Pregame Postage: Michigan State
So we head north to pay Sparty a visit today. Buckeye fans have no beef with this Michigan team as it is led by a former member of our coaching staff. You’re welcome, Sparty. Can we assume the check’s in the mail?
Ohio State’s game last week was an absolute stinker. Fans know it, the team knows it, and the coaching staff knows it. After the lackluster performance against one of the worst teams in the conference, there are probably many, many, many fans who are scared to death of the streaking MSU. I’m not one of them.
If there’s one thing you can count on from Tressel’s squads it’s that they don’t lose games to teams who aren’t challenging for a spot in BCS games. Is MSU going to be playing in a BCS bowl? I seriously doubt it. Not only that, but they are extremely one dimensional. Their offensive attack is Javon Ringer. Don’t get me wrong, having your offense molded around a great back like Ringer is a really good thing. He’s got skills.
JR kicks a water bottle of his HS coach's head
However, in perusing the teams that Sparty has already played, one thing stands out. They aint seen a defense like ours. That’s not to say Ringer won’t break 100. I’d be surprised if he didn’t. But not because our defense is that bad, but because of the sheer volume of carries he gets which average 35 per game. He can have his 100 yds today. That’d be an average of 2.8 per carry. Defensive line needs to step up so the LBs can do work. QB Brian Hoyer is free to throw. I have faith that our corners will make it a long day for him and his receiving corps.
My only concern for the game is the offense. But I feel like they’ll pull it together. They’re probably mad as hell. The keys to a more productive offensive output lies with the very depleted Oline and the playcalling. For example, if we run on 1st and 2nd down, then it’s obvious we’ll have to throw on 3rd. That’s how practically the entire Purdue game went. We can’t be that predictable and expect TP2 to make plays. He also needs a couple of seconds to breathe/execute *coughOLINEcough* and receivers need to not drop the ball *coughHARTLINESMALLcough*.
I think Terrelle is ready for this game. His MO is “how can I get better?” and I have no doubt that he beat himself up this week over the Purdue game. He’s focused and he’ll come out firing (with the coaches’ blessing, of course, because they have the power to handicap his progress). After all, TP’s got skillz too.
They wouldn't let him try out for cheerleading
I believe that the Scarlet and Gray will prevail, but it’s not going to be a blowout. It’ll be close. Think the Wisky game, except it shouldn’t come down to the final offensive drive of the game. At least I hope it doesn’t. I was so stressed out during that game, and I really would like to avoid a repeat outcome. That, and I honestly feel that Wisky, despite it’s recent setbacks, is still a better team than Sparty. We’ll see, won’t we? We should at least cover the spread this week. That’s something!
I also look forward to seeing how many Buckeye fans show up. East Lansing is only about a 4 hour drive away and we alllll know OSU fans can travel like nobody’s business. Look and listen for there to be several hearty O-H-I-O cheers throughout the game. It’s not something fans only do at home games. That should pump the team up!
This game will be televised on ABC or ESPN2, based on your location. Check out the coverage map to see where you’ll be watch.
Go Bucks!
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