Michigan St - Nebraska

brijames · Dec 28, 2003

MSU has done wonderfully rebounding from what was a disastrous 2002 season in which the program nearly hit rock bottom.
First year coach John L. Smith has done a great job getting this team to compete hard, and basically play over their heads this year.
They struggled this year against the big boys in the Big Ten, losing to Michigan, Ohio St, and Wisconsin, but took care of buisness against the rest
This teams strength is throwing the ball. QB Jeff Smoker is very accurate when given the time. They only run the ball to set up the pass. They lack the big powerful back that John L. Smith likes to have in this offense.
They really don't have any outstanding recievers, they do it mostly by committee.
On defense they definately have some weaknesses which their offense has been able to overcome except against the big power teams. Their D-line is quick but small and they have no depth. Their Db's have struggled against big physical recievers.
I expect Nebraska to be able to move the ball on the ground. I think they will wear the Spartan D down eventually.
On the other side I expect Smoker to throw the ball a lot. They don't throw the ball deep but rather short ball control routes.
My play here is the over 50.5.

brijames · Dec 28, 2003

A litle more info on the Alamo Bowl. It seems the two teams were involved in some very heated verbal exchanges at a dinner function last night. No punches were thrown but security was called in to break up the confrontation.
I guess the Spartans were the ones to start the verbal attack. Word is there is some real bad feelings between these two. The Spartans got themselves into some trouble with their mouths earlier this year when DE Greg Taplin mouthed off the week of the Michigan game.
Not that this info should influence any of you with your wagering, just wanted to report it and i look for both teams to be really jacked for this one.

hansenbros. · Dec 28, 2003

thanks for the relevant info!

gl

Co-Captain · Dec 29, 2003

Aloha brijames, thanks for the information, especially that on the relationship between the two. You have told me that you are a Mich St, fan and that you also a season ticket holder. I want to thank you for sharing your honest perspective of your team as you see it. This info is important for most of us who may not have a grip on what is really going on in your part of town. Thanks for providing information which is what bring value to this forum. Please keep us informed of any new information you may come across. Good Luck with your play and Aloha CC.

brijames · Dec 29, 2003

Some more on the game tonight, perhaps relevent, perhaps not. The Spartans have been hit kind of hard by the flu bug in recent days, 4 of the 5 starting o-linemen have had it. Don't look for a lot of Spartan fans in the house tonight, they only sold just over 5000 of there alloted 10000 tickets. I think it will be a pro Husker crowd as their fans travel very well.
I think Nebraska is being overlooked in this game by some because they are thinking this team is in turmoil with the coaching situation. I actually think the opposite is happening. I look for them to really come out and play hard for Coach Pellini. I think they want him as their coach and want to make a statment on the field tonight. This is a very proud program, and I think people are equating them firing their coach to them having a lousy team. This is not a bad team. This team went 9-3 with 2 of those losses coming to top ten teams, Texas and KSU.
As I stated in an earlier post the Spartans have been an overacheiving bunch this season. Remember folks, this team was pre season picked to finish near or at the bottom of the Big Ten by everyone. For them to even be in this bowl is quite an accomplishment. Most long time Spartan fans would secretly tell you, they are frightened this game could be a Husker blowout.
That may well also be a reason so few Spartan fans made the trip to San Antonio.
For myself this is a very hard game to read. This MSU team has showed me a lot of heart this year, something that was non-exisitent in this program. John L Smith is a great motivator and will have these kids ready to play tonight.
The MSU coaches will admit, this team lacks great overall talent and definately lacks depth. They were all very surprised this team performed as well as it did.
I realize I'm not coming out and making a firm pick on who I see winning this game.
My head says Nebraska will wear the Spartans down and win handily. My heart says the Spartans will play way over their heads again and hang in there till the end and maybe steal it.
Either way my only play as of right now is taking the over 49.
Another play you might look at is the Smoker over/under 39 pass attempts. This is a risky one because of the chance he gets knocked out of the game early, but if he plays the whole game and they are playing from behind he will throw it 50 times. The MSU O-coordinator stated earlier this week if they have to throw it 55 times to win they will do it no problem. Smoker averaged 37 attempts a game this year and had 6 games where he attempted 40 or more passes.