Rutgers football Gameday!

Last call in Piscataway today for the Rutgers 2017 season. Michigan State (And Johnny) will make up the opposition today but before we dig into today's particulars, how did RU really do this season?

The Scarlet Knights under Chris Ash sit at 4-7. After a miserable and truly pathetic 2-10 season a year ago they have doubled their win total but is this a truly 'feel good' about the two game improvement we're really going places or just a tiny bit better? Our answer is, and you'll hate us for punting, but we won't know if it's real improvement until next year. For every good 14-12 win at Purdue there was a 16-13 loss to Eastern Michigan at home. For every good win vs Maryland and Illinois there were still outright drubbings by Ohio State and INDIANA. For a few weeks they can run then the well runs dry. For a couple games the passing game looks passable then, dumptown. With the next recruiting class in it will take until this time next year to see if RU is going to press for bowl eligibility in their last two games of if god forbid they backslide. We'll say this, they competed well in the B1G this year, certainly better than predicted.

Every two years Sparty comes to town and every two years Johnny and Mrs. Johnny take on the hell that is NJ Transit who dumped an entire train of MSU & Rutgers fans in Rahway in 2015 after assuring them all (about 20 fans) that train that left Newark was going to New Brunswick. An Uber ride with RU fans met on the train saved the day and kickoff. 15 yard penalty on NJ Transit for targeting the wrong stop.  last time a wobbly #4 Spartan team and in on a Saturday night and RU gave them all they could stand and only walked out victorious after RU QB Chris Laviano spiked the ball on 4th down denying the Scarlet Knights a chance at a hail mary. The key that night was RU stopped the Spartan running attack.

They'll badly need to do that again today. MSU had become quite the passing team as the year has gone on, leaving that 'pound green pound' persona gained over the last few seasons of success with Javon Ringer, Le'Veon Bell & the LJ Scott battering ram of two years ago, not the chronic fumbler of this year. Last week vs Maryland however the old ground attack was back with a vengeance and with Sparty being of single mind today, "Flip it" (Meaning 3-9 last year to a possible 9-3 this year) they'd love nothing more than to dull this one down and unleash Scott, Madre London and Gerald Holmes again and again and again on a Rutgers defense that struggles mightily against the run. However if RU can slow the Spartan ground game, Chris Lewerke has plenty of targets to throw to. Felton Davis III should be on a lot of all-Big Ten teams with is 45 receptions for 586 yard and 8 of Lewerke's 16 TD passes. He's a big target who catches well and well in traffic.

Rutgers best advantage is one they'll have to make themselves, sow doubt in MSU's mind. If Sparty loses today this whole feel-good season or redemption and turn around somewhat ends as a buffed turd. Losing to a team with Rutgers record and not completing their 'flip' and suddenly the shine comes off 2017. As Dom DeLuise said in History of the World Part I, "Nice....not thrilling....but nice." There was a great article on it written in the Lansing State Journal. This game means a LOT to Michigan Sate, if RU can drag them into the deep water of the 4th quarter, like 2015, anything can happen.

Offensively, well, ugh. Johnny thought there was a good chance for RU last weekend before last place Indiana handed the Scarlet Knights their lunch 41-0. Has the RU offense checked out? Are they capable of running the ball against an awful tough team to run against? Are they willing to simply air it out today against a defense that brings pressure but puts corners and safeties in one on one coverage? DING DING DING! RU has to throw and throw well. Look, nothing to lose but everything to gain. Option passes, reverse passes, going for it on 4th down, throw caution to the wind and that does go to the idea of RU causing MSU some doubt. Sure that kind of gameplan can backfire but standing toe-to-toe with MSU in the trenches is a losing plan.

Like we said, last call on the Rutgers season. While RU might enjoy a night vodka tonic or Manhattan before they go, we kind of have a feeling tonight it'll be Boone's Farm wine.

Fearless Forecast
Michigan State 31
Rutgers 20

Rutgers football Gameday!

On the road for the last road game of the season in Bloomington Indiana today with a noon kickoff as the Scarlet Knights look DOWN at the Hoosiers in the B1G East standings.

What's that? There are TWO teams below Rutgers in the B1G East right now? It's true, a very strong second half of the season shows RU ahead of both the Hoosiers and Maryland. A win today would assure the Scarlet Knights of no less than 5th in the loaded East. Who among you had RU coming in right behind the Murderer's Row of Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Pedd State? Maryland and Indiana, who are they?

OK, let's not get too cocky but it's fun to even jest about these matter this late into November.

Indiana comes into the game in last place at 1-6 in B1G conference play. Wait a second, it's around here somewhere...

So, Indiana comes into today in last place in B1G conference play as the offensive juggernaut of the last few seasons never materialized. Can Rutgers keep it good and hibernated for another week?

That's why Johnny's writes these things.

First off, records aside, Johnny thinks this one will be close. Rutgers gives about about as many points as IU averages. The Hoosier defense gives up a tad more scoring than Rutgers. So our key to success? The same way they beat Illinois and Purdue, KISS, Keep.It.Simple.Stupid. Run the ball. RU averages around 166 yards a game on terra firma and will most likely need something close today. At Michigan State the mantra when the ground game is going well is, "Pound Green Pound" and if RU can get a "Pound Red Pound" today and control the clock they'll at least be in the game with better than a 50/50 chance to win. Indiana gives up a stingy 150+ on the ground so effort and lack of holding or false start penalties will be needed. Johnny's actual game key today for the Scarlet Knights is penalties. Composure on the road for a young growing team is vital.

If there ever was a time for Chris Ash to play the 'no respect' card it is today. Huddled away in a dump of a locker room in Bloomington Ash can point out despite being two games ahead of IU in the standings they are 10.5 point underdogs. The ESPN Matchup Predictor has IU at 76% likely to win today. Win today, and hope for the best vs Sparty next week in Piscataway and this season, this expected moribund season could end at 6-6. Could, might, maybe. All those words start today.

Fearless Forecast
Rutgers 30
Indiana 25

Rutgers Football Gameday!

OK, we know. We all now what today is and who is coming to town tonight. Urban Meyer and the Columbus Eleven arrive and everything we know, read or feel tells us the Buckeyes should have little trouble with Rutgers tonight in Piscataway.

Or does it?

Harken back a couple years ago when Michigan State came into RU for a Saturday night game, ranked #4 in the country and they barely escaped (and were helped with the spiked 4th down pass). Rutgers came up with a magnificent effort, a loud crowd and a belief that once the game got to the 4th quarter they COULD win it. How does that scenario come back around tonight? Let's look.

MSU came into that game with a decimated O-line and lost #1 RB Madre London on the first drive. Ohio State comes in healthy up front (So key) but with some vulnerabilities shown by Oklahoma. It wasn't that the Sooners had superior talent, they had a better scheme. How about it Chris Ash, here's your chance to gameplan a masterpiece. Gotta have it. The Scarlet Knights do have a talent deficiency tonight, its gotta be a great gameplan.

That night against MSU, Rutgers was on attack all night long on defense. They didn't seem to worry if the Spartans hit a big play. They kept coming and you could feel the defense build off of the confidence the coaches had in them. J.T. Barrett is the key and he can do a lot of things well, RU needs to keep him uncomfortable by doing things Rutgers doesn't normally do. Look, if you get buried 55-7 you do, the Bucks are are going to try to run up any score to get back in the playoff discussion. RU has to try something different OSU hasn't seen.

Let's use Michigan State in another way, how they beat OSU in Columbus a couple years back. Low scoring, ball control. MSU always plays OSU tough because they stop the run. In the 2013 Big Ten title game and in Columbus Sparty stuffed the OSU running game and made them pass. They contained the run in a 17-16 loss to Brutus last year. See they key? Running game. 100 yards allowed on the ground is the number the Scarlet Knight defense must keep in mind.

We'd say a couple years back MSU was looking past Rutgers to Michigan (the famed botched punt game) but OSU next week plays Maryland, not a top tier opponent so probably not advantage RU.

Our biggest worry is the Rutgers offense laying an egg. No, an egg. 13 points vs EMU makes nobody confident. Johnny said last week vs Nebraska that RU needed a defensive score to help them keep it close, they got that. Tonight we think they'll need a defensive score, a special teams score and maybe a blocked kick, the holy trinity.

So, yeah, it doesn't look good and right now all RU fans have to go on is faith and hope one day it turns around. A giant upset would help, especially tonight at home. As positive as Johnny tries to be with the RU football program in his Fearless Forecasts, tonight, well, let's just say no golf cart pizza for Urban:

Ohio State 42
Rutgers 16

Another season of Spartan football starts now!

Let's go Sparty, it can't be as bad as last year. How about we get back to the years before that with B1G titles, Rose Bowl wins, Cotton Bowl wins, playoffs, et al. Sparty on!

Spartan football 2016; And awaaaaaay we go...

Johnny's Spartans kick off the 2016 season tonight in East Lansing as defending B1G East and B1G champs. This season will have many challenges but if they can pass well and consistently they CAN win the B1G again though Ohio State as always sets a high benchmark and Michigan has a window this year with MSU and the Buckeyes losing an awful lot last year. Michigan had better make hay this season as both Urban Meter and Mark Dantonio have their highest rated recruiting classes coming in next year.

Ah well, whatever will be will be. Tough games loom in South Bend and also vs BYU. For now however let's get fired up to mash the visiting Furman Paladins (and Johnny has seen the Furman campus outside Greenville SC and it is one of the most beautiful college campuses anywhere) with this series of three major moments on MSU's path to the B1G titles last year:

Hope all they want, this play will NEVER go away for Michigan fans

You swing that arm Michael Geiger, and send Urban back for some more golf cart personal pizzas

22 plays, 9:04 on the final drive for Sparty, a drive Paul Finebaum on the SEC Network called one of the greatest drives in college football history

Sparty On Wayne!

Yeah, OK, today is probably gonna be a lot about MSU and Championship Saturday

You may not know it from reading here but in day to day dealing with people and in general Johnny's fairly reserved. That's out the window. His Spartans are in Indianapolis tonight to look to go to the top four team playoff. A win over Iowa would do that. On Monday Michigan State's basketball team will be voted #1 in the country. It's a good time to be a Spartan.

Word on the street is there are a lot of other title games going on today. Glory be, we have ourselves a SPORGY!

Johnny is still laughing too hard to be proud of his undefeated Spartans

They never win easily but if by chance you can take Michigan fans' hearts out like Bruce Lee and show it to them before they die, Johnny is pretty sure it would look like this. Surgery without anesthesia.

Sparty on Wayne! MSU may not win the National title or Rose Bowl or whatever but this play will make Johnny laugh on his deathbed.

Just one more round of the Michigan State fight song before heading out

Rutgers Football Gameday!

Now, you all know Johnny tries to be a fair arbiter of local sports teams he doesn't cheer for. He tries to explain the good and bad of the teams. Today's RU coverage is gonna be a little (ok a LOT) slanted, because today Johnny's Michigan State Spartans return to Piscataway ad Johnny WILL BE THERE.

Pretty cool thing, Rutgers joining the B1G so Johnny can see his Spartans somewhat locally again. Funny thing, Johnny moves to Jersey City and his beloved Red Wings are in the Eastern Conference of the NHL and make those regular trips to MSG, The Rock and Now the Barclay's Center. Johnny comes east and Rutgers joins the great midwestern bastion of football. Pretty cool deal.

OK, gameday. It's all going to boil down to RU's offensive line vs MSU's front seven. The Scarlet Knights do have a stable of talented running backs but that line is going to have to pave the way for those runners, something hard to do against Athalon's #2 defensive line in America. Lawrence Thomas and Malik McDowell are utter men against boys in a lot of cases. Bounce your run outside and there's All-American DE Shilique Calhoun. The RU line is young. The MSU line is awesome. How will the Knights line hold up? There's your key. Passing may be a better way for Rutgers to move the ball today but it's not a strength.

One advantage RU will have vs the #4 team in the land is special teams. Michigan State is normally has one of the better special team squads but that has not been the case this year. They have given up a kickoff return for a TD vs Western Michigan and a punt return vs Oregon. Rutgers gets a big edge here today.

We can look at this a million different ways and it all comes up the same on paper. Michigan State should win handily behind LJ Scott and the ground game and Connor Cook's arm. The MSU defense should stifle the RU running attack. Should, but that's why games are played.

Still with no Kyle Flood as head coach and MSU looking to lock in before visiting Khaki University next weekend this one seems to be telling Johnny something:

Fearless Forecast:
Michigan State 31
Rutgers 17

OK Rutgers football fans, let's hear from you

Johnny got his tickets for the Michigan State vs Rutgers game in Piscataway on October 10. Help a fellow B1G fan out. What can Mr. and Mrs. Johnny look forward to? Are there any must-see campus traditions that go on around the stadium? And chants and cheers you'd like to let Johnny in on?

Seriously, it'll be nice to see a game from yet another B1G stadium. This'll make of course Spartan Stadium, Michigan Stadium, Camp Randall Stadium, Ohio Stadium and Northwestern's Ryan Field. Tell Johnny what makes gameday at RU, the birthplace of college football, special.

What a Spartan victory!!

WOW, what a Cotton Bowl. Johnny was happy to be playing in a bowl game MSU hadn't been in before that had a lot of history and and was a top flight game against a top flight team.

Now he's over the moon excited at another top ten finish in the polls and a 4th straight bowl victory over some pretty good teams in TCU, Georgia, Stanford and now Baylor. Sparty on!

Oh, and Michigan State's Tony Lippett wishes the Baylor kicker a Happy BOOM Year!

Happy New Year Jersey City!

Now, entertain yourself while Johnny watches his Michigan State Spartans in the Cotton Bowl, a storied bowl game today's going to hopefully be a great first opportunity to play in it. Did you know Michigan State has the highest winning percentage in the Rose Bowl at 5-1? It's a fact.

Oh, and Johnny is also calling Oregon to win the Rose Bowl and he's going to pick Ohio State in an upset over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and give the SEC a really bad weekend.

Rutgers football Gameday!

Well fans here we are, late late November and a season that was supposed to be a soul-crushing doormat trip through their first season ion the B1G actually has a huge opportunity. Rutgers is 6-5 and they NEED this win today and here's why.

Northwestern and Illinois are fighting to be bowl eligible at 6-6, one will today. With a huge upset over the Buckeyes (and they almost did last year) Michigan is 6-6. If Sparty beats Penn State today they will be 6-6. That is just too many 6-6 teams to ASSURE a bowl game for RU. Yes, 6-6 qualifies you but if you think a small bowl game is going to take Rutgers at 6-6 over Michigan and Penn State at 6-6 you're fooling yourself. Don't think the B1G itself would lobby for RU to not go over Michigan or PSU, B1G Commissioner Jim Delany is NOT your friend RU. The B1G look at 6-6 teams doesn't even begin to count all the other 6-6 teams out there. If the Knights want a payout this year they MUST win today.

7-4 Maryland awaits in The Noob Bowl. Maryland is a one TD favorite BUT this is going to have to be a program win for Rutgers. Most of Maryland's success has come away from Byrd Stadium on the road. Rutgers must dig deep, stick to their game plan and cinch a bowl game. We think Gary Nova will shine today.

For God and Country....and a bowl game

Fearless Forecast:
Rutgers 27
Maryland 25

Rutgers football Gameday!

Welcome to the RU football Gameday Johnny has waited all year for -- The Michigan State Spartans.

Michigan State is proof Rutgers can succeed in the B1G. Michigan State had drifted for years in the conference without much to take away from, well any of it. Since Duffy Daugherty retired and after Nick Saban left in 1999 MSU fell into a general malaise winning only one Big Ten title in 1990. They'd have some nice runs and the occasional upset of Ohio State or Michigan but nothing you'd go up on rooftops yelling about.

Kinda sorta like Rutgers for the last 25-30 years. A lot of naysayers said Rutgers would be the doormat of the B1G this year and that has been far from true. Rutgers has established a calling card in only their first year as being a team that is difficult to play against and excellent on special teams. Quick, what's Maryland's calling card? Exactly. It's not as bad as all that Scarlet Knights fans. Mark Dantonio at MSU has taken overlooked two and three star recruits and coached them better than anyone else in the midwest and has become a national power in the process. Rutgers has a good coach in Kyle Flood. If he can have three or four years to get his guys in that FIT the program he's trying to build, and gets guys overlooked with something to prove and yes, nine or ten win seasons are not out of the question. Johnny's not saying it's going to happen overnight or that Rutgers will become Auburn or Alabama any time soon but RU is positioned well right now.

OK, football! This is an A gap blitz. MSU runs these a LOT:

See the two middle linebackers get a healthy running start at the opposing team's backfield? Yeah, and if Gary Nova does not handle these Pat Narduzzi blitzes Rutgers is in for a long day. Why can Michigan St. blitz like this? Their cornerbacks play tight press coverage and are very good at it. They know most long passes are not completed especially when A) the QB is under great pressure and B) The defender is good. The Spartans dare the opposition to throw long. In order for RU to keep things close and hope for an upset Gary Nova is going to have to hit at least three plays of 50 yards or more. He is going to have to prove to the 75,000 green and white fans on Senior Day he can go long and keep going long. Though not a strength Rutgers is going to need to run the ball against the Green Wall for around 100 yards to keep Nova upright when he passes.

When MSU has the ball they have perhaps the most balanced offense in the conference. Pro to be Connor Cook is not afraid to use his arm (Note: At least once a game he WILL throw a pass that makes MSU fans wonder if he's blind) and has a cadre of good receivers and one great one. Tony Lippett, (#14 in your program but #1 in your heart) has had a breakout season. He's big, strong, fast and makes great catches for long gains:

Getting back to how Rutgers can emulate Michigan St. by smart player selection; all everything running back Jeremy Langford was a third team defensive back after his freshman year. It cost MSU nothing to move him and see if his talents didn't fit better elsewhere. Smart good coaching can cover a lot of holes. Look at Langford now, over 100 yards for 13 straight games. He has 33 career TD's. All they did was move him.

Langford has fumbled in the past and as noted above Connor Cook is prone to a horrid throw every so often believing in his arm more than he should. Rutgers is going to need turnovers and will most likely need one of their patented blocked kicks for a score to keep it close and spring what would be a huge upset and BIG program win for Kyle Flood and RU.

All this being said Johnny is gonna go with his deep seeded loyalties today in the rain/snow/fog of East Lansing.

Fearless Forecast:
Michigan St. 45
Rutgers 14

Sorry Bono, nothing is quiet this New Year's Day

It's a sporgy for Johnny today. The Tournament of Roses Parade which he'll watch for the first time since 1988. Then the Winter Classic in Ann Arbor featuring his Red Wings. Hey NHL, the Wings and Leafs drew over 40,000 for two alumni games yesterday at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit. ALUMNI games. Proof positive the NHL has been wasting time putting this yearly gem in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Finally the Rose Bowl kicks off at 5pm. THE event of the day. Sparty On! You better believe Johnny has the place decorated in green and white.....and red.

Everyone enjoy your day and we'll be back here later tonight to revel in victory or feel the agony of defeat.

It has been 25 years since Johnny has felt like this

When you grow up a Big Ten football fan in the midwest Valhalla is Pasadena California. All that is good and glorious and life's rich reward is your team in the Rose Bowl and your band playing your fight song in the Rose Bowl parade. Seeing your team's name painted in the end zone. This is all that matters to B1G football fans. It has been twenty five long agonizing years since Johnny's Michigan State Spartans have had a chance to go back to Pasadena. Today is that day. Sparty sits on the precipice of the Rose Bowl again tonight.

Call it voting with your heart if you will. Ohio St. feels they have to win with style points and by a lot to stay ahead of Auburn in BCS points. The worst kind of concentration breaker, having to win pretty. That leads to bad turnovers against the best defense in America. You heard it here first:

Michigan St. 31
Ohio St. 27

MSU 29 The Great Satan 6

WOW, Johnny was very very invested in this game and his Spartans carried the day in a BIG way.

OK, you can carry on and come back for the scoreboard show later tonight.

Johnny has been tailgating all day for his MSU Spartans

Where does the day go when you have a cooler full of beverages and a Weber pot grill and you plant your Spartan flag at a rest area out on I-80. Lots of stares but who cares because it's college football season!

The Spartans will host Boise St. tonight in East Lansing. As we all know anything and everything can happen in a first game. Just ask Kent State and Towson. Watch this, it must have been a loooong summer. It's one thing to pick up what you see as a fumble and run the wrong way but if you're Towson, why would you chase him down and tackle him? Let him go man, it's only two points but they count just the same. From the looks of things you could have used any points you could get.


Anything and everything.

Mmmm, can you smell that? Smell all the bowl goodness today

You can smell all the bowl games today cooking in the kitchen can't you? Some wonderful matchups today. Johnny of course will be cheering for his Michigan State Spartans at 1 pm vs. Georgia. Sure hope this bowl game goes better than last year.

So readers, which game today intrigues you most?

Well pigskin fans, that time of year is upon us -- Rutgers starts with a win

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights began the 2011 college football season last night at Rutgers Stadium (again, we don't play corporate name games) in front of 40,000 plus Scarlet Knight fans with an impressive (for the competition) 48-0 trashing of North Carolina Central. The defense set the pace for Rutgers, overwhelming the NC Central offensive line with NINE sacks and limiting the Eagles to 8 yards rushing on 30 carries. The offense was so-so for such a blowout and Rutgers will have to improve as next week it's a REAL North Carolina team, the Tar Heels whom Rutgers visits next Saturday. Still, 1-0 ain't chopped liver.

Now, Johnny's team, the Michigan State Spartans, wait, the Defending Big Ten Champion Michigan State Spartans kick off against an equal patsy in the Youngstown State Penguins at Spartan Stadium at 7:30. While 11-2 again this year looks difficult given the MSU schedule, Mark Dantonio is building a gangbusters program in East Lansing.

As he does every season, Johnny now plays one of his favorite MSU video clips to ward off bad luck and evil Badger, Buckeye, Wolverine and now Cornhusker spirits:


And let's spin that 'S' one time shall we?