Today the Crew over Brew is: Alfie (Mike), Opie, Gav and Andy. On the discussion board is: Hawkeyes and scUM.  SpartyMSU Crew does not Drink and Drive...  We always call a cab, a wife, daughter, Big Daddy Taxi,  some one to pick us up if we have had too much..

Stay Alive... Don't Drink and Drive......That being said, Mike's turn to buy....

Iowa  (2006 record: 6 - 7, 2 - 6 in Big Ten)
Final Analysis: Spartys 17, Iowa 37

I don't think this loss will have anything to do with the visitor's locker rooms being painted pink... I am worried about injuries that have mounted up. As Coach Dantonio said early on, they have the passion and play with purpose, but, he may not have enough horses in the stalls yet. Depth will be a problem as we head into the last 4 games of the season.  And frankly, I'd like to have more guys healthy on Nov. 3 than going to Iowa City. The rest of the season depends on the health of the club, and staying focused with Dantonio's disciplined style of play.

Ohh.. bye the way......Like Indiana, who puts these schedules together, how can a team miss both the Bucknuts and scUM in the same year....and  miss them both in 2008...WTF ???  Come on.... WTF ???

I'm making the assumption we're at 75% healthy  (Kind of like the "Health'O meters in the Nintendo games...) At this level, we won't win this contest. And with out a bye week to nurse some injuries, especially looking forward to next week's inter-State contest, it only gets tougher.....Frankly, I wouldn't blame the coaches to sideline a couple key players just to improve small nagging health issues.

Depth is an issue for Iowa,  on both sides of the line, but not as big an issue as it is for the Spartans. Even though they have a couple very good receivers Brodell and Douglas, I think the Spartys can pressure the new Freshman QB Christensen and keep the ball out of the air. We will then have to contend with a pair of good backs in Sims and Albert Young.

They also have a very good ML, Mike Klinkenborg  (10.8 tackles per game in 2006, 8th nationally) With their weaker "D" Line (if Iwebema and Mitch King are still injured and can't suit up) , if we're healthy, I think we could push Klinken  aside to allow the Javon / Jehuu Show room to run.

But, as a group consensus, we just don't feel we will  healthy enough only after 1 week since playing in the Horse Shoe.  Spartys will play strong with passion and purpose, DNBTU (Brett Swenson) will collect his 57th point, But its an "L" coming out of Iowa City.

After October 27th, we are 6 - 3.......

Its finally here.... We all have hotel rooms in E.L. It's a consensus, We Want this one more than any other game this year. Yeah... Some may say its shallow, but, in reality, it's a requirement to support the resurrection of the program.  It is a long road back to national significance....  The Spartys will play harder than they have played all year today.  We haven't beat scuM since 2001........ The EnlightenedSpartan.com has a link to the 2001 ABC video replay of Jeff Smoker's pass ( http://enlightened spartan.com/other/ncf_011103msu3v.avi) . Great Video... !!

The count down clock in the locker room is a little much, but it does put focus where its needed. Each of the last 4 years, we could have beaten scUM, but, but chose self-implosion instead. It was hard watching the OT games of 2004 and 05....and last year was just an abomination..... Its just been hard being a Spartan....... Since 1970, we have only won 8 games against scUM (in 36 years...!!!!). This contest is an important focus for the rebuilding of MSU football tradition and integrity. The new AD (John Lewandowski) and Dantonio must rebuild the instate rivalry back to where its at least winning >50% time, from a current level of only 20%.

This was an unfortunate sobering discussion for the SpartyMSU Crew... Damn... Hate it when that happens..... We have all been reading and hearing from ESPN and other sources the hype surrounding scUM to possibly vie for the National Championship... .......Not if we can help it.......

Keys to the game: Flawless Focused Football, with Passion, Purpose and Pride...!!!   This would be new in 2007 for the Spartans....

The Spartans have to match Mario Manningham's ability with Otis Wiely, & Warrick. Spoke to a friend of Otis, Mr. Brian Mathews, Brian is convinced that Otis will be able to handle Manningham.

 The Offensive line of scUM is solid. Anchored by Jake Long and Adam Kraus. Together with Henne, Hart, they are 0 - 3 in Bowl games and wins against OSU.. and this won't be the year they see either one of those .....   If there is a weakness, its at LB, and the "D" line. The only retuning starter on "D" line is Terrance Taylor Nose Tackle.

John Masters and Crew... Keep Hoyer upright with time to let plays develop and pass effectively.   Terry Love, T.J Williams and Kellen David have to bump and run to shake off the Safeties Charles Stewart and Co. .... Sparties need ball magnets in their gloves to pull it done and make some significant Sparty gains....No Dumb drops... You got it... you hold on to it....

SirDarean and Kaleb have to keep the ball out of the flats and keep Hart form squirting loose. These guys are the Net... We believe they can do it, there the Ervin and "Special K" of their Day.....

Exploiting the rebuilt Wolverweenie"D" with solid disciplined play, we should be able to pop the Backs out.  Jehuu, Javon and A.J. must share time to keep everyone fresh.  Beast Holms will be needed to block, and create his own yardage.

Tod Boleski must accurately keep the Ball on the Zero yard line, or just inside the end zone, give our Special Teams time to pop the ball loose, or allow them to pin them behind the 20.

DNBTU (Dead Nuts Between the Up Rights) Brett Swenson has to be accurate with in 45, we will need his contributions if we stall in the red zone.... Rivas is gone from AA, new kicker is Bryan Wright.. hes' a little weak... Should miss a couple..... Swenson, be our Jeff Lerg !!

Its nothing that they haven't practiced for all year.. same plays.. same coverages.. just today... its more important to many of the Alumni, Fans, staff, and students... Launch the Resurrection!......Pride, Passion and Purpose.... Must play a almost flawless game...Everyone that shuttles in... must make plays... No stupid / Not thinking penalties John L. put up with......

Chalk up a  BIG "W" for Sparty... Is it our hearts...or our heads   Convincing us ??

.. After Nov. 3  we are 7- 3... But.. the rest of the season is really in doubt..... As far as the Sparty MSU Crew is concerned.... Fine...yup.. that's ok.....

Mike.. Get us another round.. this was a waaaaayyyy to serious a discussion ....... Next week we gotta lighten it up a bit.... It is Purdue... Now that's much lighter....

Sparty On !!!!!!!!!!