Reaction to Michigan's 41-30 win over Notre Dame

Michigan got a big win at home Saturday night and Devin Gardner got a marquee win as starting quarterback of the Wolverines under his belt.

He almost let the game get away from him, but composed himself and helped lead the offense to finish the job in the fourth quarter.

There is reason for optimism at Michigan. It is now 2-0 and looking at a schedule that should allow the Wolverines to be 7-0 heading into the home stretch of the season.

The offense was great, racking up 460 yards of offense on Notre Dame. The Wolverines consistently moved the ball down the field and Devin Gardner took a step forward as a quarterback while Jeremy Gallon further improved his status as a playmaker.

Gardner finished with 294 yards and four touchdowns on 21 of 33 passing while rushing for 82 yards on 13 carries and a score. Gardner also overcame a bad situation in the game. Up 14 in the third quarter, he made a poor decision by trying to extend a play when it wasn’t necessary. He could have taken a sack and the game would have been in Michigan’s control, but instead he ran backwards into the end zone. From there, instead of take the safety that was inevitable, he tried to heave the ball away while being hit, but it ended up being caught by the Irish in the end zone for a touchdown, completely changing the complexion of the game.

Had Notre Dame went on to win and Gardner folded from that point forward, it could have changed the whole dynamic of the season and his career. Instead, he bounced back and threw another touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Gallon had a tremendous game, catching eight passes for 184 yards. He made play after play for Gardner. Some were ad-libbed, and some were not. He is clearly establishing himself as a top receiver in the Big Ten.

Where Michigan can be somewhat concerned is on defense. The Wolverines gave up 410 yards to Notre Dame, including 314 passing yards. Michigan had plenty of chances to keep Notre Dame from staying in this game, but the defense just couldn’t get the stops.

Michigan isn’t going to face any powerful offenses for at least a month, so the Wolverines have time to fix the problems, but Michigan will certainly face better offenses than Notre Dame as the season progresses. The Wolverines found themselves getting pushed around up front later in the contest. It could have been fatigue, but it’s something that will have to be addressed.

All-in-all, it was a good night for Michigan and a big win on national television.

Michigan and Michigan State are both 2-0, but both fan bases have to feel drastically different about the state of their current teams.

Predictions for MSU vs. USF and Michigan vs. Notre Dame

South Florida at Michigan State

Despite the offensive struggles Michigan State had last weekend, the defense still looked very strong. Now the Spartans face a South Florida team that had just 342 yards of offense against McNeese State while allowing 424 total yards to the Cowboys. If Michigan State can’t consistently move the ball against the Bulls on Saturday afternoon, then there should be some real concerns about the MSU offense. I expect the Spartan defense to make some big plays early on, maybe even score a touchdown, and allow the offense to play with less pressure. No matter who is under center for MSU, they should be able to lead the offense to multiple scores.

Michigan State 34, South Florida 13

Notre Dame at Michigan

The Fighting Irish and Brian Kelly have given Michigan every reason to be pumped up for this game. Kelly gave the Wolverines the bulletin board material by saying Michigan wasn’t a “historic” rival for the Fighting Irish. Brady Hoke has probably been beating his players over the head with that. Adding to it all is the fact that this game is on national television and under the lights at the Big House. The crowd should be electric and carry Michigan to a strong start. If Devin Gardner can avoid turnovers, Michigan should be able to win this game. The Wolverines’ defense will be able to apply pressure to Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees. From there, it will be up to Rees to make good decisions, which I don’t think he will. With an early lead, the Michigan offense can control the ball and have steady drives on the ground and through the air. I don’t think the Wolverines will run away with this one, but I do think they will lead for nearly all of the game.

Michigan 27, Notre Dame 17

Week 2 Odds for Michigan and Michigan State

The first week of the college football season is closing today and the second week is nearing. Here is a look at the odds for Michigan and Michigan State this week.

Michigan State –18.5 vs. South Florida

The Spartans remain in East Lansing to host South Florida this upcoming Saturday. Michigan State is coming off its 26-13 win over Western Michigan where the offense struggled and the defense looked strong. South Florida, on the other hand, looked awful, as the Bulls were hammered at home by McNeese State, 53-21. The Bulls gave up 424 yards of offense to McNeese State while amassing just 342 yards. One would think that the Spartans will be able to move the ball better against the Bulls and South Florida should struggle to move the ball against the MSU defense. The 18.5-point spread wouldn’t be much for MSU to cover, but the offense didn’t give us much faith that it can put up points.

Michigan -3 vs. Notre Dame

Michigan looked good in its 59-9 win over Central Michigan, but the Wolverines can play better. Notre Dame had a 28-6 win over Temple at home on Saturday in which the Fighting Irish amassed 543 yards of offense. Notre Dame gave up 362 yards of offense to Temple, so there is a sense that Michigan can move the ball against the Irish. The question will be can Devin Gardner make the key throws and avoid turnovers? Turnovers destroyed Michigan’s chances of beating Notre Dame last season and could tell the tale of this game. The Michigan defense will be tested by Notre Dame’s offense, but don’t look for the Irish to pile up 500 yards against the Wolverines. As the spread indicates, this should be a close game.

News and Notes from Dantonio's weekly presser

Mark Dantonio held his weekly press conference on Tuesday. Here are some news and notes to come out of that.

Depth Chart Notes

- Tight end Dion Sims is not listed on this week’s depth chart. Dantonio said that Sims won’t play this week but will test out the ankle in the next few days to determine just how long he could be out. Paul Lang, Andrew Gleichert and Derek Hoebing are all listed as possible starters at tight end.

- Nick Hill is no longer the starter at punt returner. MSU lists Andre Sims Jr. and Le’Veon Bell as the possible starters. Dantonio wanted to take the stress off Hill, but he still has confidence in him to catch a punt.

- At the Star Linebacker position, MSU lists Chris Norman OR Tawian Jones as the starter.

- Lawrence Thomas OR Niko Palazeti will start at fullback.

- R.J. Williams OR Kurtis Drummond at listed at starters at free safety.

- Aaron Burbridge holds his starting spot at receiver after his impressive showing at Indiana.

Dantonio thoughts

- Felt the Indiana game was a tale of two halves. He thought the team didn’t do very well the first half but played extremely well the second half.

- Felt the team was going to make a statement in the second half, good or bad. They made it a good one by coming back to win.

- He singled out the play of Max Bullough, Burbridge, Bennie Fowler and Bell as to who stepped up in the win.

- When asked about Johnny Adams, Dantonio said he should have had some help on the deep balls he was beat on. Pointed to missed assignments from the safety that left Adams in a tough spot. He is sticking with Adams.

- He felt the team was ready to play on Saturday but they got gassed and disoriented early on. Said it was tough to simulate Indiana’s style of play.

- Dantonio said that teams are never as bad as people say and never as good either. Felt that two losses to undefeated teams, with one of them by just one point, is no cause for too much concern. Had they beat Ohio State, Dantonio feels people would be singing a different tune.

- Said the positives of the situation is that they have raised expectations at MSU. The negative that comes with that is the additional pressure. He said pressure is good, but stress is not and they won’t stress about what they can’t control.

- Dantonio feels Andrew Maxwell is growing as a quarterback and that he has great command of the huddle. Said in the growing process you can take a step back and then take two steps forward. Felt after the first quarter at Indiana, Maxwell played very well. Dantonio would like to see Maxwell do a better job of turning the bad plays into good plays when something breaks down.

- When it comes to the offensive line, the coaches realized Blake Treadwell wasn’t ready to play after the first quarter at Indiana. Not sure if he will be ready to go on Saturday. He could start which would impact both the guard and center positions with Jack Allen in the mix at both spots.

- On the personal fouls, Dantonio didn’t agree on all the calls on Saturday. He said there is a huge emphasis on protecting players these days and that makes it difficult for the refs. Some of the calls were obvious, but not all of them.

- Thomas is a player that could see more action in the passing game as the fullback. Dantonio feels that he has a similar look and style to Sims.

Little Brother Scale After Week 5

It seems like with each passing week, Michigan State and Michigan are losing their appeal in the national football picture.

The impression of Denard Robinson’s performance against Notre Dame still lingered on in the bye week and Michigan State once again looked flat in a loss to Ohio State.

With both teams now sitting outside the top 25 rankings, the season already feels like a disappointment.

But, due to the struggles of the Big Ten, both the Spartans and the Wolverines have the ability to win the conference title.

It is going to take some work and a lot of improvement, but the possibility is still there.

MSU is making some changes to its offense in hopes to create a spark. The Spartans are currently last in the Big Ten in scoring at just 20 points per game.

The MSU defense does lead the Big Ten in scoring (12.8 ppg) and yards (266.4 ypg), but the Spartans have been susceptible to the big play and it has cost them in both of their losses.

For Michigan, the defense started slow but has been showing improvement. The Wolverines actually have the top passing defense in the Big Ten, but have the second-worst rushing defense in the conference.

Offensively, Michigan has the ability to score and score often. It also has the ability to turn the ball over often. Denard Robinson has been hit-or-miss, as he has eight interceptions this year, which sits third in the nation for most INTs.

This week, both teams have what would be considered “easier” games on their Big Ten schedule.

Michigan State goes to woeful Indiana and Michigan heads to Purdue.

The Spartans should have no difficulty in this game, but stranger things have happened. If this game in any way resembles MSU’s recent performances, it is going to be a very long year in East Lansing.

Michigan has a tougher opponent, as the Boilermakers look like a possible contender. Winning on the road isn’t always easy, but if Michigan expects to contend for the Big Ten title, this one is a must.

The Wolverines have had two weeks to prepare for this game and Denard Robinson said he would be “re-focused” following his performance at Notre Dame. This game is a statement game for Michigan, but it is yet to be seen what that statement will be.

When it comes to the weekly scale, I still feel like Michigan is gaining on the Spartans. Michigan has lost to tougher opponents and lost both games on the road. MSU has been in a three-week funk and their issues keep piling up, as the Spartans lost center Travis Jackson for the season.

I don’t know that MSU can do anything to improve its offensive line going forward. Michigan can correct its issues on offense by limiting turnovers and the defense should keep getting better.

MSU still has the edge in the scale due to their four-year hold on the rivalry, but things are shaping up for a change in power if the Spartans don’t get their act together.

Little Brother Scale: MSU 16 ½, Michigan 15 ½

Big Ten Teleconference Quotes from Brady Hoke

Another Big Ten Teleconference was held on Tuesday. Earlier this morning it was announced that Notre Dame is cancelling games with Michigan from 2015-17, meaning the final meeting in the foreseeable future between the Wolverines and Irish will be in the 2014 season.

Here is a collection of some of the quotes from Michigan’s Brady Hoke during Tuesday’s teleconference. I forgot to hit record for the Mark Dantonio portion of the call, but will add his comments when the replay is put online. My apologies for that.

Brady Hoke

Opening thoughts on last week: Obviously coming off a hard-fought game in South Bend on Saturday night. We had some opportunities. Give Notre Dame credit, they played good football. We’ve got to take care of the football better. We’ve got to execute better on both sides of the ball. Our team will take this week and we will get better in fundamentals and techniques and we will get ready for the Big Ten season.

Does having a bye week prior to Big Ten play help: Bye weeks are so tricky, to some degree, and what you want to get accomplished each year and your team’s are all different; the maturity of your team, the youth of your team. I think for us, at this point, I would say it’s a good time for us to re-evaluate where we are at and re-evaluate some of the personnel and, also, to get better as a football team from a standpoint of playing your position and doing your job.

On the defense: I think we were better last week. We have to continue that trend. I thought the effort and the demeanor that our defense played with during the course of the game was, really, kept us in the football game. We’ve got to improve upon that. You’ve got to make plays when the opportunity is there and we, unfortunately, didn’t do that a couple times.

On Notre Dame opting out of the agreement with Michigan: My reaction is they are doing…Notre Dame made a decision. That’s not our decision. Dave (Brandon) told me on Sunday about what was going to happen. It’s unfortunate and it’s a great rivalry and all those things, but they have to do what they think is best. We’ll move on and it adds some new scheduling opportunities for us.

On Devin Gardner’s injury states: He’s fine.

On scheduling and the importance of strength of schedule: I think we have done a pretty good job here at scheduling. Obviously, the national rivalry with Notre Dame, when that was on the schedule, your strength of schedule was pretty good. We opened up with Alabama this year and played Air Force, which is a good Mountain West team. I think that is all part of it.

On the struggles of the Big Ten: One thing is, first and foremost, I think we have a great conference. A great conference from many standpoints. From the academic standpoint of the universities that are in this conference to the competitiveness to the student-athletes and how they react. Do we want to play better? There is no question. I don’t think there is a coach in America that doesn’t want to play better no matter what your record is. I think our conference will continue to be as good a conference as there is and I think the coaches and the student-athletes work very hard.

Weekend Recap: More confused than ever

I give up.

I am done trying to figure out Michigan and Michigan State this year, or the entire Big Ten for that matter.

Here are my final thoughts on the Spartans and Wolverines for the weekend.

MSU

Just a few weeks ago, nobody was giving more praise to the Spartans than I was. I legitimately thought this team was a top-10 caliber program.

The defense looked so tough that I thought the Spartans could overcome all their offensive woes.

Turns out, I might be wrong.

Notre Dame was able to dominate MSU and then Eastern Michigan came into Spartan Stadium on Saturday and gave the Spartans a scare.

The defense was solid, but the offense was putrid.

There were drops, bad passes and plenty of offensive line issues. The only bright spot was Le’Veon Bell, but he had to do it all himself for the most part.

MSU can’t continue to rely on Bell to take 35 carries a game and survive. It is clear that when Bell is not on the field, the rest of the offense can’t function.

As Big Ten play starts, MSU is in need of a quick fix that might not be coming.

Mark Dantonio is on edge over the offense, as I said in my column for The Oakland Press.

The receivers need to start making plays and that should help Maxwell settle in at quarterback. The early drops seem to be getting into his head and that has led to some bad throws.

Right now, this team is all about Bell and defense and you can’t expect them to be perfect all the time.

Michigan

We all knew Denard Robinson wasn’t a great passer.

But, that had to be frustrating to watch.

The Michigan defense finally had a really solid performance this season, but it was washed away by an awful showing from the offense.

That game was Michigan’s for the taking, but when a team has six turnovers, it is hard to overcome.

I credit Robinson for shouldering all the blame. It shows leadership on his part. His problem is he continues to make amateur mistakes when throwing the ball. When under pressure, he has to throw the ball away or take a sack, not force something into the opposition.

I can understand wanting to make a play, but sometimes the best play to be made is the safest won. The way the defense played on Saturday, Denard didn’t have to win the game, he just had to not lose it. But, he did lose it.

The good news for Michigan is that it seems to be closer to solving its problems than Michigan State right now.

Denard will continue to put up impressive numbers against mediocre Big Ten defenses and the defense should keep improving with each week.

The test will come in those close games and whether Robinson will help or harm the Wolverines.

As great of a player and a weapon that he is, he still has the potential for a meltdown. It is the live by the sword, die by the sword situation that the Michigan offense is in.

Maybe this will be the game gets Robinson more composed and turns the season around. Time will tell.

Big Ten

On a final note, and in all seriousness, is this the worst the Big Ten has ever been?

Predictions for Michigan/MSU in Week 4

Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan

I will be attending this game and I expect it to be very lopsided. The Spartans should have no trouble on either side of the ball and will use this game to try and improve on their chemistry in the passing game. Similar to what Michigan looked to do last week against UMass, the Spartans will want to see control on the line of scrimmage from the offense and the defense. Look for Andrew Maxwell to have his best game yet as a starter as the Spartans look to get the taste of last week’s loss out of their mouths.

Michigan State 42, Eastern Michigan 6

Michigan vs. Notre Dame

Sure, Denard Robinson has a great history against Notre Dame. But, this doesn’t look to be the same Fighting Irish of past seasons. This team looks better. In fairness, Michigan looks worse than it did a year ago as well. The Wolverine defense has been very suspect against the run and that is something Notre Dame looks to be able to do very well. I expect the Irish to control tempo on offense and keep Michigan’s offense of the field. When Denard is on the field, he has the potential to make a big play, but he will need help from his receivers and good protection from the offensive line. The Notre Dame defense is very strong up front and should make things difficult for him. Michigan always has that “puncher’s chance” with Denard, but I don’t think he will have enough tricks up his sleeve on Saturday night. Notre Dame seems primed to have a 10-win season and make a return to the national picture.

Notre Dame 31, Michigan 20

Keys to victory for MSU/Michigan on Saturday

The fourth week of the season is just 24 hours away. Here is a look at my keys to victory for both games.

Eastern Michigan at Michigan State, 3:30 p.m.

Find some confidence on offense – This shouldn’t be difficult as Eastern Michigan is giving up over 500 yards per game. After last week’s performance the Spartans need to find something on offense that can give them some confidence heading into Big Ten play. Andrew Maxwell needs to find some chemistry with his receivers. The MSU receivers need to make plays and catch the ball consistently. The Spartan offensive line needs to open up running lanes for Le’Veon Bell and not force him to have to do most of the work. Regardless of what happens on Saturday, there will still be a lot of questions about the offense heading into the Ohio State game. But if the offense struggles on Saturday, there will be even more reason to be concerned.

Don’t let EMU get started – The MSU defense needs to keep the Eagles from establishing anything early. The Eagles would ideally like to be a running team, but if they find themselves behind by a lot early, it makes them a passing team. If the defense can force some quick stops, the offense should be able to put this game away early.

Get Dan Conroy some confidence – Like the offense, MSU’s kicker could use a little confidence as well. In some odd stats, Conroy is 4-for-4 on kicks from 20-29 yards and 50 yards or more, yet is 0-for-3 on kicks from 30-49 yards. With the struggles of the offense (which will still be a problem entering conference play) the Spartans are going to have to rely on Conroy to be consistent. On Saturday, hitting a few field goals in that 30-49 range will do a lot for him going forward. I am not saying the Spartans should kill drives for Conroy’s sake, but I do expect a few opportunities to arise.

Michigan at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.

Attack the weakened secondary – Notre Dame has nightmares about what Denard Robinson has done to them. It seems as if the Irish front seven on defense are finally capable of containing his running ability. However, Notre Dame is dealing with a lot of inexperience in the secondary, especially with safety Jamoris Slaughter now out for the season. I am not typically one to encourage a lot of passing from Robinson, but this could be a game where he could do some damage with his arm if his receivers can step up and win 1-on-1 battles. Similar to the fourth quarter of last year’s game, there may need to be some balls tossed in the air on Saturday. Look for Devin Gardner and Devin Funchess to be targeted a lot with their bigger frames.

Protect Denard – In order for Key 1 to happen, the offensive line is going to have to play better than it has. The Fighting Irish have 11 sacks in three games and their pressure on Andrew Maxwell last week caused the MSU offense to crumble. Robinson has the running ability to avoid pressure, but the Irish may have the speed to keep up with him this year.

Contain the run – Notre Dame was able to run the ball well enough that Everett Golson didn’t have to win the game on his own last week. Golson still made some big plays when needed, but Brian Kelly has to be thinking about keeping it simple for his quarterback. The Wolverines are giving up an average of 211.3 rushing yards per game this season. Notre Dame can run the ball and will run the ball if Michigan allows it. The Michigan front seven has to be up to the challenge and contain the run. If not, Notre Dame will be able to control the ball with lengthy drives and keep Denard and the offense off the field.

BONUS KEY – Create Turnovers – In a game like this, turnovers will be crucial. Michigan has failed to create turnovers consistently on defense. Saturday would be a good day for the Wolverines to change that trend. The opportunity will be there for the secondary to make plays, so someone will have to step up.

What ND/EMU are saying about Michigan/MSU

As I do each Thursday, I thought I would see what the opponents for MSU and Michigan are saying about Saturday’s games.

Notre Dame

Earlier this week, the focus for Notre Dame was on moving past Michigan State.

Brian Hamilton, of The Chicago Tribune, has a piece about Brian Kelly quickly having his team forget about last week’s win and thinking about Saturday’s game with the Wolverines

"As soon as we got in the locker room, (Kelly) brought us down to earth," tailback Cierre Wood said. "He said celebrate, but also know this isn't anything. We haven't reached our peak yet. We haven't done anything."

As of Sunday, Notre Dame (3-0) has a sparkly No. 11 ranking, its best since late 2006. It has a bitter rival visiting for another night-game spectacle. And it has the memory of what happened under similar circumstances last year, as it is possible facial bones never set properly after the Irish fell on them.

The article also talks about the injury issues for the Irish as safety Jamoris Slaughter is now out for the year with a torn Achilles’ tendon. Three of the four starters in the Irish secondary are now in their first year of solid game action.

Eastern Michigan

It has already been a long season for Ron English and Eastern Michigan, as the Eagles are off to a 0-3 start.

It probably won’t get much better on Saturday when the Eagles head to East Lansing to face a Michigan State team eager to get the taste of last week’s game out of its mouth.

Joe Rexrode, of The Detroit Free Press, spoke with English about facing MSU and English didn’t see much weakness in the team.

"They look pretty good to me. That's an excellent football team," English said. "I know they dropped a few spots in the polls after that loss, but I think by the end of the year you'll see Michigan State back in the top 10."

The Eagles (0-3) don't appear to have much of a shot at their first win over MSU in nine tries Saturday. They are coming off a 54-16 loss at Purdue, and English's focus is on improvement this week before an off week and full immersion in Mid-American Conference play.

EMU ranks 120th out of 120 FBS teams in rush defense (312.3 a game) and 116th in total defense (514.3). English said his team has been "feast or famine" against the run -- solid for several plays before yielding a big one.

Another interesting note about this game is that EMU running backs coach is Mike Hart, the very same Mike Hart that made the “Little Brother” comments that have sparked the MSU run over Michigan for the last four seasons.

Hart is not taking interview requests this week.

Little Brother Scale after Week 3

Since introducing the Little Brother Scale during the offseason, things had continued to go well for Michigan State.

That all changed on Saturday.

The Spartans were soundly beaten by Notre Dame and their weaknesses coming into the season were amplified by a team that could contain their strengths.

It is too early to know just how good Notre Dame will be, but it is clear that MSU was a bit over-hyped (I include myself in that) after the first two weeks of the season.

With the Spartan performance, the door opens for Michigan to make some progress in the scale.

Not only because Michigan rolled UMass last week, but because the Wolverines face Notre Dame on Saturday.

The Wolverines have a track record of success against the Irish and another win over them would certainly build some confidence for the rest of the season.

Michigan still seems to be battling some issues of its own on the offensive line, which could be a factor on Saturday. Certainly the defense will have to come up with some big plays to keep the Irish to a low point total at home.

Michigan may have the athletes on offense to do what Michigan State couldn’t do, but the Wolverines are going to need someone other than Denard Robinson to step up.

MSU has a cake game against Eastern Michigan, and then the real test of where the Spartans are heading is next week when they host Ohio State.

For now, the Spartans are still ahead, but the gap is a little closer than last week.

LITTLE BROTHER SCALE: MSU 17¼, Michigan 14¾ 

Big Ten Teleconference quotes from Sept. 18

Brady Hoke

On this week: Obviously this is a special week. It’s a great rivalry game for us. It’s a fun game to be a part of either as a coach or a player. We were pleased with the win last Saturday, but we have to play a lot better than we did and we have to make the improvements we need to make from week to week.

Why has Denard Robinson been so successful against Notre Dame: I don’t know. I don’t know if anyone knows that. Every year is different. Every game is different. The pieces that are on the field are different. It has just been lucky for us…lucky for Michigan that he has played well late in ball games.

Are you concerned about the future of this rivalry with Notre Dame’s new agreement with the ACC: That’s probably a decision I will have nothing to do with. I think it’s a great rivalry from a national perspective. I don’t know…they have to take care of what they need to take care of by going into the ACC in the other sports and having the opportunity to play competitive games against people outside the conference. Believe me, we have enough going on here to worry about what we are doing.

What stood out the most about Denard’s performance last year against Notre Dame: No. 1, for three quarters we did nothing, on either side of the ball. So that’s what I remember the most. I think Denard, in the fourth quarter, played well. I think his receivers did a good job. I thought some of the adjustments Al Borges made were very good for us offensively. We just kept fighting away.

Is Denard a player that shines in the big games: I hope he shines in a lot of games. He is your quarterback and he handles the ball a lot. From my vantage point, we are just glad he’s our quarterback at Michigan.

Are you concerned about the physicality of your team: I think we need to play more physical. I think we need to play faster on both sides of the ball. I think finishing plays is something we need to do a better job at. When you look at defense, getting 11 guys to the football and the physicalness we want to play up front with. From the offensive standpoint, the movement at the line of scrimmage, so we can be a little more vertical in our run game. All those things are part of it.

What is Notre Dame bringing to the table defensively that is different from last year: When you watch them, their front seven is playing very aggressive. They held Michigan State to 50 yards rushing. I think they have done a tremendous job at the point of attack. They flow to the ball really, really well. They have created turnovers and opportunities for their offense. That’s a big part of the game of football, when you look at field position and opportunities and possessions for your offense that your defense can create.

Mark Dantonio

On last week: Tough loss this past weekend. It’s hard, but it’s very competitive out there and we want to get back on the right path, so we’re moving forward.

On losing at home during a big recruiting weekend and how that impacts landing the recruits: It helps every time you get a young man on campus. I think that is the main thing. A lot of our guys will come for the game experience. They will have the opportunity to maybe see a coach, possibly see me, but there will be another time they come where they will have an opportunity to sit down with the coach and talk and I think it is important that every time a young man comes to campus he sees a different aspect of what he is going to experience when he plays here. That’s what we’ve always tried to do here. If one guy can only come one weekend and he’s from a long ways away, we are going to try to give him the total exposure. It’s extremely competitive. On a day like the Notre Dame game, it’s extremely busy.

On Andrew Maxwell’s learning curve: I think a quarterback continues to grow. It’s a lot like golf. You can call the same play, but it’s always a different shot. You can be the same distance away from a hole, but its always a different shot you are taking. There are so many different things a quarterback is seeing, from different coverages to different pressures, blitzes, that no play that we run is too often the same because the different things that add up on it. I think he continues to develop. The thing I have been most impressed about Andrew is that he has a very strong arm, physically. He has a very good hand on our offensive, conceptually. He is extremely composed and resilient and he doesn’t panic under pressure. Those are the things that will bring him forward. The other things, if he can maintain those things, the other things will iron themselves out. It is an experience-based position. You just make great strides in every game you play. Especially when you are doing it for…. he is going into his fourth game this week as a starter. That’s not very many. When you look back and make a statement, for example, Kirk Cousins played 30 as a starter, or more. There is a learning curve, but I am very impressed and happy with what he has done.

On the potential for changes in the lineup: I think there are always guys that are in that area that they may start, they may not start based on their inexperiences and other things. Particularly at wide receiver and our remaining safety position and one of our defensive tackle positions. Those type of things, there is a little bit of play there because we have guys with similar abilities. It’s not like they’re playing bad football, it is just we have guys that are similar in their abilities at those particular positions that probably warrant opportunities.

What do you expect to see out of your receivers: I think for us to step forward we have to catch the ball cleanly. We have to make the tough catch. Credit Notre Dame with defending some balls and getting them out with the swat or something of that nature. But, you have to make the big play in the football game and you have to catch the deep ball. You have to have great run after catch. Those are the things you are trying to see who is able to create that and fill the void that Keshawn Martin, B.J. Cunningham and Keith Nichol left. Those guys were more experienced players and it was second nature to them to get the ball and go. For our guys right now, they are young and inexperienced, so they are getting the experience as we go. But, they are outstanding athletes and they have outstanding talent and they have the ability to catch the football from top to bottom. But they are young, and just like the quarterback, they have to get lined up properly and run the right route and play within the confines of your system.

Fair or Foul: Judging the Week 3 Criticisms

Things were pretty peaceful between Michigan and Michigan State fans after Week 2. Both teams won and put up some strong production numbers. There wasn’t much need for trash talk.

That peace time quickly went away this Saturday.

Following Michigan State’s loss to Notre Dame, 20-3, the Wolverine faithful came out and launched a full-force attack on the Spartans. In turn, MSU fans came back with some intriguing attacks of their own.

For that reason, I have to do another Fair or Foul

Argument from Michigan fans: MSU was exposed against Notre Dame and the Spartans are just a mid-level team again.

Nobody was hyping the Spartans more than I was last week. I thought their defense was among the best in the country and that would allow them to beat a team like Notre Dame. I definitely underestimated Notre Dame and what they would be able to do to the Spartans. Notre Dame exposed the MSU offense for the weaknesses we all knew they had coming into the season. The Spartan offensive line struggled to create running lanes and provide pass protection early, and that spelled MSU’s demise. While MSU was exposed, it doesn’t mean that the Spartans are back to being a mid-level team. Don’t forget, MSU lost 31-13 to Notre Dame last year and went on to an 11-win season. Granted, this year’s loss was at home, but the Spartans are still going to be a tough out in the Big Ten. VERDICT: FOUL

Argument from MSU fans: At least we didn’t lose 41-14 to Alabama.

This argument makes no sense at all. MSU lost at home to Notre Dame, a team that has been fighting to be in the top 25 in the past few years. Michigan lost, in virtually a road game, to top-ranked Alabama, the defending national champion. Through three games, Michigan is the only team to have scored points against Alabama. While I think Notre Dame is shaping up to have a strong year, the Fighting Irish are not the Crimson Tide. VERDICT: FOUL

Argument from Michigan fans: General mocking for losing to Notre Dame

Perhaps Michigan fans have forgotten that they head to South Bend this week. I think it would be wise to tone down the trash talk until that game is over. The biggest argument you will have so far this season that Michigan is the better team is if the Wolverines go into Notre Dame and come out with a win. But if Michigan loses, or gets dominated, all this trash talk is going to get thrown right back at you. I know Michigan has had Brian Kelly’s number, but it appears the Fighting Irish have some very good athletes on defense this season. VERDICT: FOUL

Argument from MSU fans: Why is Michigan talking trash at all? Four straight!

I can’t really argue with this one. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who loses to whom until Oct. 20. Michigan needs to beat Michigan State to stop the verbal assault. Even a win over Notre Dame this Saturday won’t change the last four meetings with the Spartans. For Michigan to get back some control of the in-state rivalry, it needs to win this year at home. VERDICT: FAIR

Final thoughts from Week 3

No matter if it was a 50-point win or a 17-point loss, both Michigan and Michigan State seemed disappointed when Saturday concluded.

Here are some closing thoughts from the weekend.

Notre Dame 20, MSU 3

I was quite surprised that Notre Dame won so convincingly. I thought it would be close, because I didn’t think the MSU offense would be able to dominate, but I didn’t see the defense allowing 20 points.

Don’t get me wrong, the defense still played well enough to win, allowing only 300 total yards, but they didn’t apply pressure to the quarterback and allowed a few big runs.

But the defense wasn’t the issue. The issue was the offense, and it was everyone on the offense.

We all knew that there were concerns about quarterback Andrew Maxwell and the inexperienced receivers heading into the season.

What I expected is that the offensive line would make up for some of those issues. However, on Saturday, the line was the big problem. They failed to open up running lanes and protect Maxwell. Then, when the Spartans had to become a passing team, Maxwell wasn’t comfortable.

The receivers dropped some passes and Maxwell seemed rattled, but this team needs the line to be stronger. I know that the Spartans were without Fonoti, but this is an issue that has been consistent this year.

Le’Veon Bell has been getting plenty of carries and has 357 yards rushing, but his ypc is just 4.4. Bell has to do most of the work to get his yardage.

The Spartans appear to be a team that is going to go as far as their offensive line can take them.

Michigan 63, UMass 13

Michigan looked good for the most part, but that was expected in this game.

Still, the mood after the game was disappointment from coach Brady Hoke.

I think Hoke saw what most of us saw. He saw that Michigan wasn’t overpowering UMass on the front lines. The Minutemen had a season-high rushing total against the Wolverines and Michigan didn’t have much success running the ball up the middle.

Denard Robinson was solid rushing the ball again, but some of his rushes came on scrambles and others came from getting outside the tackles.

Fitz Toussaint had 85 yards rushing, but on 15 carries. Against a team like UMass, you would like to see that average (5.7 ypc) a little higher.

What is also standing out is that Michigan is really lacking in playmakers outside of Robinson. Not just on offense, but defense too. I wrote a column about it in today’s Oakland Press

The Wolverines aren’t getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback from their defensive line and the back seven aren’t creating turnovers. The Wolverines still don’t have an interception this season through three games.

Next week should paint the real picture of what “Team 133” is going to be. I think the Wolverines have the speed to deal with Notre Dame’s defense, but the line is going to have to play much better.

It may take another shootout to win, but a win at Notre Dame right now would be the biggest win any team in the state would have this season.

Predictions for Week 3

UMass at Michigan, 3:30 p.m.

It seems impossible to conjure up a way that Michigan loses this game. UMass is bad. In fact, UMass may be the worst FBS team in the country. The Wolverines should have their way with the Minutemen and it shouldn’t take long for this game to get out of hand. I see Michigan winning easy, but the point spread for the game is around 45 points. I can never feel good about giving any team that many points. There are just too many things that can go wrong in that scenario. I see Michigan winning, but don’t know if they can cover the lofty odds.

Michigan 50, UMass 10

Notre Dame at MSU, 8 p.m.

This game should be exciting and filled with emotion. Both teams are off to strong starts and hopeful for a 10-win season. I think the fact that the Spartans are at home will really be the deciding factor in their victory. I see Everett Golson struggling in this one. It will be a tough environment for a freshman quarterback. I don’t see the MSU offense having great success, but doing enough to stay ahead of the Irish. With the lead, the MSU defense will make enough plays to keep the Spartans on top. It won’t be a pretty victory, but that is becoming MSU’s style.

Michigan State 20, Notre Dame 13

Keys to victory for MSU/Notre Dame, Michigan/UMass

We are just 24 hours away from another busy Saturday of college football. Here is a look at my three keys to victory for Michigan and Michigan State.

3 Keys for Michigan vs. UMass

Start Fast – UMass doesn’t have much to offer in this game, so Michigan needs to put the Minutemen away quickly. This is a game that should provide an opportunity for a lot of backups and underclassmen to get snaps, so it is important for Michigan to not let this game linger on into the second half.

Find Some Confidence On Defense – The Wolverines have not been strong on defense, particularly against the run and on the defensive line. Michigan needs to find a little confidence this week in that regard. The Wolverines should be able to overpower UMass up front and get into the backfield. Brady Hoke said he wants to see his guys do a better job of getting off blocks this week. If they can’t do that against UMass, there may not be a team they will be able to do it against.

Stay Healthy – This isn’t something Michigan has a lot of control over, but in a game like this, you don’t want to have anyone get injured. Don’t have Denard Robinson take too many hits. Give him the opportunity to make plays, but look to establish Fitzgerald Toussaint and other offensive weapons other than Denard. Also, as said before, get the backups some reps in this game when it gets out of hand.

3 Keys for MSU vs. Notre Dame

Test Golson – Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson is playing in his first true road game under the lights. I am sure he will have some nerves and there is a possibility for mistakes to happen for the Notre Dame offense. The Spartans need to pressure Golson early with different blitz packages and make him have to make quick decisions. The MSU secondary is strong enough to play 1-on-1 coverage in this game, so don’t give Golson time to look for openings. If he is rushed into throwing, it should lead to turnovers.

Win The Battle Up Front – This is talking about the offensive line. So far, MSU has been able to run the ball well, but the Spartans aren’t exactly gashing defenses either. Bell has been steady, but is picking up yards in small chunks. The Notre Dame defense has been very strong thus far, but is untested. MSU will need to be able to establish Bell in this game in order to control the tempo and keep Andrew Maxwell from being under fire all contest. The Irish had four sacks last week against Purdue and forced the Boilermakers into just 19 of 37 passing. If the Spartans have to rely on Maxwell to win, he may not be up to the task.

Special Teams Need To Be Special – I expect points to be at a premium in this game, so every yard will count. Field position will play a big role, as will field goals. The Irish have yet to hit a field goal past 40 yards this season, but their coverage units have been strong. Dan Conroy has a 50-yard field goal this season for MSU, but he is 0-2 from 30-49 yards. Conroy will need to be on his game. Return man Nick Hill could also be a big asset for the Spartans. He is averaging over 15 yards per punt return, and a big return could mean the difference between a win and a loss on Saturday.

What Notre Dame/UMass media is saying about Saturday

We are just a few days away from the third games of the season for MSU and Michigan. Here is a look at what the Notre Dame and UMass media is saying about Saturday’s action.

MSU vs. Notre Dame

Most of the talk in Irish country is about Notre Dame’s new affiliation to the ACC, and what it means for football scheduling going forward. Certainly that could impact Michigan and Michigan State in the future.

For now, the talk at Notre Dame is centered on the quarterback position, as Tommy Rees had to fill in last week for an injured Everett Golson. The Chicago Tribune has a story on Rees and his role with the Irish.

Golson injured his thumb against Purdue last week and Rees filled in, leading Notre Dame on its final drive to a 27-yard field goal, which won the game, 20-17.

Despite Rees’ play, Kelly is sticking with Golson as his quarterback against Michigan State. It seems to be the logical choice.

No matter which quarterback Kelly has on the field, they will be facing the toughest defense they have met all season. With Golson under center, you have to expect some mistakes as he heads into his first true road game of his college football career.

Michigan vs. UMass

UMass hasn’t had much to be excited about in its first season as a FBS program.

The Minutemen have lost to both Connecticut and Indiana by a combined score of 82-6 this season, all while averaging just 161.5 yards of offense per game.

Ron Chimelis, of The Republican, writes about UMass’ struggles in becoming a FBS program.

Chimelis says that now that UMass is a FBS program, it has actually become more of an underdog than when it was a FCS school. The Minutemen actually gave Michigan a scare in 2010, losing 42-37. But, that team seems to be nowhere in sight.

Chimelis paints a grim picture of the current state of UMass football and it appears Michigan should have a walk in the park on Saturday.

Hoke/Dantonio Quotes from Tuesday's Teleconference

Here are some quotes from Brady Hoke and Mark Dantonio from Tuesday's Big Ten Coaches Teleconference.

Brady Hoke

Opening Thoughts

We are looking forward to go out again and play at home. Our students were great and they showed a lot of support for our team. We are happy to win the game against Air Force, against a good football team, but we have a long way to go as a football team with our improvement each week that we need to have to be playing Michigan football.

On if he’s more concerned or more encouraged after these first two games

Probably a little bit of both, to be honest with you. There is some concern there, that we need to play better on both sides of the ball up front. We need to block better. We need to be a little more physical at the point of attack. From a defensive prospective, when you give up the rushing yards that we have so far, (we want to see) our defensive front playing and getting off blocks and being disruptive.

How he would like to see Devin Gardner apply his QB past and put it into being a WR

We obviously would like to see that. That helps him a little bit, knowing what Denard is seeing and what he is looking for. I think he is just scratching the surface of being the kind of receiver we need him to be.

Is it difficult to keep your team focused this week given the struggles of UMass?

No, I don’t think so. I think you see some good things they do from an offensive and defensive perspective. I know Charley (Molnar), he is going through growing pains, like we all do, and growing a program. We’ve got to get so much better as a program and our improvement has to be something that can be measured from week to week to week. We have a lot of respect (for UMass) and from all phases of the game, we need to get better.

On what he would like to see improve on the defense this week:

First and foremost, our run defense. (We want to see us) doing a much better job at the point of attack and a much better job of getting off blocks. That’s one of the things that has been discouraging. We have done a decent job of taking on blocks and pad level, but getting off blocks, I don’t think we’ve done a good job with that at all.

Did he expect these defensive issues coming into the season?

I think we all knew that we were going to be different up front defensively with three guys graduating that started and played a lot of football and were good football players. We are kind of a work in progress with some guys that haven’t played much football getting opportunities and with some guys that played some, but haven’t been full-time starters.

Do you have to be patient with so many young guys playing?

I don’t think you are any more patient. They are playing Division 1 football and recruited to play Division 1 football. There are expectations that every coach has for how they want to play the game, so when you look at it that way, we have to just keep improving. We have to keep teach fundamentals and technique…the little details of what you want to do on both sides of the ball. That is probably the biggest thing, when you’ve got young players, is them understanding how you prepare and the things you need to do to play your best.

On the “slow start” of the Big Ten this year

I don’t know about that. I think “slow start” or however you want to say it…you can spin it however you want to but we’ve got a great conference and we’ve got great student-athletes who are working hard and preparing. I’m not speaking for everybody, but our conference, at the end of the day, will hold up to anybody.

Mark Dantonio

Le’Veon Bell’s development as a runner and Brad Salem’s (RB Coach) impact

Le’Veon has always had great vision, great cutting ability and the ability to get positive yards after contact. That is one of the things he’s done since he’s come here. I think the more experience the guy gets, the more confidence a guy gets, the more instinctive he becomes. Coach Salem does a tremendous job in terms of articulating the finer points of a running back’s play or the exact….where to press or what hole to press or what gap to press in certain runs. The pass protection, the techniques and all the different things, the nuisances really of playing the game. But, inevitably it comes down to the player being able to execute and Le’Veon is able to do that at a very, very high level.

On the Big Ten’s relationship with the MAC

I think that we have had a great relationship with the Mid-American Conference. Most Big Ten schools do. I think for the most part, the in-state schools in the Big Ten actively try to play the in-state schools in their respective states. I think you look around the conference and that is pretty much the norm. (The MAC) is outstanding football. Great coaching. A lot of players you already know about, although they maybe didn’t have the opportunity to come to a Big Ten school, they were highly recruited guys and they settled at their respective schools. I think (the relationship) is a positive. It’s challenging, just like playing anybody, it’s challenging. There are some very, very good players in that conference.

Going back to the Notre Dame game 2 years ago, and the “Little Giants” call. Had he ever done it before in a game situation like that?

On the last play in the game? In overtime? No. I have never done that. Not many have, probably. As I have said before, it was about the timing of the play. We had worked on it. We had gotten sacked. We were just outside what I thought was a for-sure makeable field goal. We were just over 50 percent, I thought, if we executed the fake. I really felt like we had a cool customer. We had a guy under center, in Aaron Bates, who we had used on a lot of fakes in the previous four years. At least four or five. I felt like he was a guy who wouldn’t panic. If things broke down, he wouldn’t panic, and that’s exactly what happened. Things broke down a little bit and he had to move right or left. He moved right, stay composed and delivered.

Is there a way to prepare to make that call or is it just about feel?

I don’t know if there is any time to prepare for it. The decision had to be made very quickly. As I remember the clock went all the way down to almost zero, but we got it off. We just felt like it wasn’t a done deal. It was a 48 or 49-yard kick. Dan Conroy was a redshirt sophomore. It was his first big, big game. It was his first kick with the game on the line. I just felt like the pressure had to come to me and not to him, and that’s what we did. It’s just a game, just a game.

On the talk that MSU is carrying the banner for the Big Ten right now

I think that we have played two games. It is very, very early in the season. Last year, as I remember, we didn’t play well at Notre Dame and people sort of wrote us off. We ended up No. 9, or something like that, in the nation. People will respond. That is the nature of football, the competitive nature of it. People are going to respond and reset things and reset their compass and move forward. I think it is still very competitive in the country right now in terms of winning and losing football games. It is extremely competitive and there are so many different teams, that if their matchups go one way, the game goes the other way.

How much clearer is the receiving depth chart now compared to training camp?

When we came into camp we had quite a few players that we were looking at and saying ‘where is he at in the scheme of things’. I think now it is a little cleaner. We have designated eight guys that will travel and all eight of those guys may play. That is the reality of it. Because we are young at that position, those players need game experience to show where they are at. They can do things in practice, but they need game experience to sort of bring things along, in terms of providing that. The practice time is obviously very important as well. You have to evaluate the practice time, but all those guys will have an opportunity to be involved and play. Certainly we have three or four guys that are ahead of that group, but the other guys will play as well.

Week 2 Recap & Week 3 Odds

This past weekend saw a pair of wins in state and we were able to get a better idea of what Michigan and Michigan State are going to be this season. Here are a few final thoughts from the weekend, and if you didn't read my column on MSU from the CMU game, you can read it here.

Michigan defense continues to struggles

Michigan fans have to be a little nervous about the Michigan defense allowing 417 yards at home to Air Force. Perhaps it was the triple option that caused the problems, but certainly you have to expect better from this unit based on last season. Right now they are giving up 424 total yards and 261 rushing yards per game.

Denard is still Denard

Robinson was able to get back to his old self on Saturday, throwing for over 200 yards while rushing for 218 and two touchdowns. This is the Robinson we have grown accustomed to and the one that should be around most of the season. Not many teams have the defensive skill that Alabama does. The Tide was able to contain Robinson’s speed and force him to just be a passer. When he can be the running threat he was against Air Force, it allows him to be more successful as a passer. This week against UMass should see Robinson put up big numbers again.

MSU Defense still strong

The Spartans did not allow a touchdown on defense on Saturday against Central Michigan. That is two games without a TD from the opposing offense. The Spartans are also allowing just 225 total yards per game, which ranks eighth in the country. Of teams that have played two games, they are sixth in the nation in fewest yards allowed. The Spartans are going to rely on the defense this season and hope for continued progress from Andrew Maxwell and the offense.

We have a Big Ten favorite

Five Big Ten teams are 2-0 and it would be hard to say any of them are playing better than Michigan State. Ohio State has looked impressive, but the Buckeyes didn’t slow down an offense like Boise State. Wisconsin has looked like a shell of its old self, which is really surprising. Nebraska was unable to make the plays it needed to against UCLA and continues to struggle away from Lincoln. There is still plenty of football to be played, but MSU looks to be threatening to contend for the Big Ten once again.

Week 3 Odds

Here is a listing of the odds for this week’s games.

Michigan -45.5 vs. UMass

Michigan State -3.5 vs. Notre Dame

UMass has lost both games by a combined score of 83-6 to the likes of Connecticut and Indiana. This should be a game for Michigan to gel on offense and defense and build some confidence heading into the trip to South Bend.

Michigan State faces an offense with some speed that could pose problems. The Irish have allowed just 27 points over two games, so this could be a defensive showcase.

Michigan State season breakdown & predictions

A week from now, the Michigan State Spartans officially begin their 2012 college football campaign.

This will be a very telling season for where the MSU program is heading.

Here is a look at the schedule and my prediction for each game.

Before I begin, keep in mind my expectations are for the Spartan defense to be very strong and for Andrew Maxwell to be an average to slightly above average quarterback. Also, I can’t plan for any injuries that could dramatically impact the season.

But, enough excuses.

2012 MSU Schedule & Predictions

Aug. 31 vs. Boise State: The Spartans have the edge here, being at home and with fewer new pieces to mix in than the Broncos. (W, 1-0)

Sept. 8 at Central Michigan: I expect a tough start for the Spartans before their defense takes over and allows them to win somewhat comfortably. (W, 2-0)

Sept. 15 vs. Notre Dame: The Spartans have payback on their mind for Brian Kelly. With the Irish using a redshirt freshmen at QB, I see MSU forcing a lot of turnovers and staying unbeaten. (W, 3-0)

Sept. 22 vs. Eastern Michigan: Ron English has slowly built the Eagles into a rising program in the MAC, but their smash-mouth style will play right into the hands of the Spartan linebackers. (W, 4-0)

Sept. 29 vs. Ohio State: I expect the Buckeyes to be a lot better at the end of the year than at the beginning. I think MSU’s defense will stymie Braxton Miller and allow Maxwell the ability to make a few plays and win the game. (W, 5-0)

Oct. 6 at Indiana: Sorry Hoosiers, you don’t have much to offer against anyone, let alone Michigan State. (W, 6-0)

Oct. 13 vs. Iowa: Iowa has always been a tough out for the Spartans. Also consider that MSU could be looking ahead to Michigan the next week. I expect this to go right down to the finish, but I will give the nod to MSU since it has the home-field edge. (W, 7-0)

Oct. 20 at Michigan: I see the four-game winning streak ending this year. Michigan should have its best team in recent memory and the Big House in its favor. The Spartans will put up a fight, but I think it’s Michigan’s turn to get back the Paul Bunyan Trophy. (L, 7-1)

Oct. 27 at Wisconsin: What a tough two-game stretch for MSU. Wisconsin has become somewhat of a rival over the last few years. The Badgers would like to put the Spartans out of the Big Ten race in this game as opposed to possibly having to beat them in Indy once again. Mark Danotnio has always played Wisconsin tough, but I see the Badgers winning at home. (L, 7-2)

Nov. 3 vs. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers are not nearly the team they are at home when on the road. Don’t look for anything like what happened in Lincoln in 2011. I see MSU taking out two weeks of frustrations out on Bo Pelini and Taylor Martinez. (W, 8-2)

Nov. 17 vs. Northwestern: The Wildcats are another team that likes to make things difficult, but this is a game that the Spartan offense could actually put up big numbers. I don’t see MSU losing at home in this one. (W, 9-2)

Nov. 24 at Minnesota: MSU has lost four of its last five at Minnesota, but this isn’t the same Spartan team. The Gophers were a mess last year, but still gave MSU a scare. I don’t think State will take them lightly on the road to end the season. (W, 10-2)

I don’t see MSU in the Big Ten Championship Game, but a 10-2 regular season is still a very good year for a team with a first-year starting quarterback. It would put the Spartans in the BCS bowl hunt and surely get them a high-profile postseason game regardless. More importantly, it keeps MSU as one of the top teams in the Big Ten for a third year in a row.