Michigan State Weekend

I'm doing it. I'm putting my foot down right now.

This is and will be the last wedding that I'm ever going to between the months of September and December, EVER!!!! I still don't understand those who can't find time between April and August to get married? Eliminating January through March, that still leaves YOU PEOPLE nearly 27 weeks to find a weekend in which you can get married that won't interfere with FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!

So, now that is somewhat off my chest, here is a look at this weekend's Ohio State vs Michigan State from East Lansing, MI preview.

I see that the line is Ohio State is favored by 15 going into Spartan Stadium. I'm really thinking that OSU should cover that, because as I seem to say almost every week, the opposing team can't and won't keep up with Ohio State's team speed. Add in the fact that Michigan State is a little banged up and has an idiot for a head coach, and you've got the recipe for a giant beatdown on your home turf.

MSU ON OFFENSE
Michigan State seems to be an offense that is regressing instead of progressing. Nearly two weeks ago, MSU only managed to post 20 points against a very weak Illinois team in East Lansing. That team looked sloppy, unorganized, and were not playing well at all until their backup QB came in to replace an injured Drew Stanton (ribs) late in the third quarter. MSU came from 10 down to tie the game at 20, but Illinois kicked a field goal with less than a minute remaining for the dramatic W. That small paragraph pretty much sums up MSU's season to date.
Last week Michigan easily handled MSU in Ann Arbor, 31-13. I pretty much see more of the same for the Spartans even though it will be on their own turf on Saturday. Last week we saw what could be the key to hanging with OSU will be for the rest of the year. If Ohio State's opposing team is grossly outmatched in terms of talent, it is best to try and run the ball and to take time off the clock. We saw this as BG did their best in hanging with the Buckeyes by running the ball 30 times for 158 yards. This kept BG within striking distance throughout the first half and some of the second, but OSU has so much more physical talent (skill positions included) than BG which ultimately led to the 35-7 smashing of the Falcons. So, with this in mind- and if John L. Smith were a reasonably competent coach (WHICH HE IS NOT!!!)- I would expect a giant dose of running plays throughout the first 3 quarters. It is worth noting, however, that in the Illinois game MSU lost their starting RB Javon Ringer. The freshman from Dayton, OH, was having a pretty successful first campaign as he had rushed for 438 yards on 61 carries, which makes for a very gaudy 7.1 yards per carry. With Ringer's injury, it is a break for the Buckeyes as the Spartans will have to use Jehuu Caulcrick at tailback. Caulcrick is more of a bruising, not as quick or fast of a runner in comparison to Ringer, but is still a talented back that can break some tackles. If I'm John L. Smith, I'd run option left and right to utilize Drew Stanton's quick feet along with Caulcrick's talent. I'd also toss in some screens and use the Tight End over the middle in an attempt to keep the Bucks D on their toes. MSU will be without one of their best Wide Receivers in Matt Trannon, and this will affect their ability to pass downfield. However, they still have speedy WR Terry Love, (enter giggles here Svoboda and Collari) who as a freshman in '04 looked like he could be a very effective WR if his talents would be utilized correctly. If given the right direction and game planning scheme, Drew Stanton could possibly keep this a game through 3 quarters (and maybe 4). But with Smith at the helm, Stanton will not have that proper direction and game plan because of Smith being the football coach's equivalent of Wile E. Coyote.

Key matchup is the OSU Defensive Line vs the Spartan O-Line. Playing without starting DT David Patterson (knee surgery), the Bucks will rotate in Joel Penton, Lawrence Wilson, and some of the younger DT's in attempt to slow the Spartan running game and put pressure on Stanton. I think that the OSU D-Line should have success against the MSU Offensive Line, and that Jim Heacock will easily outscheme the MSU coaches with his defensive packages and blitzes. I'm feeling a big day for LB Marcus Freeman.
OSU On Offense
Tressel and his staff should have a field day with the offense. In '04 at Spartan Stadium, Ted Ginn had 3 touchdowns. One rushing, one on a punt return, and a late game clinching TD on a slant where he just outran the MSU DB for a 71 yard dagger to the heart of Sparty. I'd open up the game by letting Ginn run a deep post or fly pattern, just to remind the Spartan D and coaches of how fast # 7 really is. Even if it is an incomplete pass....who cares...it would send the message and put it in their mind that this could be a track meet if Tressel wants it to be.
Then I'd give Idiot L. Smith a solid dose of Anthony Gonzalez and maybe try to find him 3 or 4 times in one drive to remind them of how good Gonzo can be. Then, after the score is 14-3, I'd pound the ball with Antonio Pittman and just bi!ch slap them down the field to remind them that OSU can not only outrun them and beat them vertically, but that the Bucks can also push them around and beat them up physically.
So I guess I'll predict about 293 for Troy Smith with 3 TD passes. I'll also toss in a random TD for good measure, because there will be some sort of a special teams meltdown or some ridiculous play that only happens to Michigan State, because of what only their coach would call in a relatively critical point during the game.
I see the Bucks putting up 38 to 41 pretty easily against this team, weather permitting. Shouldn't be much of a game due to OSU just being that much better in TALENT AND COACHING, so I'll call it a Buckeye W 38-17.

And we've got another great SEC battle on Saturday night as well. # 2 Florida travels to take on # 11 Auburn in what should be a great game. Auburn is 20-1 in their last 21 SEC games, and will be looking to keep their SEC championship hopes alive after suffering a pretty good beating at the hands of Arkansas last week. Florida looks for real and has a very underrated defense, but Auburn will be ready to play and I'll take Auburn 20-17 in what will be a classic battle.

In other College Football Chatter.....
I'd also like to see Florida lose, becuase if they do travel to Auburn and win we will be hearing a lot more Florida should be #1 talk because of their wins at Tennessee, at Auburn and a convincing win over LSU at home. Buckeye fans also know exactly who the Ohio State Haters are, and how they (ESPN anyone?) love to put down our beloved Buckeyes and start anti-Buckeye controversy. If Florida wins at Auburn on Saturday night, you'll be hearing a solid dose of Florida for #1 despite the OSU wins at Texas and at Iowa......just wait, it'll come.
Anyways, I'm off to get my shirt and tie around, and for the first and only time this fall my Buckeyes football jersey will remain lonely and stagnant in my closet. Enjoy another great weekend of Buckeye Football my friends. Later...BDS