Michigan is now the ESPN Football Power Index favorite in each remaining game until hosting Ohio State on Nov. 28.
Michigan is now the ESPN Football Power Index favorite in each remaining game until hosting Ohio State on Nov. 28.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 27, 2015September 27th, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^
Makes sense. If the defense is as legit as it seems and we get the Rudock from the BYU game and not the UNLV game, we should enter that game with 1 loss.
September 27th, 2015 at 5:26 PM ^
MSU is going to be an enormous handful. They're still a really good football team and Dantonio always has them ready for the Michigan games. At night in Beaver Stadium and at Minnesota aren't going to be easy either. Lots of landmines left on the schedule. We just have to keep getting better each week!
September 27th, 2015 at 5:28 PM ^
I definitely don't think it will be easy, but I think we've looked like the best team in the Big Ten through 4 games outside of the QB spot. And with the step forward Rudock too this week, man...lot of potential for a big season.
September 27th, 2015 at 5:34 PM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 5:38 PM ^
What have I seen? They are 30-3 in their last 33 games and have handled Michigan 6 out of the last 7 years. They're a good team, and we don't know which Rudock will show up the rest of the year. Are they unbeatable? Hell no. But they are going to be a massive handful Oct 17th.
September 27th, 2015 at 5:40 PM ^
MSU has played 33 games this season?
September 27th, 2015 at 5:41 PM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 5:42 PM ^
Yeah really. Why is everyone so focused on the past? I thought we only talk about the present? Isn't that what Spartan fans have been saying for years?
September 27th, 2015 at 6:54 PM ^
the past must be relevant to poll voters who in spite of Sparty being outgained for the past three weeks in all of their wins, have been moved to the No. 2 spot without being downgraded. That respect is a function of their past record. Whether they are playing as well as Michigan will be determined, but they have the ranking at the moment to bolster any denial about their status.
I agree, however, that those who have counted this as a loss for Michigan even before the season started are smaller in number now.
September 27th, 2015 at 7:22 PM ^
as much knowledge about MSU and UM as we do from following them so closely. Those people vote on history. We can do better.
MSU was always a team that played great defense but the offense had to improve during the season. This year's defense sucks. Yes they can improve, however they don't have a new coach and new system like we do. There players should have a better handle on the game.
I don't think it's going to be a blow out because it's a rivalry game. I don't have any fear of this years Spartan team.
September 27th, 2015 at 8:55 PM ^
September 28th, 2015 at 9:50 AM ^
The day we play it, I guarantee it will be the most improtant thing in the world to Michigan and Harbaugh.
September 27th, 2015 at 8:02 PM ^
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September 27th, 2015 at 9:52 PM ^
That cool and al but, this team looks nothing like a Hoke or RR coached U of M team and they seem to be better every week. MSU's defense hasn't looked too great, while ours has been the best i've seen in over a decade.
September 27th, 2015 at 5:45 PM ^
Did I say this season? No.
What do you want me to say, that they suck? Come back down to earth dude. They're a damn good team.
September 27th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^
The point is that they haven't really proven that this year. They are not the number 2 team in the nation, not by a long shot, and they are vulnerable.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:07 PM ^
is giving up roughly 400 yards a game.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:17 PM ^
September 28th, 2015 at 2:37 AM ^
They're are a good team and they always get up for big games under Mork. I still have the Hoke mindset of atleast it's a home game. There are no gimme games really but, there are no yea we're gonna get stomped games either.
I like the fanbase getting excited and talking a lil shit, how long has it been since we been able to do that!? Enjoy it while we can
September 27th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^
Is there no middle ground? They either suck or they're damn good. Okay
September 27th, 2015 at 5:49 PM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 5:58 PM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 6:04 PM ^
You still haven't answered my question. What have you seen that makes you think they are a damn good or really good team? I seem to be the only one who is down to earth here. They are ok, good or average team. But they are not very good, damn good or any other way you want to put it. They have a below average offense (ranked 93rd) and a below average defense (ranked 77th). They had one score leads in the fourth quarter against two teams a very good team would have destroyed. They almost lost a game, at home, to a team that was just beaten by 42 points on their home turf. Do they suck, no, but after watching 4 weeks of MSU football they are not as good as they are being given credit for.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:25 PM ^
Actually I did answer your question you just chose to ignore the answer.
Ignoring what they've done last year and the year before with many of the same players is a choice you can make. I won't, because I like to use as much information as possible when I evaluate teams.
I've watched most of their games this year including when they got up big on Air Force and WMU before coasting to the finish. All I said is that they are a really good football team, and every college football writer agrees with me hence their #2 ranking. I never said they were unbeatable or some juggernaut, but Michigan is going to need to bring their A game to win. I don't see what's wrong with any of that. You chose to disagree, fine, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
You think MSU is not very good, I think they are. Let's just agree to disagree then because nothing you say is going to convince me otherwise. But regardless, go blue, we are all on the same side here.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:32 PM ^
Go Blue!
September 27th, 2015 at 7:59 PM ^
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September 27th, 2015 at 8:00 PM ^
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September 27th, 2015 at 9:32 PM ^
The same great coaching minus arguably the best DC in the country the past few years They have been outgained by their opponents on the year. not the mark of a great team. You know Oregon has a pretty good track record the past few years, it just so happens they aren't very good this year.
September 27th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^
September 28th, 2015 at 12:00 AM ^
Do you really need it spelled out for you after the success they have had the last few years? 23 seniors, finds a way to win games, NFL talent at QB and along both lines, etc
It's pretty hysterical people think MSU isn't good this year. Every team in college football is flawed. There is no perfect team. Too much parity. That doesn't mean there aren't a bunch of good teams. MSU falls into that category. I hope we kick their ass.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:59 PM ^
necessary and scored a victory over a highly ranked team the second week when they were rated Top 5, so regardless of how your opponent fares after the fact, you don't get punished by anyone for not losing. They haven't lost when they were Top 5 when the season began and then beat another ranked opponent. That's how the system works.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:08 PM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 7:22 PM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 8:14 PM ^
Agree very much on matchup problems. I am less concerned on our D v their O. But our O is currently built for MSU to stop. The teams hitting MSU are throwing for 300 yds - the Qbs at CMU and WMU frankly look more composed and better than rudock. MSU sells out everything to stop the run. That is our bread and butter. rudock needs to throw for 230+ without 2 INTs to solve that defense. Otherwise they will just stack the line as thhey always do vs run based teams and wait for rudock errors.
That game is going to be about rudock vs that green (pun intended) secondary.
September 27th, 2015 at 9:54 PM ^
Every team we have played and every team we will play sells out everything to stop the run. Did you see BYU's safety's yesterday? Rudock isn't a good qb, but he can hit open receivers in the short passing game. It's all we will need. I don't think MSU will be able to run on us, but they have a great tight end and some fast receivers. They will be a matchup problem for our defense because our lb's frankly arent good right now, and they have a good Oline to protect Cook.
September 27th, 2015 at 7:50 PM ^
They're an above average team so far this season. They've been a really good team the past several years but from what I've seen thus far from sparty, they're trending downward. I've said from the jump that state is gonna lose in the Big House this season. It should be a good game but they will not leave out of A2 this year with Paul Bunyan.
Harbaugh is gonna have us READY come Oct. 17th. He knows how important that win is and not only will he make sure the team knows it, I'm pretty sure they're sick of sparty running their mouths.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:23 PM ^
Kind of a newbie here and I don't want to come across as complaing, but how/why is this comment getting downvoted? Last I checked we're all Michigan fans here. Is giving a little credit to the enemy that frowned upon?
September 27th, 2015 at 7:09 PM ^
First rule of MgoPoints is do not talk about MgoPoints.
If you are really worried about your MgoPoints avoid posting anything on a Sunday, since people either irrationally exuberant or irrationally defeatist.
Try checking in again around mid-week.
September 27th, 2015 at 7:19 PM ^
Got it. Appreciate the tip!
September 27th, 2015 at 7:49 PM ^
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September 27th, 2015 at 8:06 PM ^
Michigan is not going to be a pushover this year. The last time they played at our house, I believe we won. If Hoke can beat them at home, I would feel much better about Harbaugh's chances.
September 27th, 2015 at 5:53 PM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 8:29 PM ^
me as much as Coach Dantonio has the past 8 years or so. I stopped thinking the way you're thinking after the 4th straight loss to those guys. Do you honestly think we are going to roll those guys when they come to Ann Arbor? This one is going to be behind the woodshed from the opening kick. I didn't think the Spartans had talent when they started this steak against us, I KNOW they have better talent now. Coach Dantonio lives for this game and when the Spartans get to Ann Arbor they are going to be ready to give us their A + game, Coach D is going to make sure of it.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:12 AM ^
September 27th, 2015 at 5:57 PM ^
A week ago, most of us thought the world was about to end and many were predicting a 6-6 season. Then there was yesterday.
Before we talk about 10-2 or 11-1, I'd like to play a few more games and see if yesterday's magic will be repeated.
Speak softly......
September 27th, 2015 at 6:11 PM ^
Welcome to fan msg boards
Rudock has given us a nice half in both the UNLV and BYU games. He needs to have those halves back to back vs MSU and OSU and prob PSU. the other half of UNLV and BYU cannot show up for more than 10 minutes a game.
Its simplistic but with solid to good parts on the rest of the team it's going to come down to Rudock.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:30 PM ^
He protected the football, didn't take unnecessary chances. I think we got exactly what we expected (in the preseason) and what we wanted from Rudock yesterday. He chose not to go to some open guys in the second half, but with the lead and our defense, being super conservative sounds like exactly what he was coached to do, based on Harbaugh's postgame comments. Seemed like a very good game from him yesterday, given the situation and playcalling.
September 27th, 2015 at 6:47 PM ^
They'll be lucky to score if our defense plays the way it's been playing. PSU's offensive line was destroyed by Temple, and Minnesota has a wet noodle attack.
MSU will be tough. Their OL is strong enough that we won't be able to just crush them at the line of scrimmage like we did to Ore St, UNLV, and BYU.
September 27th, 2015 at 8:18 PM ^
PSU OL is getting better. They didnt give up a sack for 2 weeks in a row - didnt research this week yet but Hack had a good game. And they have a really good high star rb now making waves. People need to stop acting like its a gimme game - their offense is getting better and their D is going to be top 4 in the league.
September 27th, 2015 at 8:20 PM ^
PSU is worrying me more than most other teams we play, except for OSU. They always worry me.