MSU looking stout

[hawkfarmer]

When people were predicting the record for the season, I think most overlooked MSU as a threat. If we recall they beat us 2 years ago, and could (should?) have beat us last year. With Iowa's schedule including Michigan, Wisky, and MSU over the next 3 weeks, even if they get the next 2 which will be really tough, they could be pretty battered and worn out going into the game against the Spartans. The Spartans have Illinois and NW (who lost to depleted Purdue at home). They should be 8-0 when they roll into Iowa City. This part of the schedule and actually the rest is pretty intimidating honestly and the Hawks are going to have to play great all three of these games.

 

[tm3308]

I've been on record as saying that MSU was the game that worried me the most, simply because they can match our physicality punch for punch, and OSU is probably the only other team that can do that. Though admitedly, I didn't see them as a conference title contender. I just saw them as the biggest threat to beat us (outside of OSU).

 

[hawkfarmer]

I've been on record as saying that MSU was the game that worried me the most, simply because they can match our physicality punch for punch, and OSU is probably the only other team that can do that. Though admitedly, I didn't see them as a conference title contender. I just saw them as the biggest threat to beat us (outside of OSU).

Agree with you 100%, but they've put their stamp on contender, though I think that Baker saying "We're going to win the Big Ten" is probably not what Dantonio would like him to say, and hopefully the Hawks can prove them wrong.

 

[hawkfarmer]

v. Illinois
@ Northwestern
@ Iowa
v. Minny
v. Purdue
@ Penn State

Other than maybe Iowa, who is going to beat MSU?

 

[JLoss]

MSU beat an over hyped Michigan team. They are good but I look forward to them squaring off aqainst our well tuned D.

 

[hawkfarmer]

MSU beat an over hyped Michigan team. They are good but I look forward to them squaring off aqainst our well tuned D.

Agree, but they also beat a solid Wisconsin team (though that could be argued as well). Iowa has a tough schedule heading into the MSU game, so that could be a factor as well. It'll be a good game, and I hope that Iowa wins, but I think it is going to be a tougher game than most thought orginially.

 

[whammer33024]

look at our schedule last year, would you have guessed NW would have beaten us? nope, but look what happened.

moral of the story is, anyone in the big 10 can beat anyone in the big 10 any given saturday. that's why they play the game. i agree that michigan state is a game that should be a hard fought slobber-knocker(yeah i said slobber-knocker) like it was last year. i just don't see us losing to them

 

[hawkfarmer]

look at our schedule last year, would you have guessed NW would have beaten us? nope, but look what happened.

moral of the story is, anyone in the big 10 can beat anyone in the big 10 any given saturday. that's why they play the game. i agree that michigan state is a game that should be a hard fought slobber-knocker(yeah i said slobber-knocker) like it was last year. i just don't see us losing to them

Nobody thought we would lose Stanzi either. I agree you have to play every game. I'm just saying don't think everyone thought MSU was as good as they are (or their record will say they are at the end of the season)

 

[Hawk4Life25]

Best case scenario is they overlook a BigTen opponent.

Look at NW losing to a depleted Purdue team at home.

 

[highonhawks]

If both teams are undefeated in the Big 10 when we meet,then it will be just like last year.Whoever was to win that game last year was in the drivers seat because OSU had already lost to Purdue.So this game will be nothing less than a knock down drag out just like last year only this time we are at Kinnick.MSU dosen't have to play OSU so we are their last big threat to taking the conference,that is if we are both still undefeated at that time in the conference.

 

[imported_ankle23]

v. Illinois
@ Northwestern
@ Iowa
v. Minny
v. Purdue
@ Penn State

Other than maybe Iowa, who is going to beat MSU?

I wouldn't overlook Illinois.

 

[edr247]

When people were predicting the record for the season, I think most overlooked MSU as a threat. If we recall they beat us 2 years ago, and could (should?) have beat us last year. With Iowa's schedule including Michigan, Wisky, and MSU over the next 3 weeks, even if they get the next 2 which will be really tough, they could be pretty battered and worn out going into the game against the Spartans. The Spartans have Illinois and NW (who lost to depleted Purdue at home). They should be 8-0 when they roll into Iowa City. This part of the schedule and actually the rest is pretty intimidating honestly and the Hawks are going to have to play great all three of these games.

I've considered MSU one of our toughest games from before the season began. Why? Because they and Wisconsin are just like us, with similar styles of play, and arguably a talent level that, on average, evens out among the three. Hell, our last three games against MSU have been close games (going into OT or 2OT, getting stuffed on 4th down in field goal range and down by three, or winning on the last play of the game.)

Since the beginning of the season, it has become apparent that they've developed an excellent run game, and that in turn has opened up the play-action pass. Their weakness on defense was their secondary, and it has appeared to improve, while our weakness in the run game has undoubtedly gotten worse. They also have a better special teams squad than we do, so there's that...

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

I was warning Hawk fans about MSU before the season too. Many folks weren't taking into account all the adversity that was distracting the team last year. Furthermore, they had to break in a new QB too ... and that's in addition to finding new RBs too.

I don't like Dantonio because of how he's handled criminal behavior by his players ... however, there's no doubt that he's a fine coach.

The bottom line with MSU is that the team is loaded with talent AND they play with a great level of toughness. That is at the heart of what makes them so good. Not surprisingly, that is a big part of what makes Iowa so good too.

 

[tm3308]

I've considered MSU one of our toughest games from before the season began. Why? Because they and Wisconsin are just like us, with similar styles of play, and arguably a talent level that, on average, evens out among the three. Hell, our last three games against MSU have been close games (going into OT or 2OT, getting stuffed on 4th down in field goal range and down by three, or winning on the last play of the game.)

Since the beginning of the season, it has become apparent that they've developed an excellent run game, and that in turn has opened up the play-action pass. Their weakness on defense was their secondary, and it has appeared to improve, while our weakness in the run game has undoubtedly gotten worse. They also have a better special teams squad than we do, so there's that...

The only difference between Wisconsin and MSU seems to be that Wisconsin folds against us. I don't know why, they just seem to flop when they play us, and not really fight back. MSU typically flops over the course of the season, but they always seem to bring their A-game against us, and really pop us in the mouth at a clip equal to us poppig them in the mouth. It's quickly become arguably my favorite conference matchup to watch, just because of how physical both teams are.

 

[JHHawk]

I think most fans looked at Wisconsin and OSU a cut above the rest,but MSU right in that next tier. No one really looked closely at their very favorable schedule without OSU on it. As it turns out, they have a great schedule to run the table in the league,if they can beat Iowa. Only real tough road game is Iowa. They do not leave the state of Michigan for a game until 10/23 to NW. Then to Iowa.
Buckle up,Hawk fans...no easy games the rest of the way.
But, if it plays out like we hope, and undefeated MSU could be top 6 when they come to Iowa on 10/30, then a #1 OSU comes three weeks later...could be an epic,memorable season with great home game upset possibilities....remember fans...enjoy the journey!!