2006 Michigan State Spartans Game Preview

 2006 Michigan State Spartans Game Preview

The Buckeyes will make another road trip this week as they travel up to East Lansing, Michigan to face the Spartans. Michigan State currently has a 3 game losing streak. This began with their well-publicized meltdown versus Notre Dame. The Buckeyes managed to blow a 16 points fourth quarter lead and revive Brady Quinn's Heisman campaign.

After falling to Illinois with a last-minute field goal, they lost a game at Ann Arbor that they never had the chance to win. John L. Smith has a graduate assistant putting together movie clips from the 1974, 1998 MSU-tOSU game trailers.

It's quite interesting to note that Michigan State was voted #1 in the weekly AP Football poll an incredible 29 times. This is a number very close to the total 34 times for TSUN. (By comparison, tOSU has 80 and counting). But the Spartans have only had two 10-win seasons in their entire history (1965, 1999), and the Wolverines have won double-digits 24 times. Why is there such a discrepancy in these numbers? It has to do with timing. While most teams played an 11-game regular season starting in the early 1970s it took 10 wins to achieve that level of success before they started.

From the 1950s until 1966, the Spartans were a strong team. They won two major poll National Championships as well as a piece of one in the 1966 year that saw them tie Notre Dame at 10-10 in one of the Games of the Century. Since then, they have been within 1 game to being a.500 overall team. They only finished in the top 10 twice: the 8th-ranked 9-2-1 squad of 1987 and the 7th-ranked 10-2-2 team of 1999. These are also the only two seasons since 1966 when they had less that 3 losses. Their in-state neighbor has been appearing in bowls regularly since the Big Ten allowed teams access to other venues than the Rose Bowl in late 1970s.

There are many interesting historical facts about the Spartans. Due to World War II, there was no Spartan football team in 1943. That's the only Big Ten season that wasn't football-related since 1907. MSU was last to have a perfect season in 1952, the same year that they joined Big-10 Conference.

tOSU was ranked #1 by the AP poll and has a record of 57-8-1. Note: This doesn't include the first two games in 1943, when tOSU was ranked #1 in the AP poll. However, 1943 was a difficult season for tOSU as the 1943 team was affected due to military enrollment. In 1943, 2 games were played, one against Iowa Pre-Flight and one against Missouri. Only UCLA (in L.A. 1962 and 1976 Rose Bowl) or Michigan State are among the eight that have suffered losses. Other losses include: Wisconsin in 1942, Illinois in 1950 and TSUN in 1969. USC was in the 1980 Rose Bowl.

Perhaps we will all forget what happened to the #1 Buckeyes in November 1998. This game is reason enough to make the Buckeyes drill the Spartans each time the teams meet for the next few decades. Plaxico Buress and Julian Peterson may still haunt some fans. It's interesting to note that 1998 was the only MSU team from Nick Saban's five teams that didn’t make it to a bowl.

There's another game, 1974, that is similar for long-term fans. Woody brought the boys up to East Lansing to be a clear #1 in polls. They lost 16-13 after Woody ended up in the end zone on last play of day (and the play before according to Buckeye fans and The Lantern pictures that Monday). Wayne Duke, Big-10 commissioner and referees took more than 30 minutes to declare MSU winner.

History has shown that tOSU performed well against the Spartans following that 1974 match. Eight wins in a row, 13 out of 15, up to the game 8 years ago, which also took us off the #1 spot. Let's all hope that the team continues to respond to 1998.

The year 1974 and 1998. There are two reasons you should be wary about the Spartans if tOSU has a #1 ranking in the game.

Date and time

Date: Saturday, October 14, 2006

Time: 3:30 EDT Kick off

Location: Spartan Stadium (East Lansing, MI)

Constructed: 1923 (Renovated 2005)

Seating Capacity 75,025 (Originally 14,000).

Turfgrass as a Playing Surface

Honorary Captain

Broadcast Information

TV Broacast - ABC (Play by Play), Bob Griese, Paul Maguire and Bonnie Bernstein (Sideline).

Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (1460TheFan Columbus), Paul Keels (Play by play), Jim Lachey(Analysis), Marty Bannister (“Sideline”)

2006 Michigan State Spartans Offensive Preview

Returning starters: 6

The Buckeyes have returned to Big 10 play after a brief absence from conference play. They will be visiting Michigan State, which is dangerous. The Spartans' reputation for their extravagant offensive numbers, streaky play, fragile psyche and gaudy play is evident in last season's numbers. They were fifth in the nation for total offense last year, with an astonishing 497.3 yards per contest. The Spartans were also 20th in total offense, with 201.8 yards per game, and 11th in passing the ball (295.5 YPG). They were also among the top 20 scoring teams, scoring an average of 34 points per game. The team, which looked unstoppable for the first month (which included a win over Notre Dame and a 61-14 attack of Illinois), and 4 wins with 40+ point totals, fell to a tailspin once they got to the more important conference teams. They dropped 6 of their 7 last games and scored just 30 points twice. Their turnover margin was 65th nationwide, and they allowed 12 Buckeye records in Columbus last year. Stanton missed a bowl his second year as a starter. This led some to wonder if coach John L. Smith was the right man for this job.

The Spartans have put up some solid numbers, but could be facing another tailspin. The Spartans have averaging 425 yards per game, ranking 21st in the nation. They rank among the top 20 in rush (194.0 ypg), while still posting respectable passing numbers (219 ypg), 44th nationally. They also score 31.2 points per match, ranking 27th nationally. The Spartan offense has once again put the numbers in the record books. After another quick start, a win against Pittsburgh, and a strong half against Notre Dame, however, the Spartans have collapsed. The Spartans gave up the lead against Ireland, lost again at home to Illinois, and then looked defeated against the Wolverines. With many people predicting that the season was over, the team is now hurt, battered, and trapped. They have one last chance to face the home crowd in a marquis matchup. Which team will they choose?

Quarterbacks

Drew Stanton (5-3, 230) SR, Harrison HS Farmington Hills (MI)

Stanton has been at Michigan State for more than 2 1/2 years. He has put up impressive numbers. He completed more than 60% of his passes over the three seasons (including this year) and threw 22 touchdowns and 3077 yards last year. Although he's still completing 62% of his passes this season, his TD/INT ratio of 8-6 is very low. This, combined with his rating, of 131 makes these numbers look more like 2005. There are still some games that he can score big numbers in, and there will be more. His versatility is one his greatest strengths. This year, he ranks 2nd on team in rushing with 302 yard and has also scored 4 rushing scores to go along with 8 passing touchdowns. He will be difficult to defend this season due to his dual threat abilities. He was able to throw for 340 yards against Buckeyes last year, but they were still able to pound him throughout the game, holding him to just 4 yards netrushing and 12 sacks on their way to victory.

Stanton had a strong start to the season, playing well against weaker opponents. After a win at Pittsburgh (including passing for 198 and 2 scores and rushing 105 yards), Stanton played a great half against Notre Dame to give the Spartans a huge lead. In that game, he only passed for 115 yards and his second half turnovers were key to the Irish victory. Since then, he has been extremely cold. He has thrown for only 396 total yards and rushed for only 56. In 2 conference losses to Illinois (Illinois) and Michigan (2 INTs), Stanton has not been the same. Stanton is very streaky and will need to play better this weekend for the Spartans to have any chance. It is also important to note that Stanton has already been sacked eleven times this season...the Buckeyes sacked his unbelievable school record of 12 times in Columbus last season.

Brian Hoyer, a sophomore and a large kid who has potential but has not yet played much, is his backup. He was called to mop up duty against Eastern Michigan. He completed all four passes for 33 yards and a TD. Although he was in a difficult position, he managed to complete 2 of the 3 passes for 20 more yards. He seems to have some promise, although it is hard to predict how his performance would be if he was forced into action Saturday.

QB Ratings B+

Head-to–Head: Ohio State QBs against Michigan State

Stanton (P/R): 101/163 (62.0%), 1187 yards, 8 TDs, 6 INTs, 132.0 rating; 69/302, 4 TDs.

Smith (P/R), 101/148 (68.2%), 1261yards, 15 touchdowns, 2 intercepts, 170.6 rating; 29,/78, no TDs.

Troy Smith is, as we've seen every week, the full commander of the #1 team. He is unquestioned the leader. He knows the offense well, makes good decisions and uses all the tools available to him. He is on the Heisman list and has displayed that quality of football for almost the entire season. Expect big things against a defense that is not very good. Drew Stanton, one of the most gifted QBs in school history with some of the greatest numbers, will finish his career for the Spartans. However, his tenure has been disappointing for the team. Michigan State will be remembered for the team's failures over the past two years more than the wins or impressive offensive numbers. Michigan State has had 2 wins over the past three years. Stanton has a positive side. Last year's Notre Dame victory was his most memorable. He scored 4 TDs and it will be a win they will always remember in East Lansing. In the Big Ten conference's other realm, Stanton lost 49-14 to 9-0 (then #4), Wisconsin. Stanton was not able to play in that game, but he did sparingly as a result of injury. Stanton is now the starter and this year it's his third year at the helm. In the 2+ years he has been there, he has only defeated one Big Ten team in a game. It was Minnesota that won the 2004 championship. Every QB who has been through the Big Ten needs one memorable conference win. Unless Penn State manages to overcome Michigan and make a run for it to finish the conference season at 6-1, this is his last chance. In between the games, the Spartans face Northwestern, Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota. Penn State has already lost enough to not qualify. Stanton is expected to let it all out in front the home crowd against the #1 team of the country one last time. This could be Stanton at the most dangerous. It will be Saturday's game that will tell. 2006 Michigan State Spartans Season Predictions