[pefloresjr]

So...has anyone checked if the 247 MSU site posted a thread complaining about the use of our darned "facts" in discussing the upcoming game.

I'm feeling really good about our chances right now. Even before these stats, I felt like our defense had a much better chance of shutting down their rush than theirs has of shutting down ours. Add into that the passing game has great momentum. It may be competitive, but if our guys bring their A game, the win should be definitive.

Their standard response other than the "We'll kick their asses" type has been the "If only there was some way to settle this on the field" response.  It's not unreasonable.  For me the three weeks to focus on this game increases my nerves.  I get a little tired of the back and forth with our visitors and just want to get on with the game already. 

I think Stanford is probably the better team, but I'm nervous about this game primarily because I think this is the best defense that Stanford will face all year.  That creates an x factor that plays into my fears about our uneven road offense.  All the great statistical analysis gives me some comfort that if Stanford plays an above average or even average game while MSU does the same, Stanford should win. 

The other unknown for me is based on the three to four week prep time each team gets.  MSU's coach seems to be known for using trick plays and we could get burned.  Of course, Shaw has done the same so we could also benefit from the time.  Also, I don't think this is a major factor in this game, but having time to prepare for an unusual system makes it easier to respond.  I think Oregon has suffered from this in prior bowl games.  Here, Stanford's use of jumbo packages is an unusual system even though it is based on old-school strategies.  MSU will have plenty of time to understand and practice their reads and keys to our base offense.  So, I will remain nervous for the rest of you and keep the woofing gods off our backs.

Cheers,
Pete F. 

[pefloresjr]

So...has anyone checked if the 247 MSU site posted a thread complaining about the use of our darned "facts" in discussing the upcoming game.

I'm feeling really good about our chances right now. Even before these stats, I felt like our defense had a much better chance of shutting down their rush than theirs has of shutting down ours. Add into that the passing game has great momentum. It may be competitive, but if our guys bring their A game, the win should be definitive.

Their standard response other than the "We'll kick their asses" type has been the "If only there was some way to settle this on the field" response.  It's not unreasonable.  For me the three weeks to focus on this game increases my nerves.  I get a little tired of the back and forth with our visitors and just want to get on with the game already. 

I think Stanford is probably the better team, but I'm nervous about this game primarily because I think this is the best defense that Stanford will face all year.  That creates an x factor that plays into my fears about our uneven road offense.  All the great statistical analysis gives me some comfort that if Stanford plays an above average or even average game while MSU does the same, Stanford should win. 

The other unknown for me is based on the three to four week prep time each team gets.  MSU's coach seems to be known for using trick plays and we could get burned.  Of course, Shaw has done the same so we could also benefit from the time.  Also, I don't think this is a major factor in this game, but having time to prepare for an unusual system makes it easier to respond.  I think Oregon has suffered from this in prior bowl games.  Here, Stanford's use of jumbo packages is an unusual system even though it is based on old-school strategies.  MSU will have plenty of time to understand and practice their reads and keys to our base offense.  So, I will remain nervous for the rest of you and keep the woofing gods off our backs.

Cheers,
Pete F.