Thoughts on Maryland Game

I may be wrong about this (I'm too drained to actually verify it), but during the Big Ten Network's documentary on the Spartans this summer (Green and White Days) I believe I heard one of the MSU coaches talking about how tough it was to come back from vacation. And I remember thinking at the time: that's not a good attitude to have when you got robots like Harbaugh working around the clock to improve their programs, and it's not a good attitude to have when the rest of the Big Ten is working around the clock to improve. Yes, coaches should be able to spend time with their families, but the bottom line is that this is a profession in which your opponents are obsessed workaholics. If you don't obsess, you will fall behind. I do think that this helps explain what has happened this year. MSU got to the top, and then assumed they could stay there by coasting. They rested on their laurels. Yes, the team isn't as talented as usual, but the talent is better than 5 losses in a row. And you can see this team getting out-coached each and every week.

The seniors have failed this team. Apart from RJ Shelton, the seniors have underperformed, to say the least.

Speaking of RJ Shelton, he is going to be a star in the NFL, and people will wonder why we didn't hear much about him in college. That's because the coaches at MSU underutilized him. They don't seem to understand what they have in their hands. He needs to touch the ball at least 30 times against Michigan.

Khari Willis is a star and could become an All-American by next year.

Your season so often depends on surprises, good or bad. This year's important surprise has been the disastrous play of the linebackers. They were supposed to be the strength of this team and they have frankly looked below average. They are missing tackles, running into the wrong holes, and getting swallowed up by O-linemen.

The secondary was also supposed to be pretty good and yet continues to make big mistakes. We're talking about guys with a lot of experience!

Lewerke clearly has a lot of potential, but he is also clearly a freshman. He needs to throw with more confidence so that the ball will get to his receivers. If he can improve his accuracy and decision making, he has all the tools to be MSU's next NFL quarterback.

The fake field goal was a terrible decision. Geiger is kicking pretty well this year.

This team seems to always finds a way to blow good drives. Receivers fumble, penalties at terrible times, bad coaching decisions. It's unbelievable.

This team can move the ball, it just has to stop shooting itself in the foot. The running backs are looking pretty good, the receivers too. Lewerke should be good in a few games. This team can score points.