans once again found a way to emerge victorious. The box score might show low rushing yardage and a less-than-stellar first quarter effort, but the end result speaks volumes about State's focus and determination. More than anything, it shows that the Spartans are winners. On any given Saturday, sometimes that's all that matters.

--Beau

Michigan State-Purdue and MSU-USC

There are plenty of great, exciting things going on in the world of sports right now, and particularly with Michigan State athletics,especially on a day-to-day basis. The men's soccer team will host the first round of the NCAA Tournament today, the women's basketball (ranked 25th in the country) and men's hockey (currently 17th in the polls) teams have posted fine starts to their respective seasons, and the men's basketball squad improved to 2-0 on Tuesday night, among other things.

But, lookling ahead to the next few days, the Spartans' upcoming Senior Day football tilt with Purdue looms particularly large. As mentioned on Tuesday, the Boilermakers have lost four conference games in a row, but don't count them out. Although the team has struggled to accumulate wins, they do have some weapons, and in particular one defensive threat in Ryan Kerrigan. The 6'4", 263-pound defensive end was named a semi-finalist for the Lombardi, Bednarik and Lott awards this past week, and has the numbers to back those credentials up: 11.5 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, both Big Ten-leading marks.
 It'll be particularly interesting to see how the Spartans attack him with their run-heavy offense. If MSU wants to reach the 10-win plateau for just the third time in school history, they must establish the run early, and avoid giving Purdue any hope for a victory by limiting turnovers and mistakes. I think they're up to that challenge.

Reviewing the Spartan basketball team's effort on Tuesday night, several things can be gleaned from their 82-73 primetime victory over South Carolina. Among the most notable occurrences: Korie Lucious' rather-sloppy return to the court, with five turnovers versus 3 assists, and no points in 18 minutes. However, these errors were eliminated thanks in part to 22 points from Durrell Summers, and 12 rebounds from Draymond Green, who stepped up and led the Spartans alongside Kalin Lucas. Despite suffering a second-half ankle injury, Lucas still made an impact with a team-leading 7 assists in 29 minutes. This shows that above all else, the Spartans have a good deal of balance at this point in the season. However, they are also unmistakeable issues that still need fixing.  MSU shot a clanky 50% from the free-throw line over 34 attempts, and let South Carolina close to within six in the games' final minutes despite a large second-half lead.
But, Tom Izzo-coached teams have perenially bounced back from early season issues such as these, and I have no doubt that these will be corrected with more on-floor action.

For now though, both the football and basketball teams can only get back to work, and prepare for their forthcoming battles. I'd be surprised if they weren't ready for the great challenges that lie ahead. They are Spartans, after all.

--Beau

Michigan State-Purdue Early Preview and Spartan Basketball

One last walk across the Red Cedar River. One last trip by Sparty. One last run through the tunnel, onto the field, to the piercing staccato of "Thunderstruck". And, most importantly, one final battle in Spartan Stadium. This is the reality for the senior members of this year's Spartan football team, and on Saturday, they'll get one last chance, and one final shot, at glory in East Lansing.

But, this upcoming contest is more than just Senior Day. First and foremost, it's a terrific opportunity for Michigan State to ease themselves one step closer to a top-notch bowl game. In reviewing their opponent, they certainly have a great chance to do just that. Purdue limps into East Lansing having lost four straight conference games, and carrying the weight of six overall defeats on their shoulders. In fact, they've fallen by double-digits in each of those contests, and boast a 31-20 loss to Toledo, whose defense recently surrendered 65 points....to Northern Illinois.

All things considered, the Boilermakers have struggled in nearly every facet, and this explains their current record. In rotating two quarterbacks, they've averaged a mere 138.6 passing yards per contest, and only put up an average of 17.4 points per game (these marks rank 115th and 113th in the NCAA, respectively).  They've also given up 30-plus points in three of their conference losses, a statistic which favors the Spartans, who've topped that figure in eight of their nine wins this season.

But, while the football team doesn't gear up until Saturday, the Spartan men's basketball team actually tips off later today, at 10pm against South Carolina. That game is the anchor contest for ESPN's 24-hour college basketball marathon, and that time slot actually received the highest ratings of any featured contest over that same time span last year. I expect similar numbers nationwide, and most definitely another Spartan victory. Although the Gamecocks boast Sam Muldrow, (who averaged 3.1 blocks last season and came out strong with 20 points in their season opener), South Carolina doesn't have enough talent across the board to compete with MSU, as was the case with EMU last Friday. I look for a solid MSU win to send the Spartans to Maui next week.

More on Purdue-MSU, Spartan Basketball, and the NBA later this week.

--Beau

College Football Weekend Review

From the start of the first game of this past weekend, Friday night's Boise State-Idaho tilt (which the Broncos won resoundingly), to the last games on Saturday night, the world of college football experienced a rollercoaster-like series of ups-and-downs, and shocking victories and defeats.
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Most notably, top-ranked Oregon narrowly defeated California, 15-13 in Berkeley. The Ducks escaped thanks to a missed 29-yard field goal following a false start by kicker Giorgio Tavecchio late in the game-Oregon should consider themselves incredibly lucky that they won despite scoring only one offensive touchdown, and both polls reflect that, as they lost a total of 14 votes between both the Associated Press and coaches' polls, despite holding on to the top spot.

Across the country, the second-ranked Auburn Tigers faced similar on-field adversity, rallying to defeat Georgia 49-31 after trailing 21-7. Despite dealing with an intense investigation by both the NCAA and now the FBI, QB Cam Newton accounted for four total TD's and 153 rushing yards-that statline looks extremely impressive, regardless of whether or not the allegations surrounding Newton are true, although most of the evidence points towards his guilt at this point. That news, however, pales slightly in comparison to the rest of the day's college football action.

In seeing other hourly updates throughout the evening, pollsters and football pundits were undoubtedly shocked to see another upset brewing, this one in Fort Worth,Texas. There, third-ranked TCU was also forced to come back from an early deficit,and throughout that game, San Diego State gave the Horned Frogs all that they could handle in losing by a mere five points On that note, the Aztecs might be one of the most underrated 7-win teams in the country.

Looking at the Big Ten race, Northwestern delivered a crushing blow to Iowa's conference title hopes in winning 21-17. QB Dan Persa was key in carrying the Wildcats to a victory, and that Hawkeyes loss eliminates them from the series of ties atop the Big Ten, which bolsters MSU's own position. Among the teams involved in that tie, Ohio State also rallied to win, knocking off Penn State 38-14.  For a look back at that game, see my wrap-up of OSU-PSU below.

The Michigan State Spartans get back to work on Monday, with the Purdue Boilermakers on the way. For an early preview of that contest and more thoughts from the world of sports, check back here later this week.

--Beau

MSU-EMU Notes and Ohio State-Penn State Wrap-up

After one game versus an inferior MAC opponent, the Michigan State men's basketball team is right where we expected them to be: undefeated at 1-0. In handling the Eastern Michigan Eagles 96-66 last night at the Breslin Center, this Spartan team showed several promising signs of what could be on the way. Six Spartans reached double figures, led by Kalin Lucas with 18 points. Judging by the way he moved, shot and drove last night, he looks to be almost completely recovered from last season's injuries, which is great news for MSU.

In addition to his impressive night, Michigan State got ten-plus points from five others, including freshman point guard Keith Appling, who filled in nicely for Lucas in several stretches throughout the game. Along with a solid show of team balance, the Spartans also displayed the ability to push the ball, and shot relatively impressively from deep (52.5 % from the field and 46.5% from beyond the arc).

While these statistics are notable, MSU did struggle in two areas specifically: foul shooting and turnovers. State made just 28-of-42 shots from the stripe, good for only 66.7%. In addition, they also gave the ball away 20 times, against 18 assists. The Spartans will without a doubt have to shore up these problem areas , because success in the near future and throughout the season depends on it.

Transitioning to the world of college football, and College GameDay's featured contest, Penn State got off to a strong start in building  a 14-3 first-half lead over Ohio State in Columbus. After 3 significant gains to start the game for Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes, PSU forced a field goal, and responded with their first-ever passing TD in Columbus under Joe Paterno, a stat which is surprising in itself. QB Matt McGloin displayed extreme confidence  in delivering another well-placed scoring strike later in the half, and to top that, the Nittany Lions held Pryor to just 12 yards on the ground, all of which contributed to their early dominance.

However, it was disheartening for both Penn State fans and myself to see the Buckeyes re-group in the second half and put together a lengthy, 11-play, 96 yard scoring drive to pull within 4 of the Nittany Lions. Shortly thereafter, McGloin delivered his first interception this season, and just like that, a pick six led to a 17-14 OSU lead. That turnover was extremely ill-timed for Penn State, as the Buckeyes reeled off 2 more scores to take a commanding 31-14 lead before delivering the final kill shot, a short rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Ohio State's resounding comeback and eventual 38-14 win re-affirmed several key points. First and foremost, the Buckeyes demonstrated a great deal of toughness in rallying to win.  They also showed why they're perpetually at the top of the Big Ten: they consistently recruit extremely talented players who fit their system, among many other things. Yet, I'd still like to see a head-to-head matchup between this year's Ohio State and Michigan State teams-I'll take Coach Dantonio's Spartans against anybody, any day of the week.

While a Buckeye loss would've helped Michigan State tremendously in the conference race, the Spartans still gained valuable position thanks to to an inspired Northwestern victory over the 13th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. In order to maintain their conference title aspirations, they'll have to keep winnning....and at least this weekend, sit back and watch others fall by the wayside.

Look back here tomorrow for a wrap-up of the day's college football action.

--Beau

Ohio State-Penn State Preview

With Michigan State in the midst of a much-needed bye week, I've chosen instead to examine another game with Big Ten conference title implications, Penn State's forthcoming visit to Columbus,Ohio,where the ninth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes await.

This year's conference race has been both extremely competitive and incredibly confusing for fans, as a number of different scenarios could play out in this last month, only some of which could be beneficial for the Spartans. Based on both MSU's lower BCS ranking and the lack of a head-to-head matchup with Ohio State, a loss by the Buckeyes would be good news for Michigan State's postseason hopes this fall.

However, the major question remains as to what squad will actually be able to knock off OSU before season's end. Wisconsin has shown us that it's definitely possible, and in order to win, the Nittany Lions will have to replicate the Badgers' efforts. Specifically, PSU needs to contain QB Terrelle Pryor as successfully as Wisconsin did: they held him to 14 completions for a mere 156 yards, and eliminated his threat as a runner, bottling him up for only 3.1 yards per carry in a 13-point win.

Staying on that side of the ball, the Nittany Lions' defense has played down in losses to Alabama and Illinois, surrendering a combined 822 yards in losing by an average of almost 21 points. But, in defeating Michigan and Northwestern these past two weekends, that group displayed better effort, and they'll definitely need similar success if they hope to beat Jim Tressel's group.

In addition to a solid defensive showing, Penn State will have to rush the football extremely well, mainly to keep the ball out of Pryor's hands. In 2 of their 3 conference wins, the Nittany Lions have done just that, running for more yards than their opponent, and in beating U of M, received 150 yards and two scores from RB Evan Royster. Similar numbers from their senior ballcarrier would be ideal on Saturday.
To top that, they'll also need steady play from former walk-on turned starting QB Matt McGloin. In the past 2 weeks, McGloin has delivered rock-solid results, throwing 5 scores against zero interceptions-if the game is close, PSU can't afford an ill-timed turnover from their new starter.

No matter what the statistics, box scores, or game previews say though, Saturday's match-up will be a physical Big Ten battle, and the winner will without a doubt run the football effectively, limit turnovers, and most of all, play tougher to-a-man than their opponent. For once, I'll be rooting for the Nittany Lions.

--Beau

Spartan Basketball and the NBA

Every single year, the opening of basketball season is perhaps one of the most exciting events on this campus, and on Friday, tip-off will finally be here, as the Spartans open play against Eastern Michigan. Both players and coaches have set their sights towards Houston and next spring's Final Four, and considering what we've seen in the Spartans' two exhibition games, anything else than at least a return trip to the group of four would be an extreme disappointment in my mind.

While too much shouldn't be read into MSU's decisive pre-season wins over Saginaw Valley State and Nebraska-Omaha, basketball is still basketball, and clearly this Spartan team can play it at a high level, as they demonstrated in routing UNO 102-72 last night. In particular, we saw double-digit efforts from 5 Spartans, including a 25-point effort by Kalin Lucas, whose intense off-season rehabilitation appears to be paying dividends. On top of that, Korie Lucious contributed six assists in his first live-game action this season, and Durrell Summers demonstrated outstanding athletic ability (as we've come to expect from him) in converting both a spinning lay-up and a high-flying alley-oop.  In fact, at one point he and Draymond Green accounted for all 11 Spartan points on an early, game-changing run. Among others in Green-and-White to top 10 points: Keith Appling with 15, and Draymond Green with 16. Looking at other key figures, MSU rebounded well (a 52-32 edge over the Mavericks), and also pulled down 20 offensive boards.

For Friday's game against Eastern Michigan, I expect we'll see a fast start by the Spartans, and beneficial in-game experience for their young stable of contributors,  including Keith Appling and Adreian Payne.  Although the Eagles do return 11 letterwinners from a squad that finished two games above .500 last year, Coach Izzo will have his team geared against a season-opening upset, and to top that, I feel EMU simply doesn't have enough talent to hang with the Spartans in the Breslin Center.

Transitioning to the world of professional basketball (where we might see some of this year's Spartans in the future), the Lakers and Hornets have ripped off a combined 13 consecutive wins to open the season. In particular, New Orleans knocked off 3 teams in this past week which finished last year .500 or better, and did it all behind Chris Paul, who averaged 17 points in that stretch. The race between those teams in the West will be intriguing to watch as the season plays out, as they won't meet head-to-head until December 29. But, in the immediate future for the Hornets: a four-game roadtrip scheduled to tip off on the 21st, in which they visit both Utah and Portland. Examining the Eastern Conference, both Boston and Atlanta have opened the season 6-2; those teams aren't scheduled to meet until December 16th, but 'til then, the three-way battle for East supremacy between those 2 squads and the Orlando Magic should be fascinating to follow.

Check back here later this week for a breakdown of this weekend's "College Gameday" spotlight contest, Ohio State verus Penn State,as the Spartans have a bye.

--Beau

College Football and The NFL

It's certainly been an action-packed two days across the world of football. From high-scoring college games to professional battles around the country, we've seen a great deal of defining moments.

Perhaps the most eye-popping score came right out of Ann Arbor, where the Wolverines knocked off Illinois 67-65 in three overtimes. That score represents the highest number of points ever scored between two Big Ten schools, but despite their alarming lack of defense, U-M finds itself bowl-eligible for the first time under Rich Rodriguez.

In looking at games with bigger implications than just bowl eligibility, TCU thoroughly dominated Utah, 47-7, to keep a firm grasp on the third BCS spot. This was the last major hurdle for TCU, and should they finish undefeated, there'll be a gridlock among two no-loss mid-majors, assuming Boise State runs the table in a weak WAC. I'm curious to see how that scenario will play out, as is the rest of the Top 10, I'm sure.

Of the teams who round out that group, LSU helped itself the most this weekend by beating Alabama 24-21. Their incredible team speed (which they used again to great effect, with 275 yards on the ground) is a huge asset in an already-fast SEC, and they've now put themselves in position to claim an SEC division title. In the Big Ten, Wisconsin moved up to the 7th spot nationally by defeating Purdue by 21, and Iowa made a late push to knock off the Hoosiers-as the season progresses, a Hawkeye loss would be extremely beneficial to the Spartans' Big Ten title hopes.

Switching gears to examine the NFL, I was perhaps most surprised by the Browns' 34-14 defeat of the Patriots. In leading his troops to victory, Eric Mangini has done something few other Bill Belichick products have done: beat their former boss. With a 6-2 record, there's no denying that the Patriots are right in thick of a tight AFC East race, but the loss must still be troubling to Pats fans.  Around the league, both the Vikings and Jets pulled out narrow victories-I was shocked to see New York go into an extra period with Detroit, and yet this points towards a return to competitiveness for the Lions, who might've let such a game get out of hand in past years.

Look back here later this week for analysis of the NBA and also Spartan basketball.

--Beau

Michigan State-Minnesota In Review

Going into today's game, the Spartans knew that they would have to start quickly and shake off last week's battle wounds to take the first steps towards a victory. The initial challenge came in actually doing that, but after Minnesota's first drive ended in a missed field goal and MSU responded with an Edwin Baker score, they had provided just the response Spartan Nation needed.

MSU took care of businesss today by doing exactly what they've done so well in earlier games: outrushing their opponent and playing capable defense while limiting offensive mistakes (minus one late Kirk Cousins interception). It was encouraging to see Baker pile up yardage in big chunks on his way to 179 yards and four touchdowns, and it appears he has a chokehold on the starting spot. That's good news for a team that averaged under 80 yards on the ground in their past three contests, and even better for a team entering its last two Big Ten games this month.

It was also encouraging to see the offense score twice on fourth-and-goal gambles, while the defense came up big with a fourth-down stop of its own. Throughout the rest of the game, the Spartans held Gopher QB Adam Weber to 167 yards (55 below his season average),and picked him off once. Considering Iowa threw for three touchdowns against MSU last week, this is a great recovery by the State defense.

Across the board as well, the Spartans appear to have recovered. There were no major turnovers or penalties, long scoring drives by the opposition,or depleting mental mistakes, all of which cost them a shot at victory against the Hawkeyes.

Throughout the week, Coach Dantonio and his staff emphasized the need to bounce back against Minnesota, while improving in all areas of the game. In watching today's effort, it's crystal clear that this team did just that, and in a big way. They came out firing on all cylinders from the start, ran the football with abandon and unwavering commitment, and minimized every issue that morphed into a problem in Iowa City. These are all extremely positive signs going forward, and in particular, into battles with Purdue and Penn State.

But first, the Spartans get a week off. For now, glory will wait.

--Beau