Trap game for Sparty?They aren't good enough to have trap games
| Illinois Fighting Illini (3-3, 5-4) at Michigan State Spartans (2-3, 4-4) |
| 3:30 - East Lansing, MI - FS1 |
| I'm not sure if it's momentum, or recent expectations, but man, these two two teams, with similar records, could not feel farther apart. That what happens when you have a five week stretch of playing the conference's three best teams, two on the road, with a pair of bye weeks sprinkled in. The last time Michigan State fans saw their team have a pulse was now 6 weeks ago. The Spartans still sit 30 spots higher in SP+ than the Illini, who are in the midst of their first three game winning streak of any type since 2011, and their first three game Big Ten winning streak since the 2007 Rose Bowl team. If they can beat a reeling Michigan State team, it's their first 4 game conference winning streak since the 2001 Big Ten champion team won their final 7 after a Big Ten opener loss at Michigan. I think this comes down to whether Illinois' defense is actually good, or just fake good. Prior to this three game winning streak the Illini were on a 4 game losing streak, that included giving up 34 points to an Eastern Michigan team that ranks #10 in the MAC in scoring offense, and surrendered 40+ points in the other three games. So did they fix something? Well, against Wisconsin, they still allowed 420 yards, and only forced 2 punts. They just also forced three turnovers, and were able to force Wisconsin to kick field goals, 4 of them. Then they played Purdue, and their backup quarterback, in a driving rain, and then Rutgers. And well, giving up 10 points to a Rutgers offense that had scored 14 points TOTAL in their first Big Ten games combined isn't exactly outstanding. But is Michigan State's defense good? Yeah, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State are elite, but this defense held up against everyone last year, and just didn't get the offense to support them. The Spartans defense looked in September to pick up right where they left off, but since the Indiana game, just haven't. In conference play, the Spartans are #10 in scoring defense, #9 in run defense, #7 in pass defense, and #7 in total defense. They are winning 1st and 2nd down, and then giving up 3rd down conversions at 43% of the time. But, again that has been against 4 of the best offenses in the country. If the Spartans can hang onto the ball, I think Illinois' defense is still bad. Don't get me wrong, so is Michigan State's offense, but they've shown life, against Western Michigan, Northwestern and Indiana. Not the stiffest competition, but probably better data points than Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin. The Illini lead the Big Ten in turnover margin, and lead the nation in takeaways. If Michigan State doesn't turn the ball over, they should have enough offense, for at least this week. |
| MICHIGAN STATE 28, ILLINOIS 19 |
You'll be back at it if he beats mich again next week.Nope, done. And staying close to Michigan, let alone beating them, just means Harbaugh should be fired.
Lovie gets a bowl game and probably a contract extension
And Michigan State stays home.... unpredictable things make college football exciting. Just in the Big Ten, look how much has happened no one could have predicted.Not that it matters, but we still have Maryland and Rutgers, so we could still get bowl eligible
You'll be back at it if he beats mich again next week.Mark is 2-2 against Michigan, but let's be honest guy would be 1-3 vs Michigan if not for one of the biggest fluke endings in a game any of us have ever seen.
Mark is 2-2 against Michigan, but let's be honest guy would be 1-3 vs Michigan if not for one of the biggest fluke endings in a game any of us have ever seen.Eh, I don't think he should be allowed to retire when he wants. I think he should be allowed to retire this year. If he refuses, then I think you have to fire him. They are already bordering on undoing everything he did.
I'm with ELA. Mark should be able to retire when he wants, he's earned that right, but it's pretty clear the game has kind of passed him by. MSU should be in search mode for the next guy right now and planning for the future. Nothing to be ashamed of. It happens to EVERY great coach. The best ADs move on at the right time. Even from legendary coaches.
And if Mark does beat Harbaugh this coming Saturday, says more about Harbaugh than Mark honestly.
Eh, I don't think he should be allowed to retire when he wants. I think he should be allowed to retire this year. If he refuses, then I think you have to fire him. They are already bordering on undoing everything he did.I don't think they should fire him after this year. I think they should give him at least next year before they do that. If he can't right the ship in 2020, then maybe fire him. He really built MSU from the ashes into a legitimate power-house program. 3 of the last 4 years have been a little rough obviously- but the guy was 10-3 in 2017 and in the playoff in 2015. He's an all-time great B1G coach and the best MSU has ever had imo.
Only way I'd let him back is with a total offensive overhaul, where he names an OC/coach in waiting like a Matt Canada to take over in 2021, so he can let Spartans give him the goodbye he deserves.
Eh, I don't think he should be allowed to retire when he wants. I think he should be allowed to retire this year. If he refuses, then I think you have to fire him. They are already bordering on undoing everything he did.Matt Canada would be an great hire. Not sure why Maryland thought not.
Only way I'd let him back is with a total offensive overhaul, where he names an OC/coach in waiting like a Matt Canada to take over in 2021, so he can let Spartans give him the goodbye he deserves.
Somebody somewhere will take a flier on Kiffin next year I suspect. There are going to be openings obviously and not many candidates for them.That's what I was thinking. I would not be surprised if MSU was looking his way already.
Fickle is going to be in demand I think.
He's not really doing all that well at Pitt.To be fair, neither did his predecessor.
847 why did he leave Madtown?I believe he didn't see I2I with Ogeron perhaps in B.R.He really didn't have a choice. He and the head coach were oil and water. Bielema would have fired him after the season, but Bielema left anyway. Then Paul Chryst was hired and is offensive coach.
I believe I saw Pitt has the 2nd best ACC conference record, behind only Clemson, during Narduzzi's tenure, so he's done better than it seems. That said, apparently he's happy where he at.Bite your tongue.
I think ideally (realistically) Canada as OC/CIW, taking over in 2021 is my first choice. If we have to hire someone for next year, Fickell is probably #1, followed by Matt Campbell, if Narduzzi truly isn't interested. I also like the idea of Wilcox or Leonhard, and then hiring an OC with total control.
That said, it'll be Mike Tressel