[3yardsandacloud]

Additional Information


Links

Official Sites:
Official School Site - Michigan State University
Student Newspaper - The State News
Official Athletic Site - MSU Sports
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference


Previews/Breakdowns:
Michigan State 2005 Preview - CFN
Michigan State 2005 Offensive Preview - CFN
Michigan State 2005 Defensive Preview - CFN
Michigan State 2005 Further Anaylsis - CFN
Game Data: Michigan State at Ohio State Roundup - Bucknuts


Prospectus & Info:
2005 Roster - MSU Spartans
2005 Statistics - MSU Spartans
2005 Media Guide - MSU Spartans
Looking ahead to Ohio State - Go Spartans (Scout)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (10/10/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (10/5/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (10/3/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/28/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/26/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/21/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/19/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/14/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/12/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/9/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/8/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/7/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (9/5/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (8/31/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (8/5/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (7/25/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (3/25/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (2/6/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
MICHIGAN STATE Team Report (1/3/05) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)


Travel Info:
Home Game


Big Ten Info:
2005 Big Ten Football Prospectus - Big Ten
2005 Big Ten Football Prospectus (Full PDF) - Big Ten
2005 Composite Schedule - Big Ten
2005 Composite Schedule (PDF Chart) - Big Ten
2005 Conference/Team Statistics - Big Ten
2005 Television Schedule - Big Ten
2005 Weekly Football Releases - Big Ten
2005 Players of the Week - Big Ten
2005 Officials Roster - Big Ten
2005 Bowl Partners - Big Ten
2005 Method to Determine Automatic Representative to Bowl Championship Series - Big Ten
Big Ten Preview - Part 1 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan) - CFN
Big Ten Preview - Part 2 (Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State) - CFN
Big Ten Preview - Part 3 (Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin) - CFN


Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Go Spartans (Scout)
Message Boards - Spartan Mag (Rivals)
Message Boards - Spartan Tailgate (Independent)
Message Boards - The Enlightened Spartan (Independent)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports


Local News Sources:
Detroit Free Press - Local News
Detroit News - Local News
MLive - Local News
Lansing State Journal (Green & White) - Local News
The State News - Local News

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: John L. Smith 123-72-0 (.631), 13-12-0 (.520) at MSU. John L. Smith is in his third season with MSU and is the Spartan's 23rd head coach. Last season's highlights included wins over 2 ranked opponents ... #4 Wisconsin and #19 Minnesota. The Spartans also ranked #1 in the BigTen and #10 in the NCAA in total offense (YPG) and set the school record for total rushing yards in a season. The 55 year-old Smith was born in 1948 and graduated from Weber State in 1971. John was a three year letterman in football at Weber State where he played quarterback and linebacker. He began his coaching career as a grad assistant at Weber State and then moved on the assistant positions at Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington State. In 1989 John became the head coach at Idaho and went 53-21 in 6 seasons. From there it was 3 seasons at Utah State (16-18-0), then 5 seasons at Louisville (41-21). Much of John L. Smith's coaching reputation can be traced to the revival of the Louisville program. Five straight winning seasons (a school record), five straight bowl trips (as many as Louisville had ever appeared in previously), back-to-back Conference USA titles, a Conference USA Coach of the Year Award, and coach Smith was soon whisked away to Michigan State.

Assistant Coaches:
Dave Baldwin - Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends
Mike Cox - Linebackers
Chuck Driesbach - Secondary
Jim McElwain - Assistant Head Coach/Receivers
Doug Nussmeier - Quarterbacks
Lucious Selmon - Defensive Line
Ben Sirmans - Running Backs
Chris Smeland - Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Jeff Stoutland - Offensive Line
Mike Vollmar - Assistant AD/Dir. of Football Operations
Tommy Hoke - Strength & Conditioning Coach
Ken Mannie - Strength & Conditioning Coach

Rebuild or Reload

Starters Returning: 39 (Offense 18, Defense 19, Special Teams 2)
Letterman Returning: 48 (Offense 25, Defense 22, Special Teams 1)
Notable Returners:
C - Chris Morris
QB - Drew Stanton

Starters Lost: 10 (Offense 3, Defense 6, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Lost: 21 (Offense 8, Defense 12, Special Teams 1)


Incoming Recruits:

In 2005, the Michigan State Spartans signed the 35th best recruiting class according to Rivals, and the 40th best recruting class according to Scout. Eight of the signees were JUCO transfers, and another signed after a post-grad year at Virginia's Fork Union Academy. 2005 signees DB Kendell Davis, DT Haywood Howard, and WR Emory Jones failed to gain admission to Michigan State.

Michigan State always seems to take several players from the state of Ohio, and 2005 was no exception; in that class, the Spartans signed five Ohioans (OL Rocco Cironi, DB Kendell Davis, WR Dan Fortener, LB Brandon Long, and RB Javon Ringer), all of whom had at least some interest in Ohio State (Davis, Long, and Ringer really wanted to become Buckeyes, but grades were at least part of the equation in all three cases). Of course, Javon Ringer was arguably the best high school player in Ohio last season, and many Buckeye fans were extremely disappointed that he didn't end up at Ohio State. As a true freshman, Ringer has 404 yards rushing on 51 carries (7.9 average, long run of 59 yards) and 4 touchdowns through five games.

In 2004, the Spartans signed eight Ohioans, including former Buckeye verbal Austintown Fitch WR Miles Williams (who has since been booted from Sparty for "off-the-field" issues; he is currently a walk-on at Youngstown State) and highly-rated St. Ignatius QB Brian Hoyer. That same year, MSU also inked ATH SirDarean Adams from Bradenton, Florida, who had the Buckeyes as his leader until (again) academics became an issue (SirD is still having some classroom difficulties at Michigan State - link-1; link-2). The 6-foot, 222-pound Adams is the Spartans' starting "rover" back as a true sophomore (two interceptions, including one for a touchdown against Notre Dame). SirDarean Adams is a kid who would look great in the S&G right now, as would Javon Ringer, but one has to applaud the Buckeye coaching staff for taking a strong stand on academic repsonsibility.

Michigan State's Class of 2005

WR Ryan Allison, Lake Orion, Michigan (6' 3", 199 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#4 in Michigan); Scout 3*
OL Rocco Cironi, Warren Harding (6' 6", 284 lbs, 5.25 forty); Rivals 3* (#31 in Ohio); Scout 2*
DB Kendell Davis, Alliance, Ohio (5' 11", 181 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#14 in Ohio); Scout 2*
LB Adam Decker, Birmingham (Michigan) Brother Rice (6' 2", 234 lbs, 4.72 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
WR Dan Fortener, Kettering Alter (6' 1", 182 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
DE Reggie Graham, Brimingham (Alabama) Homewood (6' 4", 210 lbs,4.6 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
LB Andrew Hawken, Grandville, Michigan (6' 2", 224 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3* (#5 in Michigan); Scout 3*
DT Haywood Howard, New Orleans Carver (6' 4", 280 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
RB A.J. Jimmerson, Florissant (Missouri) Hazelwood Central (5' 10", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#8 in Missouri); Scout 4*
DE Bobby Jones, North Dakota State College of Science (6' 4", 287 lbs, 4.71 forty): Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout 3*
WR Emory Jones, Booneville (Mississippi) Northeast CC (6' 3", 204 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 3*
LB Steven Juarez, Los Angeles Harbor College (6' 2", 230 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals NR (JUCO); Scout NR
LB Brandon Long, Canton Glen Oak (6' 2", 219 lbs, 4.56 forty); Rivals 3* (#26 in Ohio); Scout 3*
OL Brendon Moss, Fork Union, Virgina (6' 6", 256 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
QB Domenic Natale, Princeton (New Jersey) The Hun School (6' 2", 189 lbs, 4.62 forty); Rivals 3* (#13 in New Jersey); Scout 3*
OL Joel Nitchman, Kalamazoo Hackett Central Catholic (6' 4", 272 lbs, 5.28 forty); Rivals 3* (#8 in Michigan); Scout 3*
WR Diego Oquendo, Staten Island Tottenville (5' 9", 177 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
WR Kerry Reed, Coffeyville (Kansas) CC (6' 2", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (JUCO); Scout NR
RB Javon Ringer, Dayton Chaminade (5' 9", 186 lbs, 4.44 forty, 3.87 shuttle); Rivals 3* (#13 in Ohio); Scout 4*
DE Jonal Saint-Dic, Elizabeth (New Jersey) Hudson Valley CC (6' 1", 262 lbs); Rivals 2* (JUCO); Scout 3*
OL Mike Schmeding, Rutherford (New Jersey) St. Mary's (6' 8", 299 lbs, 5.3 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
OL Kenny Shane, Tucson (Arizona) Pima JC (6' 5", 283 lbs, 5.05 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 3*
DT David Stanton, Santa Clarita (California) College of the Canyons (6' 3", 273 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 4*
DB Ross Weaver, Southfield, Michigan (6' 1", 189 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 3* (#13 in Michigan); Scout 3*
DB Otis Wiley, Flint Carman-Ainsworth (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3* (#11 in Michigan); Scout 3*
DB Demond Williams, Tucson (Arizona) Pima JC (5' 9", 174 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (JUCO); Scout 2*

Historical Data

Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) Founded in 1855

Football 1st Season: 1896

Stadium: Spartan (1957) 72,027

Conference: Big Ten Conference since 1953 (1896-1906 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1907-1952 Independent)

Colors: Green & White

Mascot: Spartan (Sparty)

College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)

All-Time Records

Michigan State's overall record through last week is 589-395-44, for a winning percentage of .594. The Spartans overall record in Big Ten play is 226-213-13 (.514). Michigan State has played in 17 bowl games, with 7 wins and 10 losses; the Spartans have played in four Rose Bowls, beating USC in 1987 (20-17) and UCLA in 1953 (28-20) and 1955 (17-14), but losing to the Bruins in 1965 (12-14).

Clearly, Michigan State's glory years were during the regime of head coach Clarence "Biggie" Munn, who guided the program from 1947 to 1953, compiling a record of 54-9-2 (.846 winning percentage) and winning one Big Ten and three national championships during that time. Munn's successor, Hugh "Duffy" Daugherty, continued the success, winning two more Big Ten and four more national championships between 1954 and 1966, before finally retiring after the 1972 season. Overall, in the twenty years between 1947 and 1966, the Spartans amassed a record of 136 wins, 46 losses, and 6 ties (.739 pct), and won or shared 3 Big Ten and 7 national championships, quite an amazing run for any program. However, during the late 1960's, Ohio State and Michigan once again began to assert their dominance over the Big Ten, and Michigan State has been a "second tier" program for much of the past four decades.

Championships

Michigan State was an independent program from 1907 until 1952, after which time the Spartans joined the Big Ten Conference. Since then, MSU has won three outright conference championships (1965, 1966, 1978), and three co-championships (1953, 1987, 1990). In the early days (1896-1906), Michigan State competed in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, where the Spartans played such powerhouse programs as the Michigan School for the Deaf; MSU won the MIAA league championship in 1903 (co-champ) and 1905.

Michigan State has three recognized national championships to its credit: 1952 (9-0; AP & UPI); 1965 (10-1; UPI); and 1966 (9-0-1; NFF); the Spartans also lay claim to championships in 1951 (9-0); 1953 (9-1); 1955 (9-1); and 1957 (8-1). MSU has finished "ranked" in the AP poll 20 times, and in the Coaches' poll 19 times.

Individual Award and Recognitions

Throughout their history, the Spartans have had 26 Consensus All-Americans, nine members of the College Football Hall-of-Famers (including players LB George Webster, DL Bubba Smith, and LB Brad Van Pelt, along with coaches Biggie Munn, Duffy Daugherty, and Charlie Bachman), and two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Herb Adderley and Joe DeLamielleure). Although no Michigan State player has ever won the Heisman Trophy, several Spartans have won major award: linebacker Percy Snow won both the Lombardi (best lineman) and the Butkus (best linebacker) in 1989; linebacker Brad van Pelt won the Maxwell (best player) in 1972; wide receiver Charles Rogers won the Biletnikoff (best receiver) in 2002; and Ed Bagdon won the Outland (best interior lineman) in 1949; Biggie Munn won Coach of the Year honors in 1952, and Duffy Daugherty earned the same recognition in 1955.

Inside the Numbers

OK, I am still too sick from the PSU loss and another shot at a National Championship dying at an inept offense's feet to make this one of my better efforts. Just call me Buckeye Offensive player X and live with the mediocrity.

Anyway, as well pretty much know by now the defense will play well this week although it will be tested by a very good MSU offense, the team has a much better than average chance to win as we are playing in Columbus and the offensive output is anyone's guess.

Here's what we're facing and a quick down and dirty as to why I think as I do.

<TABLE class=statstable><TBODY><TR><TH colSpan=8>TEAM RANKINGS</TH></TR><TR><TH colSpan=8>117 teams ranked in Division IA</TH></TR><TR><TH colSpan=8>11 teams ranked in Big Ten Conference</TH></TR><TR><TH>Category</TH><TH>National
Rank</TH><TH>Actual</TH><TH>National
Leader</TH><TH>Actual</TH><TH>Conf
Rank</TH><TH>Big Ten Conference
Leader</TH><TH>Actual</TH></TR><TR><TD>Rushing Offense </TD><TD>8</TD><TD>252.40</TD><TD>Southern California </TD><TD>291.20</TD><TD align=middle>2</TD><TD>Minnesota </TD><TD>280.50</TD></TR><TR><TD>Passing Offense </TD><TD>12</TD><TD>314.00</TD><TD>Texas Tech </TD><TD>433.00</TD><TD align=middle>1</TD><TD>Michigan St. </TD><TD>314.00</TD></TR><TR><TD>Total Offense </TD><TD>2</TD><TD>566.40</TD><TD>Southern California </TD><TD>640.40</TD><TD align=middle>1</TD><TD>Michigan St. </TD><TD>566.40</TD></TR><TR><TD>Scoring Offense </TD><TD>5</TD><TD>45.40</TD><TD>Texas Tech </TD><TD>52.60</TD><TD align=middle>1</TD><TD>Michigan St. </TD><TD>45.40</TD></TR><TR><TD>Rushing Defense </TD><TD>37</TD><TD>119.80</TD><TD>Ohio St. </TD><TD>56.20</TD><TD align=middle>4</TD><TD>Ohio St. </TD><TD>56.20</TD></TR><TR><TD>Pass Efficiency Defense </TD><TD>70</TD><TD>128.61</TD><TD>Miami (Fla.) </TD><TD>74.93</TD><TD align=middle>7</TD><TD>Penn St. </TD><TD>106.75</TD></TR><TR><TD>Total Defense </TD><TD>82</TD><TD>405.40</TD><TD>Connecticut </TD><TD>227.80</TD><TD align=middle>8</TD><TD>Ohio St. </TD><TD>238.20</TD></TR><TR><TD>Scoring Defense </TD><TD>47</TD><TD>23.40</TD><TD>Virginia Tech </TD><TD>9.00</TD><TD align=middle>7</TD><TD>Ohio St. </TD><TD>13.60</TD></TR><TR><TD>Net Punting </TD><TD>14</TD><TD>38.81</TD><TD>Colorado </TD><TD>41.16</TD><TD align=middle>4</TD><TD>Wisconsin </TD><TD>39.62</TD></TR><TR><TD>Punt Returns </TD><TD>74</TD><TD>7.85</TD><TD>UCLA </TD><TD>32.17</TD><TD align=middle>9</TD><TD>Northwestern </TD><TD>23.30</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kickoff Returns </TD><TD>63</TD><TD>20.62</TD><TD>Auburn </TD><TD>36.36</TD><TD align=middle>9</TD><TD>Indiana </TD><TD>26.92</TD></TR><TR><TD>Turnover Margin </TD><TD>70</TD><TD>-.20</TD><TD>TCU </TD><TD>2.17</TD><TD align=middle>7</TD><TD>Michigan </TD><TD>.83</TD></TR><TR><TD>Pass Defense </TD><TD>106</TD><TD>285.60</TD><TD>Connecticut </TD><TD>129.80</TD><TD align=middle>9</TD><TD>Michigan </TD><TD>171.17</TD></TR><TR><TD>Passing Efficiency </TD><TD>1</TD><TD>187.38</TD><TD>Michigan St. </TD><TD>187.38</TD><TD align=middle>1</TD><TD>Michigan St. </TD><TD>187.38</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

MSU's offense scores 45 ppg on average. Well that ain't happening our defense is too good but I will give them credit for being better than average....I'm thinking 17 to 23 points.

MSU's defense is far from stout and have averaged giving up 37.5 PPG to scUM and ND. That is offset of course by the fact our offense sucks donkey crank or about 25 ppg...call it 31 with the bounce back from a loss and home field factor in there. Maybe TG2 even decides to play and scores one for old times sake.

So the fearless and still exteremely [censored]ed off jaxbuck prediction...31-23 good guys.

Bring on scUM, the Bowl game and an offseason present of an offensive coaching change.

Records

All Time: 585-394-44 (.594)

Bowl Games: 7-10-0 (.412) Most recently a 17-3 lost to Nebraska in the 2003 Alamo Bowl

All Time vs the BigTen: 226-213-13 (.514) versus Big Ten conference members at game time
237-219-15 (.519) versus current Big Ten conference members

All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 12-23-0 (.343) The last meeting was a 35-19 loss for the Spartans in East Lansing. The Buckeyes have won the last 3 meetings and 16 of the last 20.

Last Season: Michigan State finished 5-7-0
L - Rutgers (NJ) (14-19)
W - Central Michigan (24-7)
L - Notre Dame (IN) (24-31)
W - Indiana (30-20)
L - Iowa (16-38)
W - Illinois (38-25)
W - Minnesota (51-17)
L - Michigan (37-45)
L - Ohio St. (19-32)
W - Wisconsin (49-14)
L - Penn St. (13-17)
L - Hawaii (38-41)

Last 5 Years: 29-31-0 (.483)

Last 10 Years: 64-55-1 (.538)

Preseason Rankings

34 - Football.com (Fierce 40)
40 - CFN

Preseason Watch Lists

2005 Lott Trophy Watch List

2005 Lombardi Award Watch List

2005 Bronko Nagurski Watch List

2005 Outland Trophy Watch List

2005 Rimington Award Watch List
C - Chris Morris

2005 Ted Hendricks Award Watch List

2005 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

2005 John Mackey Award Watch List

2005 Maxwell Award Watch List
QB - Drew Stanton

2005 Benarik Award Watch List

2005 Lou Groza Award Watch List

2005 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
QB - Drew Stanton

2005 Biletnikoff Award Watch List

2005 Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
QB - Drew Stanton

2005 Butkus Award Watch List

2005 Johnny Unitas Award Watch List

2005 Doak Walker Award Watch List

2005 Ray Guy Award Watch List

2005 Sammy Baugh Award Watch List

2005 Heisman Trophy Award Watch List
No Official Watch List Published

Preseason Conference Accolades

2005 BigTen Football Media Day

2005 BigTen Media Poll - only the top 3 were listed
1. Michigan
2. Ohio State
3. Iowa

2005 BigTen Offensive Player of the Year
Drew Tate, QB, Iowa

2005 BigTen Defensive Player of the Year
A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State

Big Ten Conference Players of the Week

Sept. 3, 2005 (Week 1)
OFFENSE: RB - Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin
DEFENSE: LB - John Pannozzo, Indiana
SPECIAL TEAMS: P - Jeremy Kapinos, Penn State

Sept. 10, 2005 (Week 2)
OFFENSE: RB - Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
DEFENSE: LB - A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
CO-SPECIAL TEAMS: PR - Marquice Cole, Northwestern & Brandon Williams, Wisconsin

Sept. 17, 2005 (Week 3)
OFFENSE: RB - Drew Stanton, Michigan State
DEFENSE: LB - Chad Greenway, Iowa
SPECIAL TEAMS: P - Ken DeBauche, Wisconsin

Sept. 24, 2005 (Week 4)
CO-OFFENSE: QB - Drew Stanton, Michigan State & RB - Laurence Maroney, Minnesota
DEFENSE: LB - Paul Posluszny, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: K - Joel Howells, Northwestern

Oct. 1, 2005 (Week 5)
OFFENSE: RB - Mike Hart, Michigan
CO-DEFENSE: LB - Abdul Hodge, Iowa & LB - Paul Posluszny, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR/PR - Brandon Williams, Wisconsin

Nov. 8, 2005 (Week 6)
OFFENSE: QB Brett Basanez, Northwestern
CO-DEFENSE: LB Tim McGarigle, Northwestern & LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Jason Giannini, Minnesota

Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
Two Cousins College Football Emporium - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data