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FOOTBALL Jack Velling and Charles Brantley are in win-now mode.

All signs point towards this year being a rebuilding one for MSU, but don't tell Velling or Brantley that. They think they have a team that can win some ball games now.

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FOOTBALL Ohio State and Oregon Thoughts

Since the game was overly competitive last night, my mind wondered a bit to think about the entire Big Ten race. I also enjoyed a nice, strong pumpkin beer in the first half (Pumpking from Southern Tier) and then an Old Fashioned in the second half. That made things better.

I was pretty surprised by some of the contrasting things that I saw in Michigan State's game against Ohio State and last night's game against the Ducks. I am curious if @glassman12 might be able to provide some insight.

The score at halftime was similar in the two games, but the way MSU got there could not have been more different. I thought MSU outplayed OSU in the first half but got destroyed by Oregon. The second half was more competitive in Eugene, but it was sort of a different flavor of garbage time, so I am not sure that it matters.

In the first half against Ohio State, MSU moved the ball really well. MSU even ran the ball pretty well on the designed run plays. That was surprising. But the combination of turnovers, ball calls, ball luck, and circus catches by the clowns from Columbus made the score very lopsided.

But against Oregon, the complete and total lack of a run game was a stark contrast. With MSU one-dimensional, Chiles was a sitting duck (ha!) back there. He had no chance. MSU got dominated in the trenches in a way that was nothing like what happened against OSU. That was interesting. Now, was that schematic? Was it execution? Was the team just worn out or jetlagged? That is what I hope Chase can help answer. Whatever the cause, Oregon's defense TKO'ed MSU offense after the first drive (which was really just two good pass plays). That was essentially the ball game.

On offense, Oregon also gashed MSU on the ground in ways that surprised me and that concern me going forward. Again, was MSU just physically beaten? Were they in the wrong place? Did Oregon just run some good offense and misdirection? Or, was MSU a step slow after playing another Top 5 team last week and flying across the country on short rest? It is probably a combination of all factors, but I am curious what others think.

I am not an expert on this, but to my eye, I thought Oregon ran some good stuff on offense and executed really well. WR blocking was really good, and that is often the difference between a good offense and a great one. They are going to be a problem for the rest of the conference.

As for MSU, the bye week comes at a good time. This team has every right to be tired. They have played three teams that were ranked at some point and flown to Maryland, Boston, and Oregon. Contrast this travel schedule to a certain other Big Ten team in the state who played five straight home games to start the season... but I digress. In the back half of the schedule, MSU only leaves the state once to travel to lovely Champaign, Illinois (my least favorite Big Ten town, FWIW). We will learn a bit more about how beatable Iowa is this afternoon, but the back end of the schedule is certainly easier than the front half.

After last night I must admit that I am really intrigued by next week's Oregon/Ohio State game. The data will shift, by my computer is projecting OSU to be about a 7-point favorite right now. After watching both teams play, I am not so sure of that. OSU might have better skill players, but Oregon looked a LOT tougher to me. Was part of that the contrast between an MSU team playing at home and a jetlagged MSU team playing 2,300 miles from home? Sure... but I don't think so. Also, Iowa is a bunch of tough SOBs. Ohio State is going to feel that some Sunday morning. And then the Buckeyes are going to have to fly across the country to face the Ducks on one extra day of rest.

Uh oh.

At this point, I think Oregon might win by double digits.
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FOOTBALL Polynesian pipeline

If you are wondering why I would like to open the poly pipeline to MSU, see Oregon as Exhibit A. More and more Polynesian people are being priced out of their homes and are relocating to the mainland. BYU has embraced the Polynesian people by investing in the cultural center on the North Shore and their missionary presence on the islands. Not everyone is up for the Mormon lifestyle. Schools like Oregon have embraced the culture as has Arizona.

MSU could do something good and embrace the culture as well and become the cold outpost for those looking for opportunities outside the west coast.

Oh, and the recruiting!

  • Poll
MLB or College Football - Whatcha got going today?

Whatcha watchin' today?

  • Tigers and MLB all the way; between portal and NIL, I'm losing interest in college football

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • Let's Go Mets!

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • Not really into baseball. Sure, I "hope" the Tigers win, but I really don't care -

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Neither. It's a beautiful day gonna head outside, rake some leaves, and spend time with family

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Taking the kids to see Joker 2 - might watch some sports later, I dunno

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Saturdays are only for college football. Nothing else.

    Votes: 3 50.0%
  • Tanfan

    Votes: 1 16.7%

Full slate of MLB playoff games and, quite frankly, some lackluster college football games. Mets are in Philly so I'll be tuning in for that game. What ya'll got planned today?

FOOTBALL Some post-game comments from Velling and Brantley and Coach Smith

MSU TE Jack Velling said, "The defense had our backs, but we just need to finish better" on offense.

Velling: "It's been a long half a season so far. I think it's a good time to correct and improve" during the upcoming bye week.

MSU CB Charles Brantley: "I believe in this team."

Velling: "I think we learned we can compete with the best" the past two weeks against No. 3 Ohio State and No. 6 Oregon. "I like us, and I think we can compete with whoever's out there on the field with us."
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FOOTBALL Game Thread: Michigan State at Oregon

Michigan State (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) hits the road for its final game before a bye week. The Spartans are taking on the undefeated Oregon Ducks (4-0, 1-0).

Tonight's game will kick off at 9 p.m. on FOX from Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Spartans Illustrated's @Kevin Knight and @luccamazzie will be in the press box tonight.

FOOTBALL Kirk Cousins UPDATE: Thursday Primetime: 42 of 58 (72.4 percent) for 509 yards and FOUR TD passes.

After getting a rep for not winning games in prime time early in his career. He is now 4-10 on Monday Night Football and 14-20 in prime time.

Sometimes its not his fault: Week 2 last season on "Thursday Night Football." The Vikings lost 34-28 despite Cousins' terrific statistical night (31 completions on 44 attempts, 364 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT).

In the second half tonight he was 13 of 16, 166 passing yards, twp TDs and a 149.5 passer rating. and took the Falcons down the field in 65-seconds to secure the victory.




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OFF TOPIC: Judge Dismisses Text Message case vs. Mel Tucker. UPDATE: Tracy files new lawsuit

Brenda Tracy's side had filed lawsuits regarding the text messages previously released that allegedly showed that Brenda Tracy had a CONSENSUAL relationship with Mel Tucker.

The text messages were from a friend of Tracy's , Ahlan Alvaradoof (via phone/computer), who died in an automobile crash, and the messages were retained from Alvaradoof's family and given to parties that sided with Tucker.

On Oct. 5, 2023, Jennifer Z. Belveal, Tucker's lawyer, sent out a letter titled "New evidence in the Mel Tucker matter."

The letter stated, "This new evidence undermines MSU’s decision to terminate Mr. Tucker, further confirms that the underlying ‘investigation’ failed to meet minimal due diligence standards -- at Mr. Tucker’s expense.”

“It also decimates Ms. Tracy’s claim that she would not consensually engage in a personal relationship with a coach,” the letter reads.

The text messages also seem to allege that Tracy shopped her story to various outlets, which counters the leak theory, and that she had another relationship with a different coach, Damon Stoudamire.

The text messages also counter that she would not accept gifts from Tucker:

*At 10:52 a.m. Nov. 9, 2021: “Michigan State might be going to the Rose Bowl or one of the other major ones. We should check this calendar and keep dates open. I know coach Tucker would give us tickets.”

*At 5:25 p.m. Nov. 26, 2021: “Tucker signed his contract. I can’t even wrap my brain around $95 million. Sheesh.”

*At 5:26 p.m. Nov. 26, 2021: “Can you imagine around $700K going into your bank account every month? Every month. Crazy.”

*At 5:27 p.m. Nov. 26, 2021: “I’m gonna ask him to finance the doc part of it. He’ll do it.”


Though it was an alleged consensual relationship, MSU saw Tracy as a 'University Vendor,' the relationship embarrassed the University, which were grounds for the firing based on a moral clause or moral turpitude.

However, one could make the case that moral turpitude is usually based on "evil intent," aka a sexual crime or assault as it pertains to this case. Tucker was estranged from his wife at the time.

FOOTBALL This week's uniforms: Stormtroopers once again

Via @msu_uniforms for Spartans Illustrated:

The Michigan State University football team heads back out on the road this week, looking to reverse course after back-to-back losses. The Spartans head west to take on one of the new Big Ten members for the first time, playing Oregon.

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NEW: Detroit to host 2028 Men's Basketball Midwest Regional, MSU to host 2026 NCAA Cross Country Regional

2026 Division I Regionals
  • Lansing, MI
  • Forest Akers
  • Hosts: Michigan State University and Lansing Sports Commission
2028 Division I Midwest Regional
  • Detroit, MI
  • Little Caesars Arena
  • Hosts: University of Detroit Mercy, Oakland University and Detroit Sports Commission
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FOOTBALL Spartans Illustrated Staff Picks: Michigan State vs. Oregon

Can the Spartans pull off an upset in Eugene? Let us know your thoughts and check out our picks for the game!

FOOTBALL Q&A with Duck Sports Authority: What is MSU's path to victory vs. Oregon?

On a short week, Michigan State (3-2) travels to Eugene for a Friday night matchup with No. 6 Oregon (4-0). The game is scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will broadcast on FOX.

To learn more about the Ducks, we spoke with Scott Reed, publisher of Duck Sports Authority — the website for all things Oregon on the Rivals network.

What are Oregon's strengths and weaknesses? What does quarterback Dillon Gabriel bring to the table? What are realistic expectations for the Ducks in 2024? Oh, and how is former MSU defensive lineman Derrick Harmon doing in Eugene? Scott answers these questions and more.

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