Game Seven: #1 Ohio State 38, Michigan State 7 (10/14/06)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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Spartans

SHANNON SHELTON: Bowl hopes hang in the balance


October 9, 2006

The idea that Michigan State could be 3-4 after next week will infuriate those who know where MSU could have been if the Spartans had beaten Notre Dame and Illinois and entered the Michigan game at 5-0.
But 3-4 is exactly where some had the Spartans after the Ohio State game. During the preseason, more than a few observers speculated that MSU could drop below .500 with losses to Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.
They were wrong on one game, but substitute Illinois for Pitt and you've got... 3-4.
This all goes on the assumption that the Spartans will lose to top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday, a likely outcome unless MSU plays like it's 1998 and engineers another upset of a No. 1 Buckeyes team. With injuries hampering numerous players, that prospect is unlikely -- but a loss to the Buckeyes doesn't mean the Spartans are out of contention for a postseason appearance.
"This is the turning point of our season," said senior Kyle Cook. "We're halfway through, we're 3-3, we're .500. If we want to get to a bowl game, have a bowl season, this is where we've got to turn our season around. We've got to make something happen with the second half."
A few circumstances could play in the Spartans' favor. MSU will head into the easier part of its schedule, traveling to Northwestern and Indiana, playing Purdue and Minnesota at home and facing Penn State in State College over its last five games.
Northwestern and Indiana are two of the worst teams in the Big Ten, Purdue is 4-2 after playing a weak early schedule, and Minnesota is struggling without its usually solid running game.
Playing Penn State is always tricky, especially on the road, but the Nittany Lions are a shadow of the team that won a share of the Big Ten championship last year.
If the Spartans win their final five games, they'd finish 8-4 and earn a decent bowl berth. If they drop one of the final five, they're 7-5, as I predicted at the start of the year, and a candidate for the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando or the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
Worst-case scenario to make a bowl game, MSU could drop two of its last five to finish 6-6, which could get the Spartans in the Insight Bowl if no other conference squads earn enough wins to qualify for the postseason. And there's always the Motor City Bowl, although that would be a disappointment based on the expectations MSU had for 2006.
The biggest concern is whether the Spartans can manage three wins, let alone four or five, after facing Ohio State. MSU could be in the midst of a four-game losing streak, and the Spartans' failure to beat a team like Illinois doesn't give the impression that they can count on wins over anyone this season.
An 8-4 finish could be enough to save John L. Smith's job, but a bowl-game win might be necessary if Smith finishes 7-5. For him to remain at MSU after this season, his team can't afford many slipups over the next six games, and potential 0-4 career records against Michigan and Ohio State won't help his cause.
Contact SHANNON SHELTON at 313-223-3215 or slshelton@freepress.com.

[osugrad21]

Blade

Buckeyes ready for the Big Ten
Tressel is 'happy to get back'

By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

COLUMBUS - You have to play all the games on the schedule to get to the games that really matter. Such was the case for both Ohio State and Bowling Green on Saturday, when the No. 1 ranked Buckeyes turned back the Falcons 35-7 at Ohio Stadium.
They had a contract, they played, and now they move on to more pressing issues. After a 2-0 start in Big Ten Conference play, Ohio State can concentrate its energies on winning a second straight league championship, with six Big Ten games now lined up on the horizon. The Falcons got a nice check, and hopefully some seasoning they'll need to contend for the Mid-American Conference title. "Everything from this point on is Big Ten football, and it's what it's about," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said following the win over BG. "I thought we did some good things and made some progress in some areas. I think it was worthwhile, but not wonderful."

The Buckeyes (6-0) start that string of a half dozen Big Ten contests with a trip to East Lansing this weekend to face Michigan State. Tressel said stepping out of the league for a week to face the Falcons while the rest of the Big Ten played league games broke the season's continuity. "Speaking just for me, the Big Ten is what it's all about for us, and you get your Big Ten focus on and then all of a sudden we're out of the Big Ten. We have to watch all those other teams play in our league," Tressel said. "So I'm happy to get back, especially when you're going against an opponent like Michigan State coming up, you know what kind of ability they have, so, yeah, this is exciting." The Spartans (3-3, 0-2) were expected to be in the conference race, but have nose-dived in a manner that is similar to last season when Michigan State won its first four games, then lost six of its last seven. After opening this season with three wins, the Spartans have lost three. In Ohio State's eyes, that swoon makes Michigan State more hungry, more desperate, more dangerous. For a team with those kinds of struggles, beating the nation's No. 1 team could make the season. "We know they'll be fired up and ready to play. We see that from everybody in the league," Ohio State center Doug Datish said. "We'll get their best shots. Everybody gets worked up to play Ohio State, so we just need to put together a great week of practice and be prepared to go up there and execute like we know we can." Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, who completed 17 of 20 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns against the Falcons, said the key to moving through the Big Ten schedule is for the Buckeyes to never be content or feel like they have arrived. "No matter what point in the season we're at, you can never be complacent in anything you do," Smith said. "Sure we hit on some plays and scored some points, but there are still a lot of areas where we can get better. The challenge for us going into these next six games is to show improvement every week, starting with the Michigan State game." Although the Buckeyes have won the last four meetings with the Spartans, Tressel said there will be talk this week about the significance of the series, and the fact that it was Michigan State that stunned an undefeated Ohio State team led by quarterback Joe Germaine in 1998. The 8-0 Buckeyes lost 28-24 at home to Michigan State that year, the only blemish in an 11-1 season. "We always talk about the history of a series like this that goes way back," Tressel said. "There were some huge games there in the early '70s that we've talked about in the past that had a lot riding on them. Most of us weren't here in 1998, but I think part of our history is that that is the one lone loss on a great team, so I'm sure it will be brought up in the context of the series."

[Zurp]

If Ohio State plays like Ohio State, and Michigan State plays like Michigan State, there will be no surprises. Easy win for Ohio State.

But if Ohio State returns kicks and punts the way they did last year, and if Drew Stanton gets hit so hard, he forgets that he's Drew Stanton, Michigan State has a chance to be in the game. It would help Michigan State if John L Williams puts on the "Sparty" mask and one of the cheerleaders takes his spot as "Head Coach."

[King_of_da_Vern]

for 1 stanton cannot handle pressure (Notre Dame) and everyone knows michigan state always no matter whta finds a way to lose a big game. thats solid fact.plus idont think they are a good team and neither is the person callin the offense

[Thump]

Been reading where MSU fans are clamoring for Steve Mariucci to get hired after this season.

[SufferinSpartan]

Originally Posted by King_of_da_Vern

for 1 stanton cannot handle pressure (Notre Dame) and everyone knows michigan state always no matter whta finds a way to lose a big game. thats solid fact.plus idont think they are a good team and neither is the person callin the offense

Agree across the board except for the "cannot handle pressure" stuff on Stanton.

The damn coaches had the kid in the shotgun, running an option in a freaking monsoon in that 4th quarter against ND.

Meantime, 260 ponds worth of Jehuu Caulcrick, with 108 yards on 8 carries didn't see the field in the 4th quarter.

The coaches nutted up by putting Stanton in a BAD position. The coaches cannot handle the pressure that comes with a 15+ point lead.

Been that way at MSU through MANY coaching regimes. Look at this:

Can any other University claim half of this crap?


2006

ND: We're up 37-21 with 8 minutes remaining. A fumble, tipped pass, 4 th and 4 conversion, interception returned for a TD, and game ending interception later, we lose 40-37.


2005

@ OSU: The "The coaches are screwing it up" game. Up 17-7. After only 10 men are on the field for MSU, attempted FG is blocked and returned for a TD, ending the half. Lose 35-24.


2004

@ Michigan: Up by 17 with under 8 minutes to go, MSU loses an onside kick, commits a costly holding penalty, and UM rallies to score three times to knot the game. We lose 45-37 in 3 OT.


OSU: We lose 32-19 after going up 19-17 with 3 minutes remaining against a hapless OSU offense. Spartans give up 15 points in the last 1:23.


@ Hawaii: We're up 21-0. Timmy Chang, bad defense and referee error allow Hawaii back into the game. Eventually lose 41-38.


2003
La. Tech: We're leading 19-7 with just over a minute remaining. After a TD, failed onside kick recovery, and an 11 yard TD pass with :02 left, we lose 20-19.

2002

ND: Smoker connects to Charles Rogers for apparent game winning TD. 2nd string QB Pat Willingham (yes, Pat Willingham) connects with Arnaz Battle for a 60 yard TD with 1:15 remaining. Broderick Nelson runs into another State defender and falls down on the play. MSU loses 17-14.


Purdue: 2nd stringer Kyle Orton comes in on 4th and 8 for his first play of the game. He immediately connects on a game winning, 40 yard TD with 3 minutes remaining. State loses 45-42.


2001

@ Northwestern: MSU gained the lead with 18 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats complete a 54 yard tipped ball to get the Michigan State 33 with 8 seconds left. David Wasielewski then kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired, handing State a 27-26 loss.


Penn State: Spartans were up 31-14 in the second quarter before giving up 28 straight points. MSU had a first down at PSU's 21 yard line with 2:00 to go, but failed to score, losing 42-37.


2000

Iowa: With State up 16-14, 0-5 Iowa blocked a 44 yard FG and then drove 84 yards into a stiff wind to score a 43 yard TD with under 3:00 to play to upset the Spartans 21-16.


Wisconsin: The Spartans outgained the Badgers 366-197, but gave up a 45 yard TD pass from Jim Sorgi, who had never played before this game, with 29 seconds left . State loses 17-10.


1998

Colorado State: #16 MSU is up 16-0, and then gives up 23 unanswered to lose the game at home.


Minnesota: State was up 18-10 and missed a 37 yard field goal by Paul Edinger with 5 minutes remaining. Minnesota goes on to score 9 points in under two minutes to beat us 19-18.


Purdue: We're up 24-13 with less than seven minutes to go when Purdue blocks a punt. A TD, a three and out, and another TD makes it the Spartans 25-24 losers.


1997

@ Northwestern: Chris Gardner has his 28 yard field goal blocked with :05 remaining as #12 MSU falls 19-17.


@Purdue: Up 21-10 with 2:13 remaining , Rosevelt Colvin returns a blocked field goal attempt 62 yards for a touchdown. Then we lose an onside kick and give up a 55 yard drive with 40 seconds remaining. We get in position to kick a 47 yard FG, but the ball sails about 30 yards to the left of the goal post. We lose 22-21.


1996

@ Iowa: MSU goes up 17-0, but loses key fumbles on kickoffs to eventually lose 37-30.


Penn State: With the game tied at 29, Chris Gardner misses a 33 yarder with 4 minutes left. PSU then marches 66 yards to win on a 30 yarder with 12 seconds.

[JXC]

Originally Posted by Michigan State Article

A few circumstances could play in the Spartans' favor. MSU will head into the easier part of its schedule, traveling to Northwestern and Indiana, playing Purdue and Minnesota at home and facing Penn State in State College over its last five games.
Northwestern and Indiana are two of the worst teams in the Big Ten, Purdue is 4-2 after playing a weak early schedule, and Minnesota is struggling without its usually solid running game.

Northwestern and Indiana are two of the worst teams in the Big Ten huh? Probably so, but it was Indiana who went to Illinois and won last week, the same Illinois team that went to MSU and beat them. So acting as though playing teams like Indiana or Northwestern will be a gimmie is probably a bad move. Purdue may be 4-2 after playing a weak schedule, but I'd bet they'd be 4-2 with your schedule too...OR AT LEAST 3-3.

[rocketman]

OSU: We lose 32-19 after going up 19-17 with 3 minutes remaining against a hapless OSU offense. Spartans give up 15 points in the last 1:23.

Yeah, Ted Ginn made you guys look silly that game.

I must say, spartantailgate.com has been the most entertaining message board I've been on in a while. From the emoticons to the conspiracy theories, you guys can't be beat. I laugh, but I feel sad at the same time.

[MSU_ABE]

I find this Thread amusing. There is no need to talk about MSU. You guys will hand us our ass on Saturday. Even with MSU healthy you guys would own us. Come to E.L. knowing your team will win and win big. Enjoy, the bars and the MSU campus. Make some new friends. you will find that most us Spartan fans are friendly people.

[SufferinSpartan]

Originally Posted by R0CK3TM4NN

Yeah, Ted Ginn made you guys look silly that game.

I must say, spartantailgate.com has been the most entertaining message board I've been on in a while. From the emoticons to the conspiracy theories, you guys can't be beat. I laugh, but I feel sad at the same time.

You have to laugh to keep from crying.

[SufferinSpartan]

Originally Posted by Thump

Been reading where MSU fans are clamoring for Steve Mariucci to get hired after this season.

Not really.....



http://www.spartantailgate.com/forum...d.php?t=210255

[SufferinSpartan]

Originally Posted by R0CK3TM4NN

Yeah, Ted Ginn made you guys look silly that game.

I've got a little paper-cut. You want to squeeze some lemon juice into it for me?

[Zurp]

Originally Posted by SufferinSpartan

Can any other University claim half of this crap?

When was the game where Michigan State had an extra second or two to spike the ball to stop the clock? They beat Michigan on the next play. 2001 sounds right. Washington needed that time-keeper this weekend.

[SufferinSpartan]

Originally Posted by Zurp

When was the game where Michigan State had an extra second or two to spike the ball to stop the clock? They beat Michigan on the next play. 2001 sounds right. Washington needed that time-keeper this weekend.

It was 2001, and many say the one second remaining was legit.

Regardless, keep in mind that earlier on that posession (2-3 plays earlier), MSU coach Bobby Williams called his last timeout at the same time a flag was thrown on Michigan for 12 "men" (use the term loosely) on the field.

The penalty stopped the clock, so MSU should NOT have been charged that timeout. That timeout could have been used to stop the clock instead of the spike with ~1 second left. Bobby of course didn't think to ask for the timeout back though. It would have been a no-brainer.

Smoker to Duckett in the endzone for the win, and the Wolverines have been whining ever since.

http://www.enlightenedspartan.com/ot...11103msu3v.avi

[Steve19]

Welcome to you guys from Michigan State but let's just assume that the team that walloped Notre Dame the first half is going to show up. Michigan State does have a reputation for blowing games but they also have played in streaks over the years and played way over their own heads against good teams.

I am also remembering a loss to Wisconsin when Bollinger came in as a replacement quarterback as a freshman and we were not prepared for him. Tressel was obviously not very impressed with the game against Bowling Green and will be looking for the Buckeyes to get their heads back into the Big Ten.

I think our guys will show up to play and that they will be remembering things lost in those key games against Michigan State teams that we thought we would easily beat.