It was the Spartans of Michigan State over the Purdue Boilermakers 40-37 in West Lafayette this Saturday. Go Green!
This one was important for both teams. MSU needed one win from their last two games to become bowl eligible, and Purdue needed to win both of it’s final two games to achieve the same. Beyond the pressure of the post season, these are two good clubs that match-up very well and both are seemingly better than their records indicate.
What a way to start the game… On the first play of the game, Purdue fumbles and MSU’s Chris L. Rucker recovers and runs it in for a TD. Granted, we only had that lead for about four minutes, but it was a great way to start the day.
In the third quarter, Brett Swenson kicks not one, but two 52-year field goals. Wow.
Watching the game, Purdue really controlled the ball. TOP was 40-minutes for Purdue versus 20-minutes for MSU. Purdue had 28 first downs 12 for MSU. Purdue converted 14-22 third downs compared to 2-10 for MSU. Even total offensive yards: Purdue had 524 compared to 362 for MSU. But in the end, the Spartans made the big plays and took home the win.
The Spartans are 6-5 overall, and 4-3 in the Big Ten. Penn State next week in East Lansing for the Land Grant Trophy.
A good day for MSU, but not so much for Michigan or Notre Dame.
Wisconsin dominated UofM Saturday winning 45-24. Granted, the Badgers are ranked #20 overall and are #4 in the Big Ten, but to lose by three TDs must be quite a blow to the Wolverines. Ouch. Michigan is 5-6 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten. They will have to beat #11 Ohio State next week to become bowl eligible, but that’s likely to happen. But then again, the UofM-OSU game is an emotionally-charged rivalry game, so anything can happen. RichRod could use the win, that’s for sure. His club is setting records though, like losing six straight Big Ten games for the first time since 1958-1959.
Pitt took the fight out of the Fighting Irish with a 27-22 win. Again, Pitt is a very good team ranked #12 overall and #2 in the Big East. The fact that Charlie Weis can’t seem to beat ranked teams meant this was going to be an uphill battle. And it was. And they didn’t quite make it to the top of the hill. The chatter about Coach Weis getting sacked after this season continues to grow, and with good reason: He can’t get it done. Charlie’s stats are no better than the previous two ND coaches, both of whom were fired. He started strong with the previous regime’s players, but has failed spark greatness with his own recruits. Even with amazing players like Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen. But you know what? My gut says ND gives him one more season. I certainly hope not, but I’m thinking they throw him one more year. Just enough rope, I hope.
