And now our beat writers are onboard. This is not a #2 team, nor a playoff team

At least as things stand today.

Rexrode and Couch are onboard. In fact, Joe rips this team a new one in today's Freep, and tells the fans to get real.

Always a day late these guys. Must be the medium.

Anyway… It's good to be 4-0.  The national media is still behind us, sort of. There's time to fix the problems.

For a fat guy, Rexrode isn't that jovial.

meh.. MSU definitely looks beatable. But I haven't seen a team yet that looks invincible like maybe an Alabama of the past might have looked like. Ole Miss looked great early, beat Alabama in Tuscaoloosa but looked rather modest against Vandy. UCLA looks pretty tough - Ohio State looked better Saturday but definitely beatable. LSU has been winning but not in a convincing fashion. TCU needed a late score to pull it out. Georgia will be good - they've at least already beat two SEC teams.

So - truth is - yes, MSU has some glaring holes. But plenty of other 4-0 "contenders" do, as well. Luckily for their fans, MSU hasn't really had to play anyone yet and still doesn't at least for a few weeks.

I really disagree with Rexrode here.

The more pressing reality for the 4-0 Spartans: They're looking at multiple losses and a Jim Mora "Playoffs?" meme before they get to Ohio State, unless their defense does an about-face.

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2015/09/27/michigan-state-spartans-defense/72954268/

MSU isn't losing multiple times before the Ohio State game. Our schedule is too easy to lose twice.

Just so we're clear. MSU is the only team that can't have a loss, right? That is pretty damn demanding and close to unrealistic.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:meh.. MSU definitely looks beatable. But I haven't seen a team yet that looks invincible like maybe an Alabama of the past might have looked like. Ole Miss looked great early, beat Alabama in Tuscaoloosa but looked rather modest against Vandy. UCLA looks pretty tough - Ohio State looked better Saturday but definitely beatable. LSU has been winning but not in a convincing fashion. TCU needed a late score to pull it out. Georgia will be good - they've at least already beat two SEC teams.

So - truth is - yes, MSU has some glaring holes. But plenty of other 4-0 "contenders" do, as well. Luckily for their fans, MSU hasn't really had to play anyone yet and still doesn't at least for a few weeks.

This guy gets it. Whoever he is.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:meh.. MSU definitely looks beatable. But I haven't seen a team yet that looks invincible like maybe an Alabama of the past might have looked like. Ole Miss looked great early, beat Alabama in Tuscaoloosa but looked rather modest against Vandy. UCLA looks pretty tough - Ohio State looked better Saturday but definitely beatable. LSU has been winning but not in a convincing fashion. TCU needed a late score to pull it out. Georgia will be good - they've at least already beat two SEC teams.

So - truth is - yes, MSU has some glaring holes. But plenty of other 4-0 "contenders" do, as well. Luckily for their fans, MSU hasn't really had to play anyone yet and still doesn't at least for a few weeks.

This guy gets it. Whoever he is.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:meh.. MSU definitely looks beatable. But I haven't seen a team yet that looks invincible like maybe an Alabama of the past might have looked like. Ole Miss looked great early, beat Alabama in Tuscaoloosa but looked rather modest against Vandy. UCLA looks pretty tough - Ohio State looked better Saturday but definitely beatable. LSU has been winning but not in a convincing fashion. TCU needed a late score to pull it out. Georgia will be good - they've at least already beat two SEC teams.

So - truth is - yes, MSU has some glaring holes. But plenty of other 4-0 "contenders" do, as well. Luckily for their fans, MSU hasn't really had to play anyone yet and still doesn't at least for a few weeks.

Agree, no other team is making a clear case for number two, so for the time being we might as well remain there.

Congrats, you've been Vladidated.

gHost Spartan wrote:I don't know why its so difficult to accept that we don't look like the #2 team in the nation right now, especially after Oregon completely disintegrated. Frankly, the team looks fucking awful, and I could see losses at Nebraska and Michigan before the Ohio State game, and possibly three losses for the year. I don't know, maybe they're just not inspired yet? I think a lot about Ohio State last season, especially the Penn State game, they looked so bad. But when they started playing real teams Urbz flipped the switch and they went into beast mode. Maybe the Spartans will do the same thing, I don't know, only time will tell.

What's your top 10?

gHost Spartan wrote:I don't know why its so difficult to accept that we don't look like the #2 team in the nation right now, especially after Oregon completely disintegrated. Frankly, the team looks fucking awful, and I could see losses at Nebraska and Michigan before the Ohio State game, and possibly three losses for the year. I don't know, maybe they're just not inspired yet? I think a lot about Ohio State last season, especially the Penn State game, they looked so bad. But when they started playing real teams Urbz flipped the switch and they went into beast mode. Maybe the Spartans will do the same thing, I don't know, only time will tell.

Nebraska sucks. I don't know why people keep bringing them up as some sort of challenging game.

Vlad wrote:At least as things stand today.

Rexrode and Couch are onboard. In fact, Joe rips this team a new one in today's Freep, and tells the fans to get real.

Always a day late these guys. Must be the medium.

Anyway… It's good to be 4-0.  The national media is still behind us, sort of. There's time to fix the problems.

Do us a favor and kill yourself.

gHost Spartan wrote:I don't know why its so difficult to accept that we don't look like the #2 team in the nation right now, especially after Oregon completely disintegrated. Frankly, the team looks fucking awful, and I could see losses at Nebraska and Michigan before the Ohio State game, and possibly three losses for the year. I don't know, maybe they're just not inspired yet? I think a lot about Ohio State last season, especially the Penn State game, they looked so bad. But when they started playing real teams Urbz flipped the switch and they went into beast mode. Maybe the Spartans will do the same thing, I don't know, only time will tell.

Somewhat agree. I'm also hoping that maybe they're just playing down to the competition, and when the competition picks up, their effort will follow.

Out of the injury list we at least need to get Conklin and Price back. If hey miss extended time, I think 2 or 3 losses are likely.

Vlad wrote:

Somewhat agree. I'm also hoping that maybe they're just playing down to the competition, and when the competition picks up, their effort will follow.

Out of the injury list we at least need to get Conklin and Price back. If hey miss extended time, I think 2 or 3 losses are likely.

I have a feeling that Conklin will miss the next 2 weeks, but return for the um game. I think what we need back is Kieler more than Price. Hopefully Hicks can get back into shape, but mono is tough to recover from.

Keiler was still on crutches last Sat, so...

Vlad wrote:At least as things stand today.

Rexrode and Couch are onboard. In fact, Joe rips this team a new one in today's Freep, and tells the fans to get real.

Always a day late these guys. Must be the medium.

Anyway… It's good to be 4-0.  The national media is still behind us, sort of. There's time to fix the problems.

Do you Google "MSU football sucks" every day or just on the weekends?

SpartyScotty wrote:

Vlad wrote:At least as things stand today.

Rexrode and Couch are onboard. In fact, Joe rips this team a new one in today's Freep, and tells the fans to get real.

Always a day late these guys. Must be the medium.

Anyway… It's good to be 4-0.  The national media is still behind us, sort of. There's time to fix the problems.

Do us a favor and kill yourself.

I would've considered your request, but now that our beat writers are with me, I think I'll stick around a bit longer.

OSU doesn't look like a #1 team. TCU doesn't look like a #4 team.

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:

Vlad wrote:At least as things stand today.

Rexrode and Couch are onboard. In fact, Joe rips this team a new one in today's Freep, and tells the fans to get real.

Always a day late these guys. Must be the medium.

Anyway… It's good to be 4-0.  The national media is still behind us, sort of. There's time to fix the problems.

Do you Google "MSU football sucks" every day or just on the weekends?

Nope. All I need is my eyes and the SpartansXtra app.

Vlad wrote:

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:

Do you Google "MSU football sucks" every day or just on the weekends?

Nope. All I need is my eyes and the SpartansXtra app.

Gonna need your picks in the Playoff Contest Thread. Thanks.

gHost Spartan wrote:I don't know why its so difficult to accept that we don't look like the #2 team in the nation right now, especially after Oregon completely disintegrated. Frankly, the team looks fucking awful, and I could see losses at Nebraska and Michigan before the Ohio State game, and possibly three losses for the year. I don't know, maybe they're just not inspired yet? I think a lot about Ohio State last season, especially the Penn State game, they looked so bad. But when they started playing real teams Urbz flipped the switch and they went into beast mode. Maybe the Spartans will do the same thing, I don't know, only time will tell.

Unfortunately, it is going to be very difficult to "flip a switch" with the mounting injuries.

NigelUno wrote:OSU doesn't look like a #1 team. TCU doesn't look like a #4 team.

Agree, and this explains our current ranking as well. Someone has to occupy the top spots. Since no one is really making a strong case, might as well stay pretty close to what they started with in the preseason polls.

Vlad wrote:

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:

Do you Google "MSU football sucks" every day or just on the weekends?

Nope. All I need is my eyes and the SpartansXtra app.

Your eyes told you that we wouldn't make the tournament last March also, right? I'd start getting a second opinion if I were you.

gHost Spartan wrote:

Giant Moose wrote:
Nebraska sucks. I don't know why people keep bringing them up as some sort of challenging game.

Have you seen Armstrong? He's putting up good numbers and improved over last season. It's going to be a tough game. Keep in mind I'm not predicting a loss but I don't mark that game down as an automatic W, either.

anytime you go on the road in conference play, anything can happen.

Who looks like a playoff team?

Ole Miss? Bama turned the ball over 5 times when they played.

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:

Vlad wrote:

Nope. All I need is my eyes and the  SpartansXtra app.

Your eyes told you that we wouldn't make the tournament last March also, right? I'd start getting a second opinion if I were you.

Any opinion stated is only applicable 'til that point in time.  With all the "switches" that can potentially be turned on (or off), who knows what might happen going forward.  A perfect season is still on the table, just not likely.

NigelUno wrote:Who looks like a playoff team?

Ole Miss? Bama turned the ball over 5 times when they played.

in my estimation, UCLA is probably the best team in the country right now, but they barely beat BYU. They still have to go on the road to Arizona State, Stanford, USC and Utah. Not sure they can run the table with that schedule.

Ole Miss is probably #2

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

NigelUno wrote:Who looks like a playoff team?

Ole Miss? Bama turned the ball over 5 times when they played.

in my estimation, UCLA is probably the best team in the country right now, but they barely beat BYU. They still have to go on the road to Arizona State, Stanford, USC and Utah. Not sure they can run the table with that schedule.

Ole Miss is probably #2

Need your picks in the Playoff Projection Thread!

NigelUno wrote:Who looks like a playoff team?

Ole Miss?  Bama turned the ball over 5 times when they played.

Four weeks into the season, with the pre-season favorites still holding serve, you can only go with the default list.  So if the playoffs started tomorrow, I'd say OSU, MSU, TCU and Bama. Why not?

Have they earned it? Not necessarily, but we don't know any better yet.

Faith in coach D.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:meh.. MSU definitely looks beatable. But I haven't seen a team yet that looks invincible like maybe an Alabama of the past might have looked like. Ole Miss looked great early, beat Alabama in Tuscaoloosa but looked rather modest against Vandy. UCLA looks pretty tough - Ohio State looked better Saturday but definitely beatable. LSU has been winning but not in a convincing fashion. TCU needed a late score to pull it out. Georgia will be good - they've at least already beat two SEC teams.

So - truth is - yes, MSU has some glaring holes. But plenty of other 4-0 "contenders" do, as well. Luckily for their fans, MSU hasn't really had to play anyone yet and still doesn't at least for a few weeks.

I agree. MSU is not a Juggernaut, but there is no dominant team in CFB this year. I do not know who the best four teams are right now let alone the best team. Nobody has separated themselves from the pack.

Vlad wrote:

NigelUno wrote:Who looks like a playoff team?

Ole Miss?  Bama turned the ball over 5 times when they played.

Four weeks into the season, with the pre-season favorites still holding serve, you can only go with the default list.  So if the playoffs started tomorrow, I'd say OSU, MSU, TCU and Bama. Why not?

Have they earned it? Not necessarily, but we don't know any better yet.

I guess I'm not following your thinking. You say MSU doesn't look like a playoff team, but you would pick them to be in the playoffs?

gHost Spartan wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:in my estimation, UCLA is probably the best team in the country right now, but they barely beat BYU. They still have to go on the road to Arizona State, Stanford, USC and Utah. Not sure they can run the table with that schedule.

Ole Miss is probably #2

ASU is terrible.

meh, anything can happen. That'll be a tough game on the road for UCLA.

A year ago at this time Oklahoma was ranked #3 and Ohio state was #22.

I guess what I'm saying is who the fuck knows what's gonna happen.

Go best Purdue. By however many you want to beat them by. It doesn't actually matter. Just win the games.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

gHost Spartan wrote:

ASU is terrible.

meh, anything can happen. That'll be a tough game on the road for UCLA.

UCLA also has a true freshman QB. Adds a bit of "you never know" to their season, especially as we get deeper into conference.

Turtleneck wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:meh, anything can happen. That'll be a tough game on the road for UCLA.

UCLA also has a true freshman QB. Adds a bit of "you never know" to their season, especially as we get deeper into conference.

yep. Out of all of the "contenders", they probably have the toughest road.

Vlad, how excited were you when you read Rexrode and Couch ? I bet you raced to your keyboard to pass on this "news".

duffy munn wrote:Vlad, how excited were you when you read Rexrode and Couch ? I bet you raced to your keyboard to pass on this "news".

He had to jerk off first. It didn't take long though. 20 seconds tops after that news.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

duffy munn wrote:Vlad, how excited were you when you read Rexrode and Couch ? I bet you raced to your keyboard to pass on this "news".

He had to jerk off first. It didn't take long though. 20 seconds tops after that news.

Probably worked it to a picture of Devin Gardner.

Just think about how many times a day Vlad with spank it if we actually lose a game.

NigelUno wrote:

Vlad wrote:

Four weeks into the season, with the pre-season favorites still holding serve, you can only go with the default list.  So if the playoffs started tomorrow, I'd say OSU, MSU, TCU and Bama. Why not?

Have they earned it? Not necessarily, but we don't know any better yet.

I guess I'm not following your thinking.  You say MSU doesn't look like a playoff team, but you would pick them to be in the playoffs

Not enough data available yet.  We're barely entering conference play.  So yeah, if the playoffs start tomorrow, go with the preseason favorites.