Preview - Spartans 2009 Game 4: Wisconsin

SpartyMSU is starting our Early look at each Spartan Game...
and how the Spartans will March to 12 - 1 in 2009



Wisconsin
September 26, Noon EST: in Madison (Mad-Town..)

The Big Ten season begins…

What do we know about Wisconsin, they like Cheese.. They produce a bunch of it and  they have the second best fight song in the Big Ten.. “On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Stand up, Badgers, sing! ““On, Wisconsin! On, Wisconsin! Stand up, Badgers, sing! “  (second to the Spartan’s Falcone Flight)…

In an unofficial Poll of the Big Ten Bloggers.. A Road trip to Madison was suggested as the best one to go to this year (Besides East Lansing)..  So, SpartyMSU is heeding the advice and planning to go to Mad-Town to support the Spartan Victory…. Comments were very positive on the Bar atmosphere Tailgates and Hotels

On to Football... The best way to help make sense of their team is to liken it to their State's best known product: Cheese….

Last year the Spartans beat the Badgers in a close contest.. Though the Spartans played well, the Badgers and Wisconsin Coaches sort of beat themselves…  25 – 24.. yeah.. that close....    This year traveling to Mad-Town and Camp Randall (which is never an easy place to play),  with the issues on the Badger team this year, it’ll be a little bit better for the Spartans…



Their 2009 schedule is not so difficult.... Liken it to a Munster.. Semi-soft, mild cheese, with a Red / Orange rind on the outside (Making it look harder than it is…) yet soft inside.. Michigan State and Ohio State at Wisconsin, Iowa is away.. Everyone else is so-so this year.. not such a difficult play list.. And they end the regular season in Hawaii on Dec. 5.. Not a bad plan if you like vacations.. Kind of soft is you have any inclination of SoS….

Things that are clear for the Badgers: RB John Clay (Soph., 6’-2”, 247).  He is the best player on their team.. Last year was slotted behind Standout P.J. Hill, Plus,  was injured and still gained 884.
Things that are suspect: QB.. QB.. and QB… Last year they were inconsistent and questionable.. this year.. Dustin Sherer is back. But could probably get replaced by Freshman Curt Phillips.

Ok, so lets put this in prospective…



Last year you had Brie at QB: Soft, creamy and easily digested with Dustin and Evridge. Last year Sherer  started behind Allan Evridge and went 4 – 3, with a 54% comp. rate. This year the QB is more like Swiss: a little firmer, but dependent upon age, still has holes.  Maybe the young Freshman will add a little Colby to the mix and make the team a little  firmer, more reliable but still easily shredded. In any case, the QB, isn't exactly your Firm Parmesan.

Speaking of Parmesan, that’s RB Clay. Firm, hard, Sharp and Salty and only Improves with age. Heck, this guys only a Soph.. Next year possibly a Romano ?? He will be a load to stop all year.. hope he can take care of the ankle he injured. Note: He had 5.7 yrds per carry last year in 155 attempts….



The only way theses Cheeses, errr.. Badgers will make any head way this year is with their “O” Line. As with all teams, the point production lives and dies by the “O” line.  OT Soph.  John Oglesby (6’7”, 329) will be key. OT Gabe Carimi  (6’8”, 313), C John Moffitt (6’4”, 320), LG Jake Bschere (6’7,315), Bill Nagy (6’4”, 310)…  Last year there was poor pass protection.. couldn't give Sherer or Allan much time in the pocket, this year they will improve somewhat.. but they still are a young group, not a senior in the bunch, but more importantly.. Who is the back ups… ??  Though they seem to be firm, they could crumble if the injury bug hits..  That’s why I gotta say the “O” line is a Good’ol Wisconsin Blue.  It’s a combo of Firm / Hard or Soft / Mild.  The interior ripens with age to be tangy and improved texture.…. Initially they will be Firm and Hard, but, if they are hit with injuries, I think they’ll turn into the more soft/mild, crumbly herb flavored Blue.

If given the time they do have some good receivers… no question. They can give the Spartan secondary a good game.  But with the Spartan “D” being so talented, don’t think it will be too difficult to stay with the ball catchers as Provolone.  Garrett Graham and David Gilreath a very talented in deed.

On to the Badger “D”: Edam…      Semi-soft to Hard. A firm yet crumbly texture with a nutty finish..
Tackling in 2008.. Not so much..  They ranked 11th in the Big Ten in Red Zone “D”.  This year only 1 returning starters on the Front 7.  Big Question mark as to how these guys will perform.  Sr. DE O’Brien Schofield is the only returning starter .. But now for the New Kids on the Block: DE (Former CMU Chip !!) JJ Watt, Jeff Stehle, Dan Moore, and Pat Butrym leaves everyone wondering … It’s a big Question mark, at this point (Pre-season) they are definitely semi-soft.



LBs and secondary will be decent.. The Spartan receiving corps will have to get space.. Theses guys are Asiago of the Defense.  Sharp, Firm, can be grated or chucked, but is solid.   I Beleive the talent diffrence is enough for the Spartans to make some big plays...

It all comes down to QB play.. The Swiss..  How many holes will it have, and how soft (unpredictable) they will be..

They Spartans will have issues with Wisconsin its not a Cake or Cheese walk…, but should beat them this year at Camp Randall. Michigan State will enjoy the Victory and a Badger Grilled Cheese Sandwich while headed back home to East Lansing.

Wisconsin          15
Michigan State     28

Sparty ON !!!