Read the opposing arguments from Babe Ruthless and Bleacher Fan.
I imagine all football fans felt empathy for Mark D’Antonio two weeks ago. The decision that gave college football one of its most exciting finishes in quite some time was also responsible for causing a heart attack in the decision maker. When D’Antonio uncharacteristically cut off his post game interview and walked away, the situation felt odd as a viewer. As it turns out, he walked away from that interview, straight to his car where his wife was waiting to take him to the hospital.
Now, it may sound harsh, but in a way that single gusty move – and the momentum it created for the team – is all for naught if the team doesn’t continue winning. A coach suffering a heart attack is a big deal. It’s a formative moment for a team that the players can either rally around and derive inspiration, or it could be such a shock that the team can no longer perform as it needs to.
Right now Michigan State is already exceeding most ambitious expectations. A team with a veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins – who is completing 67 percent of his passes and has shown real ability to engineer comebacks late in games – is usually vital to making a run in conference play. The Spartans have the inspiration and the leadership on the field – thanks to Cousins’ defensive counterpart Greg Lewis – to make an interesting challenge for teams with conference title aspirations.
Aside from Ohio State, the OTHER team that is expected to contend for the Big Ten title is Wisconsin. Bret Bielema is running out of excuses for not winning the Big Ten, as his team in 2010 is both deep and healthy for the first time… maybe EVER in his tenure as coach. In 2009 the team was too young. In the previous seasons it wasn’t deep enough. Now is the time for Bielema. The fans and the media have removed any possible excuses for him.
That’s the subtext.
The superficial stuff – the actual GAME – will be very good. As good as Cousins is under center for MSU, the Spartans are a team that thrives on balance on offense. Running backs Edwin Baker (averages 112 yards per game) and Le’Veon Bell (averages 396 yards per game) are a solid tandem with complementary skills. Wisconsin, in contrast to recent seasons, is way down in fifth in the Big Ten on defense against the run. If Michigan State gets out to a lead they have a great chance at closing the game with a strong running game.
As good as Wisconsin has been at running the ball this season – the Badgers are second in the Big Ten – Michigan State might just be up to the task of stopping the run at fourth in the league on defense against the run.
Both of these teams are fighting for recognition in the Big Ten now. Wisconsin used to own the Big Ten in football, but those days are long gone – though Bielema has fond memories and dreams of bringing the glory days back to Madison. That bit of inspiration might just be enough for him to pull off the win on Thursday.
But Michigan State definitely has a leg up in the inspiration department, with coach D’Antonio returning to the Spartans just two weeks removed from a heart attack and heart surgery. Michigan State better win by a lot. No pressure.
