CBS: Think bigger, Big Ten ... Michigan State (not Ohio State) still best

[BleedGopher]

per Fowler:

Is there a conference that leans too heavily on tradition more than the Big Ten?

So your best team from last year -- you know, the team that won a Rose Bowl and would have been in a four-team playoff -- could actually be better this year. Or at least "deeper," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio says. It finally has an offense Dantonio's arm-punting Big Ten peers could be proud of. The Spartans' three toughest conference games are all in East Lansing.

Yet, somehow, Michigan State is picked to finish second in the league by about three touchdowns to Ohio State, which visits Spartan Stadium on Nov. 8.

No knock on Ohio State, which has shown no signs of regression. Braxton Miller is poised for a huge year. If Urban Meyer finds a Percy Harvin clone out of his stable of playmakers, it's over.

But assuming the Buckeyes are clear-cut conference winners is just predictable.

Instead, meet Michigan State, your likely 2014 overall Big Ten champion, and understatedly so.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...chigan-state-not-ohio-state-is-your-best-team

Go Gophers!!

 

[Sparlimb]

I have a lot of respect for Dantonio and how he built that team. Defense wins and they sure have it. We appear to be where Mich St was about 4 years ago. Hopefully we can ride the same spot up to the top. I hope the Spartans go undefeated and win it all. Well, until they meet us in the national championship game...

 

[husker70]

Three non conference games will either end the chances or establish the Big 10. 1. Michigan Sate at Oregon. Two of the top 4? Some thing is going to give. Virginia Tech at OSU. If there is one thing VA Tech brings its defense and special teams they also bring the lunch box. Does OSU prevail? And to kick it off in Dallas The School to the East travels to meet LSU. Now Les has said he really likes his team. Can the Big 10 Sweep? I don't think so. Could they lose all three?

 

[corcoran1]

My expectation is that MSU and OSU will win. Nameless U, which could have beaten LSU last year, will have too many changes on defense to be great early, and probably will not win. However, given the fact that LSU is a speed D, Nameless U might be able to control the ball better than I think they can and LSUs offense generally stinks, so Nameless U might pull it off..

 

[dpodoll68]

We appear to be where Mich St was about 4 years ago.

So...your prediction is 11 wins, a top 15 national finish, and a New Year's Day Bowl?

 

[MaxyJR1]

So...your prediction is 11 wins, a top 15 national finish, and a New Year's Day Bowl?

Your posts are like a train wreck to me. I have to click on every thread I see you post to. I know it will be good.

 

[dpodoll68]

Your posts are like a train wreck to me. I have to click on every thread I see you post to. I know it will be good.

Um, thanks?

 

[Hound Dogs]

So...your prediction is 11 wins, a top 15 national finish, and a New Year's Day Bowl?

Agreed. I think we're a little bit farther from where MSU was 4 years ago but i think its fair to say in the next few years its plausible to think that we can win double digit games and challenge for the division and conference titles if things continue to progress on and off the field the way they have been. I mean honestly we were a missed wide open Drew Goodger TD and missed FG away from beating MSU and should have beat SU in the bowl game. There's a ten win season right there. We're on the cusp!

 

[maroonedinCA]

Agreed. I think we're a little bit farther from where MSU was 4 years ago but i think its fair to say in the next few years its plausible to think that we can win double digit games and challenge for the division and conference titles if things continue to progress on and off the field the way they have been. I mean honestly we were a missed wide open Drew Goodger TD and missed FG away from beating MSU and should have beat SU in the bowl game. There's a ten win season right there. We're on the cusp!

We also could have easily lost to Indiana. That's why playing this game is stupid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sparlimb]

So...your prediction is 11 wins, a top 15 national finish, and a New Year's Day Bowl?

Well, at least, that's what I'm hoping for. A lot of things will need to go our way, but a guy can dream. I was more referring to MSU going through a period with a top notch defense and an offense that was a few pegs below that level.

 

[Sparlimb]

Three non conference games will either end the chances or establish the Big 10. 1. Michigan Sate at Oregon. Two of the top 4? Some thing is going to give. Virginia Tech at OSU. If there is one thing VA Tech brings its defense and special teams they also bring the lunch box. Does OSU prevail? And to kick it off in Dallas The School to the East travels to meet LSU. Now Les has said he really likes his team. Can the Big 10 Sweep? I don't think so. Could they lose all three?

I also think OSU and MSU will win. I think the MSU game will look much like the last few Stanford v Oregon games where a defense that can shut down Oregon is all that's really needed.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Agreed. I think we're a little bit farther from where MSU was 4 years ago.

That would be quite a season for the Gophers. Four years ago (2010 season) MSU finished 11-2 and shared the Big Ten title with Ohio State (since vacated) and Wisconsin.

 

[Sparlimb]

That would be quite a season for the Gophers. Four years ago (2010 season) MSU finished 11-2 and shared the Big Ten title with Ohio State (since vacated) and Wisconsin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Michigan_State_Spartans_football_team

Both losses were big losses and most Big Ten wins (outside of us) were pretty close. That said, 11-2 is likely out of the question for us...

 

[husker70]

OOh I forgot about two more for teams looking to go to a playoff or ..... Michigan at Notre Dame, Miami at Nebraska. The committee has stated they will value strength of schedule, but really only if you win.

 

[maroonedinCA]

Well, at least, that's what I'm hoping for. A lot of things will need to go our way, but a guy can dream. I was more referring to MSU going through a period with a top notch defense and an offense that was a few pegs below that level.

You're under rating the MSU offense from back then. Cousins was elite in the B1G, they had a good crop of WRs and a solid run game.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[die hard gopher]

You're under rating the MSU offense from back then. Cousins was elite in the B1G, they had a good crop of WRs and a solid run game.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 starting NFL backs, 2 NFL receivers and a second string NFL QB.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

2 starting NFL backs, 2 NFL receivers and a second string NFL QB.

Cobb, Jones; Jones, Holland Jr., Leidner.

Don't laugh, Cobb currently ranked #9 back in 2015 draft and I think his stock will move higher after this season.

 

[die hard gopher]

Cobb, Jones; Jones, Holland Jr., Leidner.

Don't laugh, Cobb currently ranked #9 back in 2015 draft and I think his stock will move higher after this season.

#9 not including underclassmen.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

There were 22 backs drafted. How many underclassmen projected to come out early?

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I think the trend of players declaring early is hitting it's high tide due the following fact:

" A record number of 98 (underclassmen) declared for this year’s NFL Draft; 36 went undrafted, and nine of those were former SEC players."

That's pretty scary. No schollie, no pigskin, no great prospects.

 

[die hard gopher]

There were 22 backs drafted. How many underclassmen projected to come out early?

Never mind then.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

17 underclassmen RBs declared for the NFL draft. Only 10 were drafted out of 22 total RB/FB draftees.