Note from KJ: Let’s keep it clean, fellas.”

Sorry. It actually reads a lot funnier now that you did this. I could have said anything!

Stuff happens. Sometimes you play your worst game for no reason. Just ask OSU vs USC earlier in the year. I actually became a little hopeful after seeing MSU’s last two opponents destroy their opponents this week. But MSU has to keep games close to have a chance against a defense like OSU’s, and once that 1st quarter happened, it was going to be very difficult to come back. Relying solely on run and play action for big pass plays was not going to work against an experienced defense like OSU’s.

Nothing really changes. MSU is still on the inside track for a 9-3 finish, they are just going to have to keep playing hard to get it. Last year this team showed it could get itself together to finish the season after multiple tough losses, so there you go. If they survive the next three weeks, and PSU does a job on OSU, who knows, we’ll light the candle of hope one more time.

Focusing on Beanie Wells didn’t turn out to be the answer, either. At least we won’t face a QB who’s that big of a threat to run until the PSU game. It seemed like we often had guys in position, but Pryor was just so fast and tough to bring down, he could get past them. So I don’t know as it was a system failure.

Cousins looked sharper throwing the ball than I thought, but the blitz and fumble play showed why he hasn’t moved ahead of Hoyer. Even if Cousins is as good of a passer as he looked yesterday, the more situational awareness parts of QBing look like they aren’t quite there yet. He’ll certainly be a good QB to have around going forward.

Note from KJ: Let’s keep it clean, fellas.

The play-action pass will be there all day because OSU will not be afraid to leave their corners on an island. There is a good reason OSU is not afraid to do this, its a small secret (OSU’s corners, especially Malcolm Jenkins, are very good). Ok, so that wasnt much of a secret, but it is true. Hoyer needs to make smart decisions without putting the ball in places where OSU’s DBs can make a play on it.

As in any “Tresselball” game, special teams will be key. This is the first season in a long time that I am actually excited about special teams. However, the coverage units could do a better job, primarily on kick-offs, as they are averaging close to 30 yards per return.

Earlier in the week I posted a comment about something that worries me in this game. I am still irked by thought Tressel is going to unleash Pryor this week. The frosh has not even thrown the ball 20 times in a game yet. I think that changes this week. Coach D will have MSU’s rejuvenated D ready for anything that comes its way and MSU will win.

With around 5 minutes left in the 4th, score 21-14 MSU, MSU’s D will force a punt. Ringer leads a 55 yard drive, sparked by a 30+ gainer, down to OSU’s 30. Swenson kicks the game clincher for his only field goal of the game with 2 minutes remaining.

MSU 24 – 14. Go Green!