Michigan State v. Penn State: Underwhelmed With Excitement | Beautiful Day for Football

10:58 PM ET 11.21
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So it comes to this. The night before what could be Michigan State's biggest win in ... a long time. I've had two weeks to prepare for it, two weeks to write something about it, two weeks to get really jacked up about it.

And yet, I have tried and I have nothing.

Rather than eagerly anticipate the possibility of sharing the first Big Ten title in 18 years, and getting that first game of the season insomnia the night before, I am instead pre-resolved to losing this game and moving on to finish with a nice bowl game.

The first problem is that I hate -- HATE -- road games. Yelling at a television just doesn't get it done for me. I'd be fired up and ready for a game against Florida International if I had my tickets and a tailgate lined up.

But mostly, I have thus far this season not yet been wrong on a Friday night before a game. When I think they'll win, they win. When I know they'll lose, they lose. Nothing psychic about this: guessing based on the pre-game point spreads would have gotten anyone the same result.

If you go back to May, in one of my very first posts, you'll see the whole season predicted thus far to within one game of actual results. The only one I got wrong was Wisconsin, and I had moved that one over the the "win" side of the ledger weeks before the game started. Otherwise, there was no reason to alter my May prediction during any other game this season. And, as noted, by the night before I was already guessing the outcome correctly in all cases.

In May, I expected to lose to Penn State. Badly. Tonight... I still do.

Again, there's nothing special about my predictive powers. I blame Mark Dantonio for turning this into a delightfully boring team that gives 110 percent every game. They are predictably good, but not (yet) predictably great, so their 110 percent isn't going to measure up against some others: Cal, Ohio State... and Penn State.

I am thus a victim of trusting my own realistic expectations. I think that I've already seen the end of this game.

Michigan State doesn't have what it takes to win a share of the Big Ten title this year. But what might keep me awake tonight is thinking that they could very well be the favorite to take it outright next year. A clear majority of the starters will return from a team that (If am joyously wrong) could yet win 11 games this season.

In 21 years as the biggest of Spartan fans, I've never been as ill-prepared for an earthshaking upset as I am right now. And paradoxically, I've never been so hopeful about their future.

What a great season this has been. I can't believe it's not over yet.

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November 22, 2008 10:51 AM ET

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Why the pessimistic tone? After watching Penn State at home against Indiana, they don't look like the same team who went 9-0 and relatively mowed through their schedule. Michigan State very well could win this game if Ringer can get the run going (tough against Penn State, ask Ohio State), strike early to take the crowd out of it, and play smart mistake free (a la, Dantonio ball). I was bold enough to pick the upset, have faith.

FOOTBALL REIGNS…

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November 22, 2008 01:05 PM ET

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If, if, if...

Nothing's ever impossible, of course. However...

IF I could look at this season and say "gee, they've got some more in the tank and maybe they'll bring this out against Penn State," then I'd think better on this.

But as noted, I think these players and their coach have really sold out on every game and nearly every play. Supurb discipline. Sure, there were mistakes that could have been corrected. But that's hindsight talk.

Realistically, I think this team has been performing well beyond their redline all year. A credit to them as people, but also an indication that it's not fair to expect more.

Unfortunately, I think Penn State is better and beat Michigan State's best without necessarily giving theirs. That's not a recipie for an upset.

Ken Braun

Lansing, MI

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November 22, 2008 11:01 PM ET

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Here's what sucks; Oregon State vs. Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Been there done that. I feel bad for the kids. We so need a playoff system.

Please don't take this the wrong way. The ducks have a great team and that USC win was amazing.

tooncat

Fairview , TN

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November 23, 2008 05:04 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 11:01 PM ET 11.22 by tooncat

...We so need a playoff system...

Don't you just love how they can claim anything as an argument for a playoff system?

Anyhow, I haven't commented much (since I don't know the details of MSU) but I have enjoyed scanning your blogs this year.

I don't know about next year.

You need to give the coach some time to build up recruitment.
MSU recruiting is currently ranked 5th in the B10, 33rd overall.
08-9th/56th... 07-7th/51st... 06-7th/43rd...05-7th/40th... 04-4th/13th
Give him 3 more years to build up recruiting that had been going downhill.

You also need to give the program time to build up facilities - in the modern area, I don't just mean practice and playing facilities. This needs money, and money needs success.
MSU AD budget is currnetly at $63M - more than twice that of the lowest of the major 6 and the best of the programs outside the major 6, but only 60% of the highest. An additional mil or 2 from better bowls will do the trick.

, and the university to raise more money (goes with the success) for a facility upgrade.

Prove It

Frellin Cold In, AK

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November 25, 2008 12:56 AM ET

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Prove It...

I'm not opposed to a playoff, mind you, but... yeah... the relevance of the thing was kind of lost on me with the #3 message (thus why no reply.)

Also, I'm kind of coming around to your way of thinking. Ideally, I'd prefer the way it used to be with no national title game. I'd prefer that we just give the best mid majors a fair shot at the BCS games and then let the final votes fall where they may in deciding the mythical title.

Anyway, see my most recent post for an expanded idea of how I see next year for Michigan State and the team's progress thus far.

Thanks also for the visits and the compliment, btw.