Interview with a Spartan

Not nearly this cool

As a part of our Spartravaganza today, we've got resident blogger of Ground Zero East Lansing here to discuss a little Michigan State. Along with running a fine blog, G0EL Pete is also the only Spartan I know who has a sense of humor regarding Michigan, making him just short of awesome. Unfortunately, I was unable to line up an Ohio State blogger for questioning, partly because I never asked, but mostly because none of them can read. On to the questions!

Ok, we're bound by our contract to ask this question first: Who is the player on Ohio State who scares you the most?

That'd be Beanie. It's more of MSU's experiences with past Big 10 running backs (Thigpen, Greene and Sutton all broke the 100 yard barrier) that factors into this fear than anything else. If Beanie is breaking into the secondary consistently, that's going to allow OSU to go into the Jim Tressel patented "try and hold the ball for all 60 minutes" mode.

Are there any particular nuances about Beanie vs. the Run Defense that we should know about?

Obviously, in the run game, so much of it comes down to blocking along the line. If the OSU OL gets out on their blocks, the guards pull and block the Spartan LB, it's going to lead to big, big gains. Which means of course, big, big trouble in Spartan Stadium.

Defensively, Greg Jones remains my favorite Spartan. We have a tag devoted to him. He's tall, and a really sweet guy, and well, I just really like him :) :) ...How is he doing this year; do you expect him to have a big game this weekend?

Greg Jones has had a solid year. He's currently leading the team in tackles (52) and ranks second in tackles for a loss (5.5). If MSU wins this game on Saturday, I expect him to have a big if quiet day in which he records more than 10 tackles. If he has less than that, it means one of two things: Beanie Wells is running into the secondary or Pryor is throwing it over Jones' head. I'm going to go out on a huge limb and say the former is much more likely to happen than the latter; if Tressel could super-glue the ball into Terrelle's hands, I have no doubt that he would.

Ok, so what is Michigan State's achilles heel defensively? Does OSU have the ability to exploit it, or will MSU be able to cover it up?

In a stunner this year, it's not the secondary. I'd say it's the inability of the front seven to stop the run consistently. OSU definitely has the ability to exploit it, if they don't turn the ball over. MSU is +10 in turnover differential this year, and have stopped many drives in the red zone by causing a fumble or interception (Case in point: Iowa.) The Spartans have been covering up this deficiency by causing turnovers, but if they don't get any against OSU...look out.

Switching gears to the offense, most of the teams that MSU has faced thus far have lacked to ability to stack the line and stop Ringer from killing them. Ohio State has the ability to do just that. How do you expect Hoyer to play should Ringer be slowed?

Well, Ringer has slowed a bit in Big Ten play (his YPC in the last three games: 4.5, 3.6, 3.5). Ohio State definitely has the ability to stack the line. I expect Ringer's production to be much similar to the Iowa game. Iowa had a killer DL, and OSU has killer LBs, so I expect Ringer's YPC in the mid threes. I expect MSU to run it enough to set up the play action and deep pass for Hoyer, who has improved in Big Ten play (I believe he's the third ranked passer in Big 10 games). The thing that can't happen is that he can't play like he did in Columbus last year, where he completed under 50% of his passes and threw for just over 100 yards. I expect Hoyer to be his solid, unspectacular self, throw for about 200 yards on 55-60% passing, with a TD and no picks.

As for the "We'll stop Ringer and let Hoyer beat us" strategy, ask Indiana, Iowa, and Northwestern how that went.

Right. Regarding the inevitable tailspin?

I've got two and a half words for you: John L. Smith. Now that Dantonio is the the head coach, MSU is playing much more consistently (for example: I guarantee you that in this OSU game, unlike three years ago, eleven players will take the field for a FG attempt. That was the game most known for "THE PLAYERS ARE PLAYING THEIR TAILS OFF, AND THE COACHES ARE SCREWING IT UP!" That was the tailspin moment for 2005.). The secondary is intercepting balls, penalties are being kept to a minimum, everybody's healthy, and nobody's slapping himself in the face.

I don't believe a loss to OSU will start that tailspin mainly because MSU's next three games are these: @ UM, Wisconsin, and Purdue. In years past, any casual viewer knew that MSU would definitely be outclassed in those games, but not anymore. Albeit, the definition of a tailspin involves a team losing games it should win, and those three games are ones in which the Spartans will be favored. I believe Dantonio has MSU too focused, and too grounded for a tailspin to occur again.

And if it does, I drink myself silly until November 16th, when MSU Basketball stats its season against Idaho. It's easier than you think, Michigan fans. Just start drinking, and don't stop until leaves are on the trees again. (ed.- My favorite line from the entire interview. A Spartan with a sense of humor...love it.)

Minnesota with Special Guest Gopher Nation!

A few notes:

1) I am in meetings literally all day, everyday for the rest of the week, and as such, posting will be light

2) Today's post comes from Gopher Nation, an excellent Minnesota blog who has agreed to help with Minnesota's preview. Please add them to your list of things involving Gophers.

B2

One thing the media will harp on that is ridiculously off base: - local media harps and harps on Brewster for comments he made at his iniitial press conference about wanting to win the Big Ten. I'm not sure what is wrong with stating that as your goal each and every season. Many took his comments as he thought he has the talent to win the Big Ten in 2007. Those were his words but the fact that his team bumbled to 1-11 has nothing to do with words he used on his first day on the job. Everything else that is harped on is valid. The defense was historically awful and is the storyline heading into season.

One thing the media will completely ignore that is integral to this team's success: - I am finding that the offense is being completely ignored. Weber had a pretty darn good season especially when you consider he was a freshman. When you compare his freshman numbers to the numbers of previous freshman starters in the Big Ten he ranks 1st in yds, 2nd in TDs (1 behind Chad Henne), 3rd in completion % and 1st in rushing yds. QBs I compared him to: Juice Williams, Kellan Lewis, Chad Henne, Jeff Smoker, Brett Basanez and Zach Mills. Nobody is talking about Weber and I think that is too bad.

Most important contributors on each side of the ball: - Weber for obvious reasons on the offensive side of the ball. If he is able to cut down on turnovers and make better decisions, both of which hopefully come with age/experience, the offense should be improved and capable of keeping us in most games.

Defensively you could make an argument for 15 guys as most important contributors. I have a few favorites who I am really excited to watch this year, but I'll go with one of my least favorite guys. Willie VanDeSteeg had a breakout sophomore season earning All Big Ten honorable mention with 10.5 sacks. Last year was a bust for WVDS as a broken hand limited him to very little productivity. But Willie is healthy and many are anticipating he'll return to his sophomore form (I'm not one of them). If he is able to wreak havoc in the backfield that will help our passing game tremendously.

Random factor that you think will come into play this season: - Home schedule. Winning a Big Ten game or two would be an encouraging step forward in year two of the Brewster plan. Getting Northwestern, Iowa and Indiana at home should give us a chance to get a win or two in conference. When your team is good, you want those as road games cause you'll win them anyway. When your team is coming off a 1-11 season you want any winable game in your own stadium.

Playmaker: Offense - WR-Eric Decker. Decker is a stud athlete. He is one of those guys you hate cause whatever he tries he is usually good at it. Decker is of course under the Big Ten radar because his team was terrible, but he will put up huge numbers and really have the athletic ability to be more than just a product of a system. He finished top 5 in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs in 2007. Look for those numbers to improve as he becomes the primary target of Weber.

Playmaker: Defense - Can I use our punter here? I'm going to go with two guys, both are incoming JUCO's who are expected to have an immediate impact. Traye Simmons (aka Big Play Traye) is expected to immediately move into a starting CB role and be an instant upgrade. Tramaine Brock is my other playmaker and he too is a defensive back coming in as a junior. Brock will start at free safety bringing a new level of speed and athleticism that was not in the defensive backfield a year ago. If these guys can earn their starting spots and are truly good enough to make a difference that will help this defense notch a 3-and-out or two.

Thanks once again to Gopher Nation for providing insight into Minnesota's season. I've got something half-cooked that should go up later this week once it's done marinating, which is perfect, because really the only way to serve Gopher is marinated.

Northwestern: with Special Guest "Lake the Posts!"

Note from the Editor:
Apparently, I did alright in my initial assessment of Northwestern last week, which is to say that I didn't piss off Lake the Posts enough to stop them from weighing in on a ridiculously early preview. Lake the Posts, for those uninitiated, is an excellent Northwestern blog. You know you're doing something right when the mothership (aka EDSBS) asks you to do a guest spot - and Lake the Posts been doing those things right for a long time now. Please add them to your daily reading if they are not already there.

B2

One thing the media will harp on that is ridiculously off base:
Fitz' lack of experience. Yes, he is the youngest DI coach, but now in his third year, he has a new offensive coordinator, Mick McCall from Bowling Green and a new defensive coordinator, Mike Hankwitz, from Wisconsin, along with a new defensive line coach. These are all of Fitz' guys, and with a senior-laden team at every key skill position, there are no excuses in 2008. This is the "every 3-4 years Northwestern threatens the upper tier of the Big Ten" year.

One thing the media will completely ignore that is integral to this team's success:
Northwestern's kick coverage teams. We were horrible last year and spotted teams 10-20 yard advantages based on a combo of bad kickoffs and bad fundamentals on coverage. [Ed - Special Teams always gets the shaft. Sincerely, ex-special teams guy...]

Most important contributors on each side of the ball:
Tyrell Sutton on offense. The heart and soul of the team and former Big Ten Freshman of the Year has been hurt much of the last two seasons. He somehow is flying way under the radar this season, and if he stays healthy will be the most significant contributor to reducing Bacher's INTs.


Area that scares you as an opponent:
Every time we have the ball, we believe we can score. Our return to the no huddle should have defensive coordinators shaking and our depth at WR and RB make the only question mark is our young offensive line - we've got 2 guys who have yet to take their first collegiate snap in game action. However, the depth of weaponry and Bacher's anticipated improvement under the tutelage of QB-friendly OC, Mick McCall are a recipe for converting all of the gaudy offensive yardage stats into actual points.

Area that makes you salivate as an opponent:
Our defense, in particular defensive end. We are placing a ton of stock in Mike Hankwitz' (DC) ability to inject instant pass rush results into what has been nearly a decade of ineptitude under former DC, Greg Colby. Considering it is essentially the same personnel as last season, we'll know relatively quickly.

Random factor that you think will come into play this season:
This is a tad ridiculous, but I've noticed that only one coach in the post WWII era has been above .500 at anytime after his second season. Fitz is four games under .500 and will be flirting with this crazy karma after what hopes to be the first non-conference sweep in 44 years. Both streaks have a chance to be snapped in 2008.

Overall Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Final Big Ten Standing: Fifth
Bowl Destination: Champs Sports Bowl (Orlando)

Iowa Football 2009 - Crystal Balls

Why isn't there a porn star named Crystal Balls?

A quick note from Beauford:

The final installment of Iowa's ridiculously early preview comes to us from as close an expert as we'll ever be in contact with. His name? Oops Pow Surprise. He writes for a fine (professional-speak for "awesomely awesome") blog called Black Heart Gold Pants, and knows more about Iowa football than I do about sleeping. I beg you to add BHGP to your daily reading if it isn't already there.

Without further ado, OPS on Iowa football:

-B2

One thing the media will harp on that is ridiculously off base:
Quarterback Jake Christensen. Obviously the quarterback is the most important position on the team, but JC's struggles were largely a result of a decimated receiving corps and a patchwork offensive line. All three should be improved this season.

One thing the media will completely ignore that is integral to this team's success:
I can't predict what the media will or won't cover, but the absolute biggest key to Iowa's success this season is the offensive line. With it, the hastily-compiled running back corps will have holes to run through and Christensen won't be running for his life a half-second after he gets the snap.

Most important contributors on each side of the ball:
OFFENSE: The Flyin' Hawaiian, Tony Moeaki. He's a highly touted tight end who's every bit as good a blocker as he is a receiver. With him, the Iowa offense succeeded in all facets (granted, it was against the Syracuse defense, but whatever). Without him, the Hawkeyes struggled. Pretty simple.

DEFENSE: LB A.J. Edds (it's pronounced Eads. I don't know why.). He's a converted tight end whose pursuit and coverage skills are nonpareil. With Sean Lee out for the season, Edds is an odds-on (pronounced oads-on--again, don't know why) favorite for 1st team All-BXI at linebacker. Then again, if he gets a touch of the injury bug, Iowa is F-U-C-T fucked.

Area that scares you as an opponent:
If Iowa has a #1 tailback emerge and if the offensive line begins to play up to Iowa standards, the Hawkeyes will be very tough to beat in 2008. The defense is as stout as it's ever been, and 17 points ought to be enough to win most games they play.

Area that makes you salivate as an opponent:
All those ifs in the preceding statement. The offensive line returns just about everybody from a stunningly inept unit in 2007, and the tailbacks are... a juco transfer who hasn't played in 18 months, another juco who's about a buck 65 soaking wet and who cannot block, someone named Jeff, someone named Jewel, aaaand this guy.



Shown above in action; below in awesomeness



Yes, Hawkeyes, run on us. We beg you.

Random factor that you think will come into play this season:

Same as every year--it's injuries. Who will be the 3 or 4 kids who get dinged up before the season and never really contribute? Will they be all backups or key starters? Can Iowa afford another season of losing everybody at receiver? (answer: NO.)

Overall Record:
This could be all over the place. With the cupcake schedule Iowa's got in front of them, 9-3 or 10-2 is totally plausible. Seriously. All their tough games are at home and they don't play OSU or Michigan. But SMQ's law of scheduling or something dictates that you should be wary of any team where the best thing you can say about them is who they don't play. Also, this team lost to WESTERN FUCKING MICHIGAN BY NINE FUCKING POINTS last season, so let's not consider many wins "automatic." Therefore, 6-6 (or, god forbid, worse) is also totally plausible too. Let's jump in the middle and say 7 or 8 wins. Probably 8, unless severe injury problems wreck the conference slate.

Final Big Ten Standing:

8-4 (4-4) is good enough for 6th.

Bowl Destination:
Being that Iowa is an attractive bowl team, they'll probably get picked up by the 4th or 5th bowl if they finish at 8-4 (4-4). That would be either the Champs or the Sun Bowl. It's better than sitting at home with the Cyclones over Christmas, but it's still not great. Remember that this Iowa team was, just 3-4 short years ago, in a four-year streak of NYD bowls that only about four or five schools in the nation could match at the time. The Sun Bowl, therefore, is not exactly where the fans want to be. Expect more off-season grumbling from Iowa City unless the Hawkeyes reach at least the Outback.