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

Rebound Saturday in East Lansing....

If any one trait needed to be emphasized going into tomorrow's Michigan State-Minnesota matchup, it's the Spartans' resiliency. Following an excruciating loss last weekend, it's finally time for the Spartans to bounce back, and I'm sure the team is truly looking forward to this opportunity. They still have so much to play for, and a share of the Big Ten title (or an outright championship, depending on how Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa finish the season) still hangs in the balance.


Weber has completed 55.1% of his throws on the year.
Photo courtesy of flickr.com



The Golden Gophers do bring some talent to the table, although their record doesn't reflect it. QB Adam Weber has topped 2,000 yards despite Minnesota's inability to win games, and actually has more touchdowns than Spartan signal-caller Kirk Cousins (17 scores to Cousins' 15). But, in looking at other telling statistics, the Gophers' winning percentage is harmed not only by their defense, but also their rushing offense.  Just as Michigan State's ground game has allowed them to prosper, the Gophers' struggles in establishing the run have harmed them to no end. With only 8 rushing touchdowns between four running backs and a weak average of only 3.6 yards per attempt, Minnesota has struggled to possess the ball for long periods on offense, and had even bigger issues in diverting pressure from Weber, who's had to throw the ball nearly 31 times on average over 9 contests-by comparison, Cousins has topped that number only once this entire year.

And while the offense has had issues, the defense perpetually finds itself facing even bigger problems. As I mentioned earlier this week, the 'D' ranks 105th in points allowed, and that's not the only telling note about this squad. This particular unit of 11 also gives up 201.6 rushing yards per game, while the Spartans have averaged 193.8 yards on the ground at home-this stat clearly leans in MSU's favor on paper, and if they hope to win on Saturday, they'll need to make it a reality.

Last week, Coach Dantonio lauded the toughness and character that this team possesses, and continually stressed how the Spartans would bounce back. If they hope to keep their season alive and stay relevant in the Big Ten championship battle, they'll certainly have to heed their coach's words. But, a win Saturday won't come easily, as we saw last week. Victory will be had only if they play with a high level of concern, focus and intensity right from the start. If they do just that, they'll put themselves in positon to finish off the Gophers. And, if these Spartans are truly resilient, when the time comes to strike the final blow, they'll show no mercy.

--Beau

The NBA and Michigan State-Minnesota

One of the best things about the NBA is not only the astounding skill and ability of the athletes that play across the country, but also the number of storylines that converge on any given night.  Even this early in the season, in games that might not matter much to some fans, we already get the chance to see top-notch contests and eye-popping stats. For example: tonight features 2 of the best players in the game tipping off at the same time, yet playing vastly different opponents and bringing extremely unique storylines to the court.

Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant will both open up their fourth regular-season contest apiece tonight at 10:30, and both of them air nationwide. Durant has already hit 30 points twice this young season, and Bryant has dropped an average of 23.8 per game-if both continue to play deep into the season at their current pace, an MVP discussion might heat up.  Looking at the Lakers' schedule, its' safe to say they could rip off 5 more wins before a November 14 showdown with fellow Western Conference nemesis Phoenix. But, these 2 stars aren't the only ones making headlines.

One can't possibly bring up this year's NBA without mentioning Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. The fourth-year vet is averaging an absurd 16.8 assists per game, and with 67 dimes in his first four contests, now holds the all-time record for most assists in the season's first four games. What's more, he has a good chance to further improve his average when the Celts tip off against the Bucks tonight.

However, despite so many impressive storylines in professional basketball,it's nice to maintain a local sports perspective as well, and to that end, I'll offer my thoughts on Michigan State's upcoming opponent, the visiting Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers have dropped eight straight after a narrow season-opening victory over Middle Tennessee State, and have surrendered more than 30 points in six of those losses.Additionally, this defense ranks 105th in the country in terms of points allowed. While WR's Da'Jon McKnight and MarQueis Gray have done their part in combining for 13 touchdowns on the offensive end, its clear that their efforts haven't been enough to pull the Gophers out of this slump, nor have they allowed them to outscore anyone.

Following last week's sickening defeat, it seems that a home date with Minnesota is just what MSU needs to get back on track. But, they'll need to establish balance in terms of both their ground and aerial attacks, and start out quickly to quell any lingering unease after the Iowa City debacle. Most importantly, the Spartans need to play as if their season depends on this game, because in all reality, it truly does. If every week is the league championship game, then MSU has already backed itself into a one-loss hole. This week, they need to dig themselves out.

--Beau

NFL Recap

When the dust settled on Sunday's NFL action, a few surprises lay among the rubble. Going into the weekend, the New York Jets were tied for the league's best record, and had won five games behind Mark Sanchez. For a second-year quarterback, Sanchez had been displaying solid instincts, throwing only 2 interceptions. But, in clawing for a 9-0 victory, the Packers' defense picked the former USC star off twice, and used the leg of Mason Crosby to deliver the final blows. I personally didn't expect the Jets to play as flat as they did, and the fact that they were shut out at home is doubly shocking.

Looking at other eyebrow-raisers around the league, the Oakland Raiders evened their record at 4 wins and 4 losses behind 111 yards from Darren McFadden, and the nearby Detroit Lions matched their combined win total from the previous two years. Al Davis's team had lost their last seven  games following a win, and yet delivered another road loss to the Pete Carroll-led Seahawks, who have now fallen three times away from Seattle. The Lions showed they're slowly moving towards respectability by defeating the Redskins by 8, and the biggest surprise of many in that one revolves around the benching of QB Donovan McNabb. The former Syracuse star hadn't faced that personal affront since his rookie year, and that's as prime an example as any of how much both he and Washington have struggled this season.

Keep an eye out for the New Orleans Saints, who at 5-3 are still very much alive in the NFC playoff picture. Drew Brees demonstrated a return to form in throwing for 191 second-half yards in their 20-10 defeat of the Steelers, and one can only think that he'll continue to improve as the season goes on.  Brees' Super Bowl opponent last February, Peyton Manning, meanwhile, is leading the Colts on Monday Night Football as I type this. Although the Texans knocked off the Colts in their earlier meeting this season, I feel the Colts won't let their division rival take them down twice.

Among off-the-field NFL surprises, Brad Childress confirmed today that the Vikings will waive Randy Moss, after suffering three losses in four games with the ex-Minnesota star on the field. After only being thrown to twice in their loss to the Patriots, Moss's postgame comments (see the link for an NFL Network summary piece) were truly bizarre. Whatever the case may be, its clear that Moss has not been playing to his potential.

Look here later in the week for insight on the NBA and an early look at Michigan State-Minnesota.

--Beau