My name is Alex and I am the lead editor for a website called spartanavenue.com, a michigan state sports website. I am conducting a little bit of fun research for an article I'm writing.

In the comments section below, if you could list what rivalry you feel is the best in college sports in terms of most hatred towards each other, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

I will be post a link to the article when I publish it likely sometime next week.

My name is Alex and I am the lead editor for a website called spartanavenue.com, a michigan state sports website. I am conducting a little bit of fun research for an article I'm writing.

In the comments section below, if you could list what rivalry you feel is the best in college sports in terms of most hatred towards each other, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

I will be post a link to the article when I publish it likely sometime next week.

Original Article can be found on Spartanavenue.com

http://spartanavenue.com/2011/06/18/edwin-baker-the-best-running-back-in-the-b1g-ten/

In a recent series, ESPN Big Ten writers Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett ranked their top rushing offenses and top running backs in the Big Ten. The top 5 rushing offenses for the 2011 season are as follows: 1) Wisconsin 2) Michigan State 3) Ohio State 4) Nebraska 5) Penn State. Now I don’t hold any beef with these rankings as units, partially because Wisconsin always has had one of the best offensive lines in the nation under head coach Bret Bielema. The way I look at it, in Wisconsin there are three things that matter: Beer, a good offensive line, and cheese (In that order.)

After all, while Wisconsin loses John Moffitt and Gabe Carimi, two of the best linemen in the country as well as Bill Nagy, their returning roster features young up and coming studs in players like Ricky Wagner, Peter Konz and Josh Oglesby (Assuming he is healthy). This, in addition to a slew of great No. 2’s who will constantly be pushing for the starting job. All this while, Michigan State’s biggest question mark of the upcoming season is its offensive line

Listen to me, I sound like a Badger and now I’m getting off topic.

The real reason I wrote this is because for the first time since reading his articles over at ESPN, I disagree with Adam Rittenberg. I assure you this is once in a blue moon and I mean no disrespect for Mr. Rittenberg, but I simply don’t see eye to eye with him on this one subject matter.

You see, in Adam’s running back rankings he has Edwin Baker listed as the number 2 back in the Big Ten. Believe me, as a Michigan State football fan, I am sadly content with number 2, usually. But not this time! Here are the full rankings from the article:

1. James White
2. Edwin Baker
3. Monte Ball
4. Dan Herron
5. Rex Burkhead
6. Marcus Coker
7. Ralph Bolden
8. Silas Redd
9. Le’Veon Bell
10. Jason Ford

So there you have it, Edwin Baker is the number 2 running back for the upcoming 2011 season. Now, here is why in my (very biased Michigan State writer’s) opinion: Adam Rittenberg is wrong.

Let’s start by comparing to two backs statistically:

The two backs have pretty similar statistics. The major difference that stands out is the yards per carry, which Adam Rittenberg does not fail to mention. “He (White) finished fourth among Big Ten running backs in rush yards but averaged nearly a yard per carry more than any of them.”

These stats, however, are only the tip of the iceberg. There are much deeper reasons as to why one back may be favored above the other and it’s time for us to get to the bottom of this! Ready Blue? (That was a pathetic attempt at a humorous Blue’s Clues reference. *Sigh*)

In his analysis of Edwin Baker, Adam Rittenberg states “The main challenge for Baker is to record big rushing performances against elite defenses.” I would absolutely agree that if Baker wants to solidify himself as an elite Big Ten running back he will have to “show up” to bigger games; however, I would also note that James White had a similar problem through out the 2010 season that Rittenberg fails to point out. Let’s look at each player’s big/low games of the year, shall we?

Edwin Baker’s best games included 117 yards against Western Michigan, 183 vs. Florida Atlantic, 147 @ Michigan, 179 vs. Minnesota, 118 @ Penn State, 90 vs. Notre Dame, and 87 vs. Wisconsin. While Baker’s worst games included a 23 yard performance vs. Illinois, 21 yards @ Iowa, and 14 yards vs. Alabama in the Capital One Bowl.

Looking at those numbers tells us that arguably his best game of the season was against a decent defense at Penn State. On the other hand, two of Baker’s worst performances came in the same games as Michigan State’s only two losses. Obviously, it is clear Baker failed to produce against truly superior opponents.

Let’s take a look at James White now.

His best games were 145 yards vs. Austin Peay, 118 vs. Minnesota, 144 vs. Indiana, 181 @ Michigan, 134 vs. Northwestern, and 98 yards @ Michigan State. While his worst games were 10 yards @ Iowa, 25 vs. San Jose State, 40 @ Arizona State, 59 vs. UNLV, and 23 yards in the Rose Bowl vs. TCU.

While White was able to completely destroy the average competition in a similar fashion to Baker, his worst games came against opponents who were clearly inferior to Wisconsin (Note: White did not play in the Purdue game). So while Baker failed to show up against superior opponents, I would argue that White failed to show up to inferior opponents (Exception: TCU) as well as some superior opponents.

Now you might say “Well Alex, just look at the yards per carry! That tells it all! Uh durr.”

Well, yes and no. While 6.7 yards per carry is an impressive stat for any back, James White had an incredible offensive line to create holes for him. John Moffit, Gabe Carimi, and that Wisconsin O-line made holes that I could have run through for 6 yards. Edwin Baker had the support of a very mediocre offensive line that was no doubt at its worst towards the end of the season when the Spartans had to face off with opponents like Iowa and Alabama.

In addition, when you look at White’s stats vs. AP ranked teams they drop dramatically. He averages 5.0 ypc vs. AP ranked teams; and here is an interesting tidbit for you: When the Badgers were winning by more than 22 points, White’s YPC was 8.7 yards. This was likely late in the games when that notorious Bielema was running up the score against opposing teams’ second team defenses. If you look further, there is a direct correlation between how much Wisconsin led by, and White’s YPC.

So not only did White’s production drop against superior opponents, his production dropped depending on how close the game was! Baker, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. When Michigan State was only leading by 1-7 points, Baker averaged an incredible 10.8 yards per carry!

Now let’s just compare the two backs’ physical attributes. ESPN lists Baker at 5’ 9” and 208 lbs and they list White at 5’10” and 198 lbs. At first glance you might go “Well I’d prefer to have White on my team. Ten pounds less could translate to an extra half step on defenders!” Well that is simply incorrect. NFLDraftScout.com lists Baker’s low 40 time at 4.42, his high time at 4.63, and his accepted time at 4.52. White’s low is 4.42, his high is 4.65, and his accepted is coincidentally 4.52 seconds.

Now based off that information, you have two running backs with very comparable speed and one is 10 pounds heavier. What team wouldn’t want the back that has an extra 10 pounds of muscle to run over defenders with, without sacrificing any of the quickness?

Please don’t take this as a knock against Wisconsin’s rushing game as a whole. I think it’s tremendous, and an offensive line of that caliber cannot be excluded from the conversation of “Best Rushing Game.” However, it can be excluded when we are talking about the individual talents of the backs themselves. Any running back’s true abilities can be magnified with the help of a good offensive line.

I know I am nit picking, it’s just one spot on Adam Rittenberg’s list; but hey, it’s a slow offseason for the Spartans and I had to spice it up somehow.

someone had to do this at some point. it was just way too easy to make these. and thus i present to you... the tate forcier meme! hope you get a few lolz

hope everyone got a few lolz from this. i know i did when i made em. i strongly encourage everyone to go and make your own. if you do chose to make your own hilarious tate forcier meme, heres the website: http://www.quickmeme.com/

i will be in orlando for the game with a few buddies and i am looking somewhere fun to go for new years. unfortunately i am under 21.... sighhhh. oh well. whats good?

i have heard of (ithink it was called) church street or winter park? also i was considering epcott because we will be close but that may be a little too family friendly.

i could use a little help if possible. i dont know the area. anybody?

Me and some buddies are students at MSU and are drivin down to Orlando for the game. Already bought our tickets and everything.i need a good idea for a sign to make. i was thinking something about mcelroy's sister. (look her up, she is smokin hot) very open to suggestions

also, none of us have been to orlando since the days when disney world was the thing to do! so now we just gotta find out what to do on friday and saturday night! any help?

If any of you follow our "Little Sister" site maizeandbrew, they have written a series of articles about which players from their oppenent's teams they should hate. And yea... its as arrogant and vain as it sounds. So who do the writers hate from MSU? Who else but Greg Jones! their rationale for it? Because he is an All American and a Spartan.

Heres the quote:

I don't think I need to belabor this point too much. He's a Spartan. He's an All-American. He's All-Big Ten. He's a pain in the ass.

Let me put it this way, Michigan State hasn't won three straight games against Michigan since 1965-1967. Lyndon B. Johnson was President. This must stop now.

heres the article:

http://www.maizenbrew.com/2010/7/8/1557422/your-hate-makes-you-strong-players

Jeez.... Do other people find this kind of attitude in most Michigan fans? Or is it just all of my friends in Ann Arbor?

It may just be my green and white prejudices leaking into my writing, but does Mr Cousins seem to be undervalued by the good men who determine quarterback value?  His numbers speak for themselves as he sits, essentially, atop the Big Ten in passer efficiency. His name fails to appear on the preseasonDavey O'Brian watch list as well as the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. And while preseason awards mean very little in the long run, they do tell fans like us which players to watch this upcoming season. I dont know about you but i would much rather watch a player like Kirk Cousins on a loaded offense then Ben Chappell.

Is this kind of thinking irrational or am i crazy here?

As I sit here skimming articles written for the website there is one that particularly caught my interest entitled "10 Questions for MSU basketball". That being said i decided to take it upon myself to write a similar article for the upcoming football season. After deliberation with my roommate we came up with these 10 questions:

1. Will the secondary be able to hold against opposing teams' air attacks?
2. How will the loss of a few key OL players affect out game?
3. Will we really have ANY kicking game outside of  Aaron Bates?
4. Where can Greg Jones improve his game? 
5. Which running back (If any) will emerge as the top back?
6. How will we address the loss of Blair White?
7. How will distractions affect the team?
8. What player is looking to have a nationally noticed break out season?
9. Which big ten team do you see causing Kirk Cousins any difficulty?
10. Which games are must wins and overall prediction.

1. I see this as MSU's biggest problem in the upcoming season as does anyone who watches Michigan State Football. Last year was not pretty on its own with MSU ranking at the bottom of the big ten (and the country) in passing yards given up. Losing players like Fortener and Ware did not help either. But i honestly see us only being able to improve from here. So best of luck i suppose...
2. I am comfortable with most of the offensive line actually. The spots i am mildly concerned with are RG and LT. The loss of Rocco Cironi and Brendan Moss at LT suddenly leave the position for John Deyo and DJ Young. (I bet you don't know much about them either) On the 2010 depth chart we have Chris MacDonald (soph) listed at the top and Antonio Jeremiah (red shirted JR) behind him. I have not watched either play too much but i can tell you that AJ outweighs MacDonald by a whopping 65 lbs. That is not a tiny difference...
3. Brett Swenson has got some pretty big shoes to fill. Literally and figuratively.  His possible replacements? Kevin Muma and Dan Conroy... oh my.  While watching the spring game this year it became clear that the field goals will drop drastically this season as Dan Conroy was 1 for 2, making a 31 yard kick and missing a 35 yarder. While Kevin Muma made his lone attempt from 19 yards out.
4. The biggest area that the All American can improve upon in his game is his pass defense. IF a team dare run the ball, you can be rest assured Mr. Jones will be from sideline to sideline before you can say "Greg Jones, WHO?" But alas, he has some issues with falling for fakes and overcompensating. At times he can even seem lackadaisical. Improving upon these areas will not only result in a better season but also a higher draft stock for next year.
5. Jeez this is a tough question. Larry Caper and Edwin Baker are the two returning starters while Nick Hill and Le'Veon Bell are the two incoming freshmen with incredible potential. Watching Edwin Baker's speed always amazes me and supposedly Nick Hill has got the moves and quickness to be a true performer. This should really be an exciting battle between the four but i find it hard to pick one at the moment.
6. This one is surprisingly easy to answer! The depth of the Spartans at WR and TE is probably top 5 in the country. The list includes Keyshawn Martin, Keith Nicol and Charlie Gantt starting. And players like BJ Cunningham and Mark Dell coming off the bench? Scary... I like to look at Nicol as a slightly underdeveloped version of White. Big, strong, possession receiver. And I look at Keyshawn Martin as the explosive, quick, big play maker. Should be very fun to watch these guys play.
7. I really do not see anything from the rather hall incident having too much of a negative effect. The men who seemed to cause the most damage (mainly Glenn Winston) are gone. With Mark Dantonio's seemingly "hard ass" football philosophy, the only way I see this issue being brought up is if the Spartans make it to a national stage and the media brings it back. Otherwise I see nothing but clear skies ahead.
8. I see essentially two players other than Greg Jones who are eager to make a name for themselves. The first has already begun to get national recognition: Keyshawn Martin. With his explosive quickness he is looking to get noticed as one of the nations top kick returners. The second player is Kirk Cousins, who has failed to get proper credit despite putting up fantastic numbers in the Big Ten. With all the weapons at his disposal this season I find it hard to believe the media will be able to ignore him any longer.
9. The biggest problem facing Kirk Cousins this year is the Iowa Hawkeyes. A big, hard hitting defense with a strong secondary may create problems in his decision making as well as his ability to get comfortable in the pocket.
10. I hate to sound optimistic about Spartan Football because it makes me feel a tad uncomfortable, but i see the boys in green going 8-4 and possibly even 9-3!!! Do i think 9-3 will happen? Doubtful, but i would not rule it out immediately. Absolute worst case scenario is 6-6, but I have a hard time imagining that. I think out losses will come from: @Iowa, @Penn State, Wis (home) and then one other very tough loss whether it be @NW or dare i say @Mich. The must wins this year in order for a successful MSU season are the 2 losses i previously mentioned. Both are very winnable and i have a hard time picturing myself enjoying the season without a W coming out of Ann Arbor.