Leelanau Sports Guy’s World

Being the lone Spartan fan in a large extended family of Wolverine fans is tough. It’s never tougher than that one fall afternoon day. Oh some years it’s great, like when Jeff Smoker connected with T.J. Duckett with no time on the clock. It doesn’t get any better than that. Other years it’s rough, like the 49-3 blowout in 2002.

Whoever you cheer for, it’s sure to be fun and I think the Spartans can make a game of it. Here’s three reasons why it could happen:

1. Drew Stanton. Ever since he was healthy enough to be the undisputed #1 the Spartans have looked solid on offense. They are very balanced and will need to be to have any chance to beat the Wolverines. If this turns one dimensional they are in trouble.

2. Improving MSU Defense. They are showing quickness and improved tackling. They will have to contain Hart and the Michigan wideouts. Not an easy task.

3. John L. Smith. He will have something up his sleeve.

Here’s some articles from the Detroit Free Press about the big game.

MSU: Coach admits, ‘This is the biggest game’

U-M: Bragging rights at stake versus Spartans

Go Spartans!

Didn’t get a chance to watch too many games this weekend (Toys-R-Us trip to see a Care Bear on Saturday, and family dinner on Sunday), but some good results for our Detroit and Michigan teams.

Michigan State: Impressive win over Minnesota and all of a sudden their bowl hopes go from slim to a little bit better than slim. It’s too bad that Stanton wasn’t healthy to start the year, the Spartans could be sitting at 6-1 or better right now. Defense looked impressive now a week off to prepare for Michigan.

Michigan: They will never admit it, but maybe some looking ahead to Purdue next week. The freshmen are looking good and the defense gets big stops when needed.

Ohio State: I hate Ohio State and love where they are in the Big Ten right now!

Lions: Ouch! No Roy equals 2003 offense, and we know how bad that was.

Free Press College Hoops Primer
Breakdowns of the state’s top college teams: Michigan, MSU, Central Michigan, Detroit Mercy, Oakland, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan.

Michigan State has it all - Size, depth might bring hardware
Free Press article about Paul Davis and the experience MSU is bringing back for this season.

Don’t forget to check out the College Basketball Blog for some great stuff!

Lions: They always try to make it interesting, but one difference is this season they are holding on for wins. 2-0 on the road is amazing after 3 consecutive years of 0-8 road records. Mooch has them playing solid football and other than penalties they aren’t making many mistakes. Pinner ran the ball well. Here’s the best part, the Lions are still in first place.

Spartans: Drew Stanton is turning out to be something special. Stanton was 21-of-28 for 199 yards and three TDs and rushed for another 37 yards. The Spartans won a game they should win and are keeping their slim bowl hopes alive.

Wolverines: The story was Chad Henne. Henne completed 33 of 49 passes for 328 yards — all records for a true freshman at Michigan — with two touchdowns. Tight end Tyler Ecker scored the game-winner with 1:57 remaining after breaking two tackles. Henne looks like he is going to be something very special for the maize & blue.