The official 2011 MICHIGAN STATE football thread

[MxRacerCam]

Looks like ESPN has us ranked 15th in the pre-season polls. I think it's a pretty reasonable position. I'm just hoping for a better bowl performance this year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=6009707

15. Michigan State Spartans The Spartans won a share of their first Big Ten championship in two decades, but the season was somewhat spoiled by their 42-point loss to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. Coach Mark Dantonio will have to rebuild both sides of the ball, but he has a good nucleus coming back on offense with quarterback Kirk Cousins and running backs Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell. Replacing linebackers Eric Gordon and Greg Jones, a two-time All-American, will be a priority in the spring. There also might be a new direction on offense, after coordinator Don Treadwell left to become the new head coach at Miami (Ohio). The Spartans' 2011 fortunes might be decided during a four-game stretch in October: at Ohio State, home against Michigan and Wisconsin, and at Nebraska.

 

[Swifster]

I'll go along with that. I actually thought Slabach(SP) was being geneous. Of course this ranking means zip. I probably would have them around #20. But better than being unranked.

I liked Rittenburg's Power Rankings for the Big Ten. 1) OSU 2) UW 3) Neb 4) MSU and advising these are in a group by themselves. Meeechigan was #9, just above Purdue, Minnesota and Indiana.

 

[MxRacerCam]

yeah, i don't have any delusions of grandeur for next season. i think we'll be competitive. with us having a good shot at beating OSU next season, it could be very interesting...

 

[Swifster]

Depending on OSU, I can see being 6-2 or 5-3 in the Big Ten. I think Nebraska wins the division.

 

[4 cam tbird]

Anyone want to road trip to Lincoln? I'll join you even if the ride home would be INCREDIBLY long for me if MSU wins :lol:

 

[Swifster]

Sure, I'm not that far out of the way. Come down and pick me up.

 

[Swifster]

Recruiting appears to be going well with 18 commitments. BUT, Joe Boisture has decided to transfer after redshirting in 2010. While this really won't be a problem in 2011, he was expected to compete for the starting job at QB with Andrew Maxwell in 2012. Conner Cook will be a redshirt freshman in 2012 and Maxwell will be a Jr. Boisture would have been the 3rd string QB this year, but now this goes back to Keith Nichol. I guess he didn't want to wait his turn... I wonder if he goes back to Boston College.

 

[natzke4]

yeah, i don't have any delusions of grandeur for next season. i think we'll be competitive. with us having a good shot at beating OSU next season, it could be very interesting...

Probably not. Losing to PSU, Wiscy, Iowa, Nebraska, OSU and ND will put you guys at 6-6.

 

[Swifster]

Probably not. Losing to PSU, Wiscy, Iowa, Nebraska, OSU and ND will put you guys at 6-6.

Keep dreaming...

It also shows what you know. MSU doesn't play PSU. I'm thinking the losses would be at OSU, vs Wisconsin and at Nebraska. That's 9-3. I like how you admit that UM will lose to MSU again...

 

[Marc@AutoLavish]

I think Michigan will either go 7-5 and lose their bowl game or go 6-6 and win it. Either way, I'm getting a 7-6 year.

 

[moneypit]

Nothing says Michigan State better than

 

[jsxtreme]

Honest question for you guys. A few weeks ago, Mike Valenti was all bent out of shape because people refer to MSU fans and players as "sparty's" or "sparties" how ever you want to spell it. Do a lot of you sparties feel the same way?

I'll hang up and listen, thanks.

 

[MxRacerCam]

well, i didn't hear what his response was about it... but as someone who went there, i'm a spartan. sparty is our mascot. it's not enough to bother me... i'm proud either way!

 

[Swifster]

As mentioned, Sparty is the statue, and a grad or student was a Spartan. But I get being called a Sparty as a nickname and don't consider it an issue. I didn't hear Valenti's response to figure out why his panties were in a bunch. I think it's a none issue.