Monday, November 28, 2011

It's Go Time!
T-minus five days until we all get the rematch we desired after one of the greatest games of the season.  Michigan State versus Wisconsin.  60 more minutes of heart-stopping, hair-pulling, hair-graying football madness.  I say, bring it on.  Everyone out there talks about how the Spartans have to face an angry Wisconsin team again.  I see it as both having a difficult task.  Both teams are hot.  Both teams want this championship - bad.  Both teams have to stare down the barrel at the opponents' strengths.  As an MSU guy, I can't wait.  As a B1G guy, I really can't wait... It's GO time!

The Good...
Michigan State.  The media were convinced that MSU had nothing to play for.  Obviously, they don't take Mark Dantonio for his word or values.  The Spartans won a tough game, on the road to clinch the first ever back to back 10-win seasons in program history.

Michigan.  Good for the Wolverines.  The seniors finally got a monkey off their back in a very exciting game.  It was a lot higher scoring than I expected but that win puts Michigan back on the map.

Wisconsin.  What a way to end the regular season.  A beat-down of Penn State in the decisive game.  Impressive!

Minnesota.  I've dogged the Gophers all season.  They sealed Coach Zook's fate.  Nicely done and notice served for 2012...

Nebraska.  Cornhusker fans are going to wonder where this was against NU and Michigan.  A solid win that means a lot for bowl positioning.

Purdue.  Bowl eligible after a dog fight with rival Indiana.  Purdue probably should have seven or eight wins but this is a god start for next year...

The Bad...
Northwestern.  Not really a bad performance all together and certainly a nice run to end the season.  But they have to go here after a loss...

Ohio State.  See Northwestern.  Impressive performance really and an overthrow away from perhaps another win in the series.  Look out for tOSU next year, especially with Urban at the helm.

Iowa.  An appropriate end to a topsy turvy season.  Iowa looked great and below average all at the same time this year...

Indiana.  Giving the Hoosiers a nod for effort here.  IU is young and will improve, but quick enough to keep Kevin Wilson around?

The Ugly...
Penn State.  Sorry Nits but you flat out sucked at UW.  Turnovers, dropped passes, untimely errors, phantom tackles.  But I do feel for what this team has gone through...

Illinois.  Way to get your coach fired.  From 6-0 to 6-6.  OUCH.  Could be home for the holidays despite being one of the first to clinch a bowl berth.

Bowl Predictions...
We'll know the Rose Bowl slot after Saturday.  I guess I am tipping my hand a bit with my pick, but tune in later this week for the deets anyway.  And Phats, you went 6-0 and get to pick the big game with me...

Rose Bowl - Michigan State
Sugar Bowl - Michigan
Capital One Bowl - Wisconsin
Outback Bowl - Nebraska
Insight Bowl - Penn State
Gator Bowl - Ohio State
Meineke Car Care Bowl - Iowa
TicketCity Bowl - Northwestern
Little Caesars Bowl - Purdue
At Large - Illinois

6 comments:

Spartan Ted said...

The bad news for Mr. Delaney is that Michigan is not playing Ohio State in the title game, not that he did not try to manipulate it that way. The good news for him is that Penn State will be out of the spotlight for about a month.

Spartan Ted said...

Wisconsin was anointed the Rose Bowl participant by most of the nation three weeks ago, before they even played Penn State, let alone the championship game. Consequently, we have this monster 9 1/2 point spread to keep too much money going down on the Badgers. It matters not that MSU won the first game by six points. The experts seem to think that was a fluke that cannot possibly be repeated. Take away three points for home field and the Spartans should be a three point favorite. Oh well, the Spartans have played well with a chip on their shoulder. This should help fuel the motivation factor.

Dan Meyer said...

Four-two after day one of the Big 10/12 vs. ACC challenge with Northwestern, Illinois, PURDUE and Ohio State prevailing. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Iowa (not particularly shocking) and Michigan (not exactly the "big brothers of basketball"). Tougher schedule for the Big 10/12--looks like they will need three wins from IU (ugh but a reasonable road prospect), Penn State (on the road, albeit against BC), Michigan State (probably best chance) and Nebraska (should be competitive against Wake) to get an outright win. I can't see Minny winning with the Mbakwe injury and winning at the Dean Dome may be too much to ask even from Bo.

mayo170 said...

I didn't see whether we're picking or not, but just in case:

Michigan State University 22
University of Wisconsin 17

Dan Meyer said...

Michigan State 28 vs. WISCONSIN 35--Comparably to basketball (three times there), it is hard to beat a good team twice on the football field.

Spartan Ted said...

They said on one of the sports shows that 2 out of 3 times the same team wins. I have a hard time believing that.