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I’ve mentally prepared myself for Tayven for the next two games from everything I’ve heard…coming back from a surgically repaired thumb in less than 2 weeks is pretty much unheard of. Need the same game plan/mindset going into MSU as Washington; win the turnover/field position battle and pound the rock. In survival mode until Rourke is cleared.
 
Their hangover from the tough loss to UM will be real. If we start fast, like we have all year, I just don't see them being able to keep up. I also don't think they will have a rowdy crowd, and I think a strong IU contingent will make the trip, which will also help.
Why won’t they have a rowdy crowd? I’d assume they will. But hope we will have a decent sized one also.
 
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All I know about M$U is that they lit up Iowa's D for 40 points and they just ran inside successfully against MI who's supposed to have one of the top D lines in college football...

If you add an inside running game with a QB (Chiles) that can run and throw (which they have) then you have your hands full when it comes to defending their Offense.. They have a solid RB (Carter), a decent TE (Velling) and a dangerous freshman WR (Marsh)... Throw in an Offensive Line that can clearly run block and we've got problems...

Fortunately the M$U Defense doesn't look as formidable as their Offense... They don't swarm the ball and they'll be missing their starting ILB for the first Half... The backup (ILB) is from Old Dominion so at least one of our players and several of our coaches are familiar with his tendencies...

Their starting Long Snapper (who appeared to have had either a knee or ankle injury versus MI) played for James Madison last season (boy did he chose poorly)... If he plays against us his injury might give us some enhanced return possibilities on punts... If the starter doesn't play his backup might provide some kick block possiblities...

Historically, the Spartans have at least one, or sometimes even two, prepaid Big Ten Ref(s) leaning their way when we play them, so watch for the no calls when it comes to their OL Holding and their DB's committing Pass Interference..., while the same type of calls Are made against us...

I expect our toughest game of the year up there. Let's hope we can keep our Win streak going...
Do you think this game is tougher than Michigan game? If so due to matchups and/or because it’s on the road?
 
Do you think this game is tougher than Michigan game? If so due to matchups and/or because it’s on the road?

I think each game we've played since Maryland has been incrementally tougher than the last... and that's pretty much how I see these next 4 (and yeah..., I even expect p u to play their only complete game of the year against us [we'll be their Super Bowl, the kind of W crap teams dream of]...

I think M$U will be tough because they know they should have beaten Michigan and they're ticked, plus they're talented, plus well coached, and they'll probably have bought themselves at least one Ref (historically that's what they do)... We can still beat them in spite of all that but I don't expect it to be any walkover...

*(changed my mind, I think we're going to kick their ass up there)*
 
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Why won’t they have a rowdy crowd? I’d assume they will. But hope we will have a decent sized one also.
My hypothesis is based purely on looking at tickets for the last few weeks. :cool: I would've gone if it was a noon kickoff, so I was monitoring the ticket sites. There were tons available and they were cheap all season. Most of those tickets have been bought, and it's not Sparty fans that have been doing it. It might be a sellout, but there will be empty seats and there will be a strong contingent of IU fans. It will not be close to the atmosphere we've had in MS the last 2 games. Our crowds were rowdy! Best crowds I've ever been a part of at MS.
 
I think each game we've played since Maryland has been incrementally tougher than the last... and that's pretty much how I see these next 4 (and yeah..., I even expect p u to play their only complete game of the year against us [we'll be their Super Bowl, the kind of W crap teams dream of]...

I think M$U will be tough because they know they should have beaten Michigan and they're ticked, plus they're talented, plus well coached, and they'll probably have bought themselves at least one Ref (historically that's what they do)... We can still beat them in spite of all that but I don't expect it to be any walkover...


Looking at the last 4 games, involving OSU, Oregon, Iowa & MIchigan--

--That's a tough schedule. Hopefully they're a little beaten up.

--They didn't fare well v. OSU & Oregon, but weren't blown out. OSU--L 30-7; 483 TO to 270; OSU--L31-10; 475 TO to 246.

--They fared much better v. Iowa & UM. Iowa--W 31-20; 468 TO MSU to 283 Iowa. Their best game probably. UM--L 17-24; 352 TO MSU, 265 Michigan.

--Scariest thing is that their QB is getting better. 6 ints in first 4 games; 2 in last 4 v. better teams. Still, his avg production for the last 4 games is: 15.5/22.3 (.697) for 191.5 yds, .75 TD, .50 int. Also 9.25 runs for 19 yds.

--On the ground over last 4 they've avg. 120 yds with 3.5/carry while giving up 162 yds with 5.1 ypc.. TO avg in the 4 games--329 for, 377 against.
 
I’ve mentally prepared myself for Tayven for the next two games from everything I’ve heard…coming back from a surgically repaired thumb in less than 2 weeks is pretty much unheard of. Need the same game plan/mindset going into MSU as Washington; win the turnover/field position battle and pound the rock. In survival mode until Rourke is cleared.
Rourke has been throwing the last several days and the team is optimistic he can return. Clearly he has healed nicely.
 
1. MSU has a highly regarded coach in his first year who is perhaps exceeding expectations … MSU was the first team to make (September) Maryland look bad. They can beat IU, if IU plays poorly (which IU hasn’t done all year). IU needs to start the game focused.

QB Chiles throws a pick or two … we’ll need to jump on those opportunities. He will make the D look bad with a spectacular athletic play or three. I expect Bryant to out think a young QB and limit MSU to 3 scores.

The most important lesson from MSU’s Iowa win is that MSU can stop the run … But Iowa struggles to pass most games, and I don’t think MSU can afford to go one-on-one with Sarret, Cooper, and Price (Michigan out schemed MSU to win in Ann Arbor). I expect Horton’s wham blocks to be effective when the numbers in the box favor running.

2. I expect Rourke to start … and TJ to finish … I hadn’t seen any stories confirming any screws … if any, they won’t come out until after the season.
My worry is IF Rourke can't play, then we will not see the timing routes that KR has developed with Sarratt, as well as damn near replicating the same timing to the opposite side of the field on the next play/or same drive. Perfect location on the outside shoulder towards the sideline. We've seen it multiple times per game, all year. TJ had that great pass against Nebraska for a Sarratt TD, he put the ball right where it was suppose to be, and we've talked about it a ton on here. But that is not the same as what KR has been doing with these receivers. He missed on many of the timing routes or didn't even attempt to throw those routes against Washington, and checked down. I think something like Sarratt, Price, and Cooper combined for 4 receptions or something like that against Washington. Some of that can be contributed to Washington's fast defense...This is not a knock on TJ, he can find a way to win with his style of play. And the coaches will tailor a gameplan to his strengths. KR just makes it look easy.
 
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I think each game we've played since Maryland has been incrementally tougher than the last... and that's pretty much how I see these next 4 (and yeah..., I even expect p u to play their only complete game of the year against us [we'll be their Super Bowl, the kind of W crap teams dream of]...

I think M$U will be tough because they know they should have beaten Michigan and they're ticked, plus they're talented, plus well coached, and they'll probably have bought themselves at least one Ref (historically that's what they do)... We can still beat them in spite of all that but I don't expect it to be any walkover...

*(changed my mind, I think we're going to kick their ass up there)*
Thank you for the response. I was worried as well.

Then we got down 10-0. I was like oh no.

But damn, what a nice game!

I’m excepting a tougher one with Michigan, even at home. But how sweet it will be if we can get em
 
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What a great game!! Was an absolute wonderful experience being there. IU fans really took over the place in the 4th quarter. Hope you guys watching could hear it loud and clear on tv.
 
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