Quote Originally Posted by scalabrine:
There's two competing angles here:
Yours: That the coaching staff typically uses these initial games against inferior competition as more of a scrimmage and won't cover big numbers. D'Antonio at the helm, even over the course of several years, has fostered such culture.
Therefore laying a number like 17 to a fairly competent BG team is far too dangerous.
Mine: MSU is coming off their worst season since 1982. It was a culture shock to the alumni, locals and CFB world to see MSU struggle to such an extent. D'Antonio has only a few games against inferior competition in a highly completive conference. If he wants to make a statement early (i.e., that he has righted the ship off one of MSU's worst seasons ever) now is the time to do.
From there I break down Bowling Green above and explain why 17 is inadequate in terms of being backdoored.
Thank you for the contribution but I really think I have the superior argument here. It is not surprising to see MSU in seasons where they were competing for a national championship to play it close to the vest early.
This is not ordinary season. Results must come fast and furious or they'll be plastered on the front pages once again. Wins, big wins, make that a distant memory (and this is much like the Notre Dame cap over Temple where you have an inexperienced coach on one side vs. a team that must make a statement early at home, with a very similar line in both).
Uni, interesting stuff. No names on the jersey. Wow.
Great response. I'm certain MSU will rebound, but I see the rebound happening next year. They had so many personnel losses and are razor thin on both lines. They are starting two walk ons at DE in the first game. On the plus side, they will have much better QB play this year with Lewerke.
I completely agree with the psychological side for MSU, but I fear they simply don't have the horses this year. MSU built their program redshirting the majority of their freshmen, develop them over the course of three years, and have them start as upperclassmen. With all the suspensions, transfers, and early departures, they weren't able to do that the last couple years and are now showing chinks in their armor.
Not trying to prove you wrong, you're one of my favorite posters on here, just trying to add my two cents to give you an angle you may not see. The line did drop a half a point yesterday, so you may be able to get a better line if you wait it out until the morning of the game.
congrats on seeing the value here
and scal is free/
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