No. 8 MSU (7-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) put a stake in the heart of Michigan (3-5 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) by winning 35-11 Saturday at Spartan Stadium.It was a different stake, however, that grabbed the attention of players and coaches before the game.
No. 8 MSU football used a couple of second half scores and stifling defense to roll past Michigan, 35-11, at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. The win was MSU’s sixth in the last seven matchups against U-M, including the Spartan’s fourth straight victory at home against the maize-and-blue.
Bondy’s BetsIt’s rivalry week on the banks of the Red Cedar and that normally means expect the unexpected.
Before head coach Mark Dantonio took over the MSU football program in 2006,, the MSU-Michigan rivalry was one sided. The Wolverines had won nine of the last 11 games against MSU, including a five-game winning streak before Dantonio joined the Spartan sidelines.
Some games can define an entire season, but they usually don’t happen in week seven.Outside the state of Michigan, that is.
Oct. 20, 2012 serves as the only time in the last six years MSU wasn’t hoisting Paul Bunyan after the annual rivalry game with Michigan, and it’s still something players haven’t forgotten about.
Since 1953, the MSU-Michigan game has had more importance than in-state bragging rights and Big Ten implications.The two teams have also been playing for the Paul Bunyan trophy.
With in-state rival Michigan (3-4 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) coming to East Lansing on Saturday, it didn’t look like Tuesday’s media conference was head coach Mark Dantonio’s favorite, with members of the press bombarding him with questions about the oncoming in-state rivalry game.
It’s plain and simple this week — whoever runs the ball more effectively will likely win the game.
By Robert Bondyrbondy@statenews.comNo. 8 MSU flaunted its muscles on Saturday, reeling off 42 unanswered points to beat Indiana, 56-17, from Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind.MSU now turns its focus to Michigan this week, as the Wolverines travel to Spartan Stadium on Saturday.
Bloomington, Ind . — For the first two quarters, the home crowd was alive and No. 8 MSU (6-1 overall, 3-0 Big Ten) was in serious trouble on Saturday against Indiana (3-4 overall, 0-3 Big Ten).
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Saturday served as the perfect trap game for what used to be known as MSU football.No.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- No. 8 MSU had taken a beating from both media and fans during the last two weeks, despite winning both games.
On Saturday afternoon, No. 8 MSU won’t only be playing to remain in the College Football Playoff conversation, but for the Old Brass Spittoon.
By Robert Bondyrbondy@statenews.comFollowing No.
The midpoint of the 2014 college football season has arrived for the Spartans. With head coach Mark Dantonio's 100th game at MSU approaching this weekend against Indiana, football beat writers Robert Bondy and Geoff Preston grade MSU's season thus far.
For MSU junior quarterback Connor Cook, the Hoosier state has more of a connection than just being the enemy on Saturday.
Football head coach Mark Dantonio was at the podium Tuesday to discuss his team’s offensive inefficiency in the fourth quarter, the 100th game for his staff and the addition of recruit Tyriq Thompson to the Spartans.
For a second straight week, No. 8 MSU football (5-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) nearly let a big lead slip away in the final moments of the game. A late turnover preserved the 45-31 win over Purdue, but by no means was it pretty. Here are four takeaways from this week’s MSU victory.