Recapping Michigan State

Finally, four years of agony and torture has ended. By the hands of Drew Dileo and the leg of Brendan Gibbons, Michigan advanced to 3-0 in the Big Ten and, looking at the bigger picture, won the program's 900th game, the most in college football.

The first thing I will say about this game is I seriously underestimated the ability of Spartan QB Andrew Maxwell. I gave him zero credit and almost looked like a fool for it -- almost. Without the play of Maxwell, Michigan State would not have been in that game.

But moving on.

What's the Dileo? It's been a common theme throughout this season to not really have the same WR step up in back to back weeks, but that's okay as long as the job gets done. This past Saturday, it was Drew Dileo.

Preview And Prediction: Michigan State

Beat State.

That's the simple slogan making it's way around social media as we near closer to the storied rivalry against Michigan State. And there isn't too much story behind it. The Spartans are at a four game winning streak against the Wolverines, and an upset Saturday in the Big House would give them a school record five straight.

That can't happen, can it?

Well, I guess it just depends on who decided to follow these simple keys to the game.

Michigan

The Wolverines are off to a great start in the Big Ten and, as coach Hoke put it, all of the team's goals are still in tact. Denard Robinson is doing what he wants at will. The defense has been shut down. It's all clicking at the right time.

Michigan State Players To Watch

It's Week 8, and the state championship is upon us once again. Personally, I don't think it could have come at a more opportune time. Michigan State has won the last 4 games, 3 in the RichRod era and last one was in the first year for Brady Hoke. Michigan comes into the game with the higher ranked defense, 3rd ranked pass defense, and a whole lot of demons to exorcise.

I wish I could say Michigan was ranked coming into the game but due to the inherent controversy that is the BCS, they are not. Winning this game could swing the difference towards that aspect. I have gone through a few message boards, and also comments from Spartan friends of mine, and they all are coming to one conclusion. This year will be the one that Michigan reasserts itself in their rightful place in the pecking order. So far MSU is ranked 104th in the nation in scoring points at 21.0 per game but also 14th in the nation at total defense, which is far behind of what I'm sure they want to be.  Don't be fooled by the 4-3 record that MSU has, but rather look deeper into the stats of some players:

Week 7 Big Ten/AP/BCS Rankings

There will always be things about college football I'll never understand. Last week Indiana pushed Michigan State to the brink and lost, and yesterday they did the same thing to Ohio State. The ghost of Knute Rockne must be in full force after yesterday's last second win in overtime against Stanford, and how that wasn't a touchdown by Taylor at the goal line I'll never agree with. Geno Smith's Heisman candidacy took a massive hit after losing to Texas 49-14. Michigan State losing to Iowa was a shocker to some, but not to others. The Spartan offense has been bad lately, and Andrew Maxwell is looking shakier every week. I do trust in the theory of quality wins vs quality losses, but when MSU loses to Iowa, who were previously beaten by CMU earlier in the season...well that just says they have a long way to go before becoming elite as many have tried to make them out to be. And I can't forget Michigan ...a team that dominated Illinois yesterday in every way possible. Illinois couldn't muster 150 yards of total offense, and were shut out by the resurgent Wolverines. The running game was effective and diverse, and there wasn't a single receiver who caught more than one pass. The balanced attack on offense and defense led to a great, resounding victory.

Previewing Big Ten Football: Michigan State

2012 is going to be a a benchmark year for the Spartans, and many questions exist. Can they replace their star quarterback? Who is going to be catching the balls? How will William Gholston fare without Jerel Worthy? Not to mention, can Dantonio finally put the Spartans among the elite in the country?


2011 Record: 11-3, 7-1 Big Ten

Returning Starters: Offense – 4, Defense – 8