
MSU is great at a lot of things, but staring you in the face and saying, "You can't have this last yard," is the thing it's best at. That's the way writer Rodger Sherman put it. Perfect.
Since November 17, 2012, Michigan State is 28-3. And they've evolved during that time. The early 2013 team was happy to let its defense outscore the opposing offense. Now they have scored 31 or more points 10 games in a row.
But one thing has remained constant. The heart and soul of the ferocious defense remains the defensive front. Four times, at the most crucial moments, on the biggest stage, Michigan State held Oregon on fourth down.
Since November 17, 2012, Michigan State is 28-3. And they've evolved during that time. The early 2013 team was happy to let its defense outscore the opposing offense. Now they have scored 31 or more points 10 games in a row.
But one thing has remained constant. The heart and soul of the ferocious defense remains the defensive front. Four times, at the most crucial moments, on the biggest stage, Michigan State held Oregon on fourth down.

It wasn’t pretty. Not by a long shot. But when they had to – State came through. On the opening drive, Oregon shredded the Spartan perimeter. From sideline to sideline they outflanked State – chunking their way down the field. When they were done, they had 75 yards on 13 plays to stake out a 7-0 lead. I had barely gotten my cigar out of the wrapper and State was down a TD. Nightmares of 2014’s second half collapse returned. Had Oregon figured out the State defense?
The offense responded. This team was not one dimensional. They can beat you in many ways. It only took one play to get the Spartans back into the game. Madre London burst through the middle for a 62 yard romp to the Oregon 13. Two plays later State was in the end zone to tie it 7 all. You want to score fast Oregon? We got you one better.
The Duck opening drive pissed off the State D. They held Oregon to 3 and outs on the next two drives. Then they took it up another notch with an amazing pick by Montae Nicholson
The offense responded. This team was not one dimensional. They can beat you in many ways. It only took one play to get the Spartans back into the game. Madre London burst through the middle for a 62 yard romp to the Oregon 13. Two plays later State was in the end zone to tie it 7 all. You want to score fast Oregon? We got you one better.
The Duck opening drive pissed off the State D. They held Oregon to 3 and outs on the next two drives. Then they took it up another notch with an amazing pick by Montae Nicholson

Six plays later Connor Cook hits Aaron Burbridge for a 17 yard TD. State had weathered the initial storm. Now it was taking control of the game.
But Oregon is a top 10 team for a reason. They can overcome adversity too. The Ducks responded. They get the ball at their 17 and drive all the way to the Spartan 1. 3rd and goal. One yard to go and .... Stuffed!.
4th and goal still a yard to go. State goes Rose Bowl on the Ducks and stops them again! You can’t have this last yard!!
The offense was now faltering ever so slightly. State brings it out from the goal line but is forced to punt. Oregon takes over at their 16 and drives to the State 45. QB Vernon Adams heaves a long pass and pick! The defense is putting this game on their shoulders. RJ Williamson stops another drive.
The offense now starts to struggle even worse. State drives to the Oregon 40 and Cook gets picked. C'mon State - put this game away. The defense is playing fantastic but it's going to need some help.
But Oregon is a top 10 team for a reason. They can overcome adversity too. The Ducks responded. They get the ball at their 17 and drive all the way to the Spartan 1. 3rd and goal. One yard to go and .... Stuffed!.
4th and goal still a yard to go. State goes Rose Bowl on the Ducks and stops them again! You can’t have this last yard!!
The offense was now faltering ever so slightly. State brings it out from the goal line but is forced to punt. Oregon takes over at their 16 and drives to the State 45. QB Vernon Adams heaves a long pass and pick! The defense is putting this game on their shoulders. RJ Williamson stops another drive.
The offense now starts to struggle even worse. State drives to the Oregon 40 and Cook gets picked. C'mon State - put this game away. The defense is playing fantastic but it's going to need some help.

Oregon now has the ball at their 40.
They continue to attack the MSU flanks getting it down to the State 34. With 30 seconds left in the first half - it's 4th and 11. MSU calls time out to regroup. Adams drops back and misses Byron Marshall. State holds the lead. It was a scene that would come back to haunt Adams in the 4th quarter.
I needed a halftime to regroup too. Ellis was hosting another great time on his deck. My heart was pounding despite the Willett bourbon we were finishing off. After we finished off the Willett, Chris took home the bottle to repurpose it. It looks like Barbara Eden's old home. It'll make a fine addition to his collection. While he was grabbing the bottle, we were opening the Red Breast.
They continue to attack the MSU flanks getting it down to the State 34. With 30 seconds left in the first half - it's 4th and 11. MSU calls time out to regroup. Adams drops back and misses Byron Marshall. State holds the lead. It was a scene that would come back to haunt Adams in the 4th quarter.
I needed a halftime to regroup too. Ellis was hosting another great time on his deck. My heart was pounding despite the Willett bourbon we were finishing off. After we finished off the Willett, Chris took home the bottle to repurpose it. It looks like Barbara Eden's old home. It'll make a fine addition to his collection. While he was grabbing the bottle, we were opening the Red Breast.

The second half opened up with another 3 and out by the State offense. It was not gaining traction. In a one score game, with Oregon moving the ball and State stalling, it would only take one slip to tie the game.
It wasn't the defense that slipped nor the offense. It was the special teams. For the second week in a row, special teams were a disaster. Western was able to get a 70 yard return and a 100 yard TD return against the kick return defense. This time the punt return team whiffed. Oregon's Bralon Addison takes it 81 yards to the house. We're tied.
Just like in the National Championship game, Oregon scores the first time they get their hands on the ball in the second half.
But just liked in the first half of this game, when State got punched in the mouth, they punched right back. This time they were much more methodical. State gets the ball on their 25 and grinds it to the Oregon 34 - fourth and six. Dantonio decides that he is not going to go for a FG. He wants the offense to win this game. And unlike Oregon, State is going to get that first down. They own fourth down! Cook hits Aaron Burbridge for a 28 yard strike. First and goal at the six. LJ Scott punches it in. TD! State is back on top 21-14.
It wasn't the defense that slipped nor the offense. It was the special teams. For the second week in a row, special teams were a disaster. Western was able to get a 70 yard return and a 100 yard TD return against the kick return defense. This time the punt return team whiffed. Oregon's Bralon Addison takes it 81 yards to the house. We're tied.
Just like in the National Championship game, Oregon scores the first time they get their hands on the ball in the second half.
But just liked in the first half of this game, when State got punched in the mouth, they punched right back. This time they were much more methodical. State gets the ball on their 25 and grinds it to the Oregon 34 - fourth and six. Dantonio decides that he is not going to go for a FG. He wants the offense to win this game. And unlike Oregon, State is going to get that first down. They own fourth down! Cook hits Aaron Burbridge for a 28 yard strike. First and goal at the six. LJ Scott punches it in. TD! State is back on top 21-14.

The defense responds. They force another 3 and out on the Ducks.
State goes on another long methodical drive. They chew up 5½ minutes and get to the Oregon 19.
Mike Gieger kicks a FG. MSU finally gets that two score lead. They have some breathing room. I decide to light my second cigar in hopes it would be a victory cigar as it wound down.
Oregon would have nothing to do with that. This was to be a heavy weight match. Punch, counter punch.
Starting at his own 22, Adams guides his team down to the State 2 where he takes it in himself. Oregon cuts the lead to 24-21, 12 minutes left.
State goes on another long methodical drive. They chew up 5½ minutes and get to the Oregon 19.
Mike Gieger kicks a FG. MSU finally gets that two score lead. They have some breathing room. I decide to light my second cigar in hopes it would be a victory cigar as it wound down.
Oregon would have nothing to do with that. This was to be a heavy weight match. Punch, counter punch.
Starting at his own 22, Adams guides his team down to the State 2 where he takes it in himself. Oregon cuts the lead to 24-21, 12 minutes left.

Punch, counter punch. State goes 3 plays and scores on another LJ Scott TD run. The lead is back to 10, 31-21.
Now, it's the defense's time to throw a body blow. Oregon starts at their 17. 10 plays later they have worked their way to the State 43, 1 yard to go, 4th down, Spartan down. Vernon Adams gets stuffed again! The Spartans hold.
Up 10, all the need to do now is go on a time consuming, milk the clock and put this game away drive.
No such luck. Oregon forces a 3 and out. State punts for a touchback. Oregon now starts at their 20, 6 minutes to go. Counterpunch. Oregon is not dead yet. They drive the the Spartan 15 when Adams hits Byron Marshall for a TD. State's lead is cut to 31-28. 3:25 left.
Too much time. State needs to take time off the clock or the could face a melt not seen since a rainy night against Notre Dame.
Again, MSU goes 3 and out taking just a minute off the clock.
State's offense may be better than in the past. but they are still going to be known for their defense. In another huge matchup, the game will be put on the defense's shoulders to win it. Oregon's punt return team got the ball to the Spartan 48. First down, 1:14 to go. This will be the last drive of the game. Strength against strength. Oregon's prolific offense against a defense that makes you earn every inch.
Now, it's the defense's time to throw a body blow. Oregon starts at their 17. 10 plays later they have worked their way to the State 43, 1 yard to go, 4th down, Spartan down. Vernon Adams gets stuffed again! The Spartans hold.
Up 10, all the need to do now is go on a time consuming, milk the clock and put this game away drive.
No such luck. Oregon forces a 3 and out. State punts for a touchback. Oregon now starts at their 20, 6 minutes to go. Counterpunch. Oregon is not dead yet. They drive the the Spartan 15 when Adams hits Byron Marshall for a TD. State's lead is cut to 31-28. 3:25 left.
Too much time. State needs to take time off the clock or the could face a melt not seen since a rainy night against Notre Dame.
Again, MSU goes 3 and out taking just a minute off the clock.
State's offense may be better than in the past. but they are still going to be known for their defense. In another huge matchup, the game will be put on the defense's shoulders to win it. Oregon's punt return team got the ball to the Spartan 48. First down, 1:14 to go. This will be the last drive of the game. Strength against strength. Oregon's prolific offense against a defense that makes you earn every inch.

Sometimes, you have to be lucky as well as good. State was both. It was 2nd at the State 33. Adams looks to his right only to see Byron Marshall streaking towards the end zone, wide open. An easy TD, one he's made hundreds of times. He misses him. He overthrows it. Incomplete.
He wouldn't get another chance. This time State calls for the blitz. Lawrence Thomas and Chris Frey burst through the middle and sack!!
The Ducks lose 10 yards. It's 4th down one more time. One final time for the defense to shine. Adams pass falls harmlessly to the ground.
He wouldn't get another chance. This time State calls for the blitz. Lawrence Thomas and Chris Frey burst through the middle and sack!!
The Ducks lose 10 yards. It's 4th down one more time. One final time for the defense to shine. Adams pass falls harmlessly to the ground.

With the game on the line the defense came through. It's what MSU is known for. The legend continues to grow. It's the defense that has carried Dantonio to this rarified atmosphere - a top 5 ranking again. And again.
If they make it to the playoffs, this will be the game that gets them there. Sure there is Ohio State left. A win in the Shoe and it's automatic. A loss? Well, State will argue their case.
And this game will be at the top of the resume. Could they get upset between now and Nov 14th? Anything is possible.
But Dantonio has MSU focused every week. He doesn't allow upsets. Since Nov 12th 2012 State has gone 28-3. The three losses were against Notre Dame with some highly suspect reffing, a road game against Oregon where they had the lead late into the third quarter and to OSU in a revenge game for the eventual national champions. Upset? I wouldn't count on it Buckeye fans. Nor you Wolverine backers. State and the Bucknuts are on track for a monster game in November.
Chris and I closed down the party by watching the end of the LSU Mississippi State game. Not a word was said about the November matchup. None was needed. We knew what will be at stake. Plenty of time to get pumped.
If they make it to the playoffs, this will be the game that gets them there. Sure there is Ohio State left. A win in the Shoe and it's automatic. A loss? Well, State will argue their case.
And this game will be at the top of the resume. Could they get upset between now and Nov 14th? Anything is possible.
But Dantonio has MSU focused every week. He doesn't allow upsets. Since Nov 12th 2012 State has gone 28-3. The three losses were against Notre Dame with some highly suspect reffing, a road game against Oregon where they had the lead late into the third quarter and to OSU in a revenge game for the eventual national champions. Upset? I wouldn't count on it Buckeye fans. Nor you Wolverine backers. State and the Bucknuts are on track for a monster game in November.
Chris and I closed down the party by watching the end of the LSU Mississippi State game. Not a word was said about the November matchup. None was needed. We knew what will be at stake. Plenty of time to get pumped.

It was a fantastic ending to a great day. It started out when I took the youn'uns to Six Flags. Mrs. Doofus tried to convince me that I agreed to go. I don't remember a thing. Seems like I would have remembered something like that on a football Saturday. But, since it was a charity event the price was to my liking - free. That, and with the assurance that we would be back in time to join Ellis and the gang on his deck - off I went.
I left my cell phone in the car. I didn't want to lose it on some roller coaster. The kids were having a grand old time - smiling from ear to ear. Now back in the day, I used to love going on twisty, spinny upside down rides. The twistier, the spinnier the better. No more. One ride on the tea cups and I was nauseous. When the kids hit the carousel - they went on the horses going up and down. Me? I'm on the sleigh. But we still managed to have a grand ol time.
And it was probably for the best that I left the cell phone in the car because if I had followed the games, not only would I have been nauseous, I would have been catatonic. My picks, while I was away form the TV, were an absolute disaster. By the time the 3:30 games were done I was 3-18 against the spread. It was beyond pathetic. It was getting comical. Underdogs were getting demolished. Favorites were either losing outright or squeezing out a win. Home teams? Road teams? It didn't matter. They were all losing ATS. I don'r care how hard you try you couldn't go 3-18. And I wasn't trying.
With picks like that, the Mega Bets went 0-3 starting with:
Oregon State +14.5 @ Michigan - It was the home opener for Harbaugh. the Messiah was back in town. The fans were frothing. Will he jump and touch the Go Blue banner? Nope, guess he was afraid the khakis would fall down to his knees. Look, he's wearing a blue hat with a block M - Just like Bo! He's got a watch with a block M - Just like Bo. Harbaugh maniia was in full swing. It would be pathetic if I cared. I didn't care.
I knew this would be a low scoring game. What I didn't count on was that Michigan would be doing all the scoring. The day started out like the night game would 8 hours later. The visiting team from Oregon took the opening drive on a long drive to the house. The Beavers took an early 7-0 lead.
Harbaugh's team gets the ball and promptly fumbles. All right - this is starting off pretty damn good. But Oregon State is a young team and not quite ready for prime time. they fumble the ball right back. Michigan makes them pay by kicking a FG. 7-3 OSU. The melt down was just starting.
It went into full swing when late in the second quarter when OSU gets to the Michigan 39, 4th and 3. At this point they are trailing 10-7. The smart play would be to go for it. The safe play would be to try a FG. The Beavers elect the dumb play. They punt. They didn't even get that right. The snap sails high over the punter's head -all the way to the OSU 3. Three plays later it 17-7. The rout was on. OSU never recovered.
When it was all said and done, Michigan routed Oregon State 35-7. Harbaugh mania lives for another week. LOSS
I left my cell phone in the car. I didn't want to lose it on some roller coaster. The kids were having a grand old time - smiling from ear to ear. Now back in the day, I used to love going on twisty, spinny upside down rides. The twistier, the spinnier the better. No more. One ride on the tea cups and I was nauseous. When the kids hit the carousel - they went on the horses going up and down. Me? I'm on the sleigh. But we still managed to have a grand ol time.
And it was probably for the best that I left the cell phone in the car because if I had followed the games, not only would I have been nauseous, I would have been catatonic. My picks, while I was away form the TV, were an absolute disaster. By the time the 3:30 games were done I was 3-18 against the spread. It was beyond pathetic. It was getting comical. Underdogs were getting demolished. Favorites were either losing outright or squeezing out a win. Home teams? Road teams? It didn't matter. They were all losing ATS. I don'r care how hard you try you couldn't go 3-18. And I wasn't trying.
With picks like that, the Mega Bets went 0-3 starting with:
Oregon State +14.5 @ Michigan - It was the home opener for Harbaugh. the Messiah was back in town. The fans were frothing. Will he jump and touch the Go Blue banner? Nope, guess he was afraid the khakis would fall down to his knees. Look, he's wearing a blue hat with a block M - Just like Bo! He's got a watch with a block M - Just like Bo. Harbaugh maniia was in full swing. It would be pathetic if I cared. I didn't care.
I knew this would be a low scoring game. What I didn't count on was that Michigan would be doing all the scoring. The day started out like the night game would 8 hours later. The visiting team from Oregon took the opening drive on a long drive to the house. The Beavers took an early 7-0 lead.
Harbaugh's team gets the ball and promptly fumbles. All right - this is starting off pretty damn good. But Oregon State is a young team and not quite ready for prime time. they fumble the ball right back. Michigan makes them pay by kicking a FG. 7-3 OSU. The melt down was just starting.
It went into full swing when late in the second quarter when OSU gets to the Michigan 39, 4th and 3. At this point they are trailing 10-7. The smart play would be to go for it. The safe play would be to try a FG. The Beavers elect the dumb play. They punt. They didn't even get that right. The snap sails high over the punter's head -all the way to the OSU 3. Three plays later it 17-7. The rout was on. OSU never recovered.
When it was all said and done, Michigan routed Oregon State 35-7. Harbaugh mania lives for another week. LOSS

Louisville -13.5 vs Houston - If a road dog can't cover, maybe a home favorite can. Nope. Maye I over estimated Louisville based on their performance against Auburn because Auburn barely escaped a nondescript Div 1AA team in Jacksonville State. I'd hate to be at practice this week in Auburn. It's going to be brutal.
This was an exciting back and forth game. Not exactly what you want when laying 2 TDs. Great for the TV rating, tough on the wallet. Houston got progressively better as the game went on. By the fourth quarter came around, they were on fire scoring 17 points to win 34-31. Four turnovers by Louisville didn't help LOSS
Minnesota -5.0 @ Colorado State - How about a road favorite. Maybe that will work. Nope again. I got home in time to catch the tail end of this game, CSU was driving for a tying FG. Something I was rooting for them to do. If the missed, Minnesota would win by 3 - not enough to cover. The things you root for when playing the spread.
CSU hits the 37 yarder. Its good. nice. Now Gophers - score a TD to win it in OT
The Rams get the ball first and fumble! First play of OT and CSU turns it over. All Right! Now get the TD Minnesota.
The Gophers get it to the CSU 2 first and goal. I'm pumped. Maybe I'll get my first Mega Bet win of the year.
First down - they get stoned. Second and goal at the 2. They get a yard. 3rd and goal at the one - HC Jerry Kill brings out the FG unit. Oh Noooooo!!. He's going the safe rout. Now I'm rooting for a miss.
Nope. Minnesota hits the chip shot to win 23-20 LOSS
The picks did get better when I started watching the games from the beginning. After the 3:30 games I went 16-14 but the damage was done. I went 19-32 ATS. Awful
But worth every minute