The Top 5 Reasons That Spartans Fans Shouldn’t Panic

Submitted by Paul Mercier on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 19:03

  1. The Big Ten Season has yet to begin. Let’s not forget that the Spartans have not even begun conference play. The Big Ten seems to be down this year, and the Spartans have a favorable conference schedule. A strong Big Ten campaign from the Spartans could rectify the last two big losses.
  2. Mark Dantonio is no clown. In previous years, the Spartans have had a few bozos controlling the reins. Dantonio doesn’t seem to fit that mold. While I don’t agree with everything he has done this year, I still think he will get this team’s collective psyche back in order.
  3. This team is young and improving. We tend to forget that this Spartan team is still very young, and thus, there are bound to be some let downs. However, the Spartans have seemed to improve each week, and I expect that this week will be no different. A few less mistakes and this team is 3-0 heading into conference play.
  4. The offensive line looked good. Notre Dame blitzed the Spartans 63 times in 71 plays. For the math people, that’s nearly 89% of the time! The good stat: no sacks. If the MSU QBs can gain that kind of blocking consistently, this offense will roll.
  5. Kirk Cousins is a gamer. Yes, he made a stupid mistake. Yes, the final play against Notre Dame was heart-breaking. But, Cousins led a beautiful drive to get into that position. In fact, he led some beautiful drives all day. Look for Cousins to continue to be a leader as the season gets started.
 
The Top 5 Reasons That Spartans Fans Should Panic
Paul Mercier
 
  1. The defense is really struggling. The secondary is getting exposed time and time again, and Greg Jones really needs to take control of his defense as a whole. If there was ever time for him to be a vocal leader, it’s now.
  2. The QB shuffle. I don’t like it. I think both quarterbacks have their pros and cons, but I don’t like the shuffling. The young receivers need one guy that they can count on to be their leader, to me, it’s Cousins.
  3. We’ve seen this before. Too many times in the history of MSU we have seen them take a nosedive. I hope it doesn’t happen, but it wouldn’t be the first time.
  4. “Big Brother” is getting good. OK, I use the term sarcastically, but it’s true. The Wolverines are starting to look like a quality football team and the Spartans cannot afford to head into October 3rd with their only win coming against a division 1A opponent. Dantonio has been hitting the state hard in recruiting because the Spartans seemed to be gaining ground on the UM football program. If the Spartans turn out to be a one-hit-wonder, in-state recruiting may be the first thing to falter.
  5. 1-3, really? Montana State, Central Michigan, and Notre Dame to open up the season and the Spartans are 1-3. I’ll be honest: I didn’t see this coming. A Notre Dame loss at Notre Dame, maybe. But these numbers are scary.

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