tOfficial MSU @ Cal predictions thread

[RPMadMSU]

Originally Posted by All Your Base

You had me until this......no way we hold them to 250 total.

Sorry, meant to say 350 yards, a la the Stanford-Cal game last year. I will fix.

I think it goes along the lines of the Stan-Cal game, with MSU coming out on top.

[All Your Base]

Originally Posted by GFang

Cal 41 MSU 28

QB Kevin Riley 268 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT
WR Michael Calvin 105 yards, 2 TDs
TE Cameron Morrah 66 yards, 1 TD
RB Jahvid Best 140 yards mostly on 2 long runs of 50 and 55 respectively, 1 TD, 1 big kick return to midfield
RB Shane Vareen 52 yards
K David Seawright 2 FGs
DE Rulon Davis 1 sack
LB Zack Follett 1 sack, forced fumble recovered by Cal
CB Syd Quan Thompson 2 pass breakups, 1 big punt return
CB Darian Hagan 1 INT

Hoyer 230 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble
Ringer 137 yards, 2 TD, 30 yards receiving
Dell 95 yards, 1 TD
Cunningham 58 yards, 1 TD
Anderson 1 sack on Cal LT Chet Teofilo
Jones 1 TFL, 1 sack
Wiley 1 INT

Cal up 21-14 at half

Homer. Pass for 270 & 4TDs and run for 200 with the offensive line you guys are fielding? Good luck with that.

[All Your Base]

Originally Posted by RPMadMSU

Sorry, meant to say 350 yards, a la the Stanford-Cal game last year. I will fix.

I think it goes along the lines of the Stan-Cal game, with MSU coming out on top.

That I could see. ~225 passing and ~125 rushing.

[RPMadMSU]

Originally Posted by All Your Base

That I could see. ~225 passing and ~125 rushing.

I think it will be closer to 250-100, due to Cal playing from behind. I think their inexperience will cause them to lose some turnovers.

[GoStateNate]

Originally Posted by All Your Base

Homer. Pass for 270 & 4TDs and run for 200 with the offensive line you guys are fielding? Good luck with that.

His stats do smack of homerism, but to be fair, their OL is supposed to be a strength.

With that said however, with Tepper out at the LT spot Anderson should be pressing the weak side and harassing Riley/Longshore all day.

[SadbutTrue]

MSU 76
Cal 1

[SadbutTrue]

Originally Posted by All Your Base

Homer. Pass for 270 & 4TDs and run for 200 with the offensive line you guys are fielding? Good luck with that.

Uh. Our O-line will be good.

But you're right. MSU by 106 touchdowns.

[VP Sarah Palin]

Originally Posted by SadbutTrue

MSU 76
Cal 1

So you're assuming that Cal is so incompetent that they would pick up a blocked PAT, try to run it back all the way, and drop it into the endzone before breaking the plane? THEN, let someone else dive on it?

[All Your Base]

Originally Posted by GoStateNate

His stats do smack of homerism, but to be fair, their OL is supposed to be a strength.

With that said however, with Tepper out at the LT spot Anderson should be pressing the weak side and harassing Riley/Longshore all day.

I've read that their O-line was going to be a strength, but with Tepper likely out, the Trevor Anderson side of their line is pretty young....two sophomores.

The passing for 270.....I can see that.....maybe even more. I guess I was reacting to being rushed on for almost 200 yds. tOSU won't even do that against us this year.

[OskiGoDumb]

Originally Posted by WCS

MSU 52
Cal 21 Final

Originally Posted by SpartanRocky

MSU 31

Cal 28

Originally Posted by JEK

MSU 30
Cal 24

Originally Posted by SpartanJackson

MSU 31

Cal 21

Originally Posted by All Your Base

MSU 34
Cal 27

Originally Posted by RPMadMSU

MSU 27 - Cal 17.

Originally Posted by RPMadMSU

I think it goes along the lines of the Stan-Cal game, with MSU coming out on top.

If Cal plays anything like they did against Stanford last year MSU will ROLL. But to expect Cal to replicate one of the three or four worst efforts of the Tedford era is a tall order. That game was the culmination of a nightmarish two months with a gimpy QB, #1 wide receiver out, injuries all over the place and a team in complete disarray.

As for the score, Cal averaged 33/ppg at home last year and 39 in 2006. Only SC held us under 20 at home last season and that was a 24-17 loss in a torrential rain storm with a qb that could hardly walk and we still had 399 yards of offense and were the only team to outgain SC all season(399-368). I think MSU will need north of 28 to win.

[Blade Runner]

Cal 34
MSU 31

Sorry guys, I believe in Dantonio and think we'll have a good season, but let's be honest, winning at California is a very, very difficult task.

[Yakispartan]

Ball control is key for our Spartans. I am a big fan of Deon Curry being a factor this year. He is low on radar and can play the role that Taylor Stubbelfield filled for Purdue a few years back. Methodical down the field play with enough passing to open up some big gains for Ringer. If we can keep time of possession in our favor, will dampen Cal's ability to get in a groove with uncertain QB situation they have. Greg Jones is a stud getting lots of attention, and that opens up for Eric Gordon to wreak some havoc. Too many three and out's and we get in trouble.

[SadbutTrue]

Originally Posted by Sparticane

Wait, wouldn't that STILL be worth 2 points???

Nah, he's right. A TD return the offensive team during a PAT is only worth 1 IIRC. The issue actually came up during our game with Southern Miss in 2004, I believe.

edit: Is it only if its fumbled into the endzone too? **** I dunno...

[Babies Need Tickets]

Trying to look at this one objectively, and will break it down by position. Interestingly enough, my initial thought on this game was that Cal would win. After looking more closely at the two teams, however, I pick MSU.

I'm obviously more informed about MSU than about Cal, and am going off of projected depth charts and stats for many positions, so who knows. Further, I just have no idea at some key positions.

Based on the analysis below, I think MSU has the better team overall. Cal has playmakers, though, playing at home in a national night game with high expectations.

Nevertheless, we do have quite a bit of experience and, hopefully, composure at the key positions. I also think that throughout the game, we will wear them down, on both offense and defense. We should be able to control the clock on offense and rest our D. Greg Jones will be the difference maker on D as he will line up all over the field and create mismatches.

In the end, two things help us. First, we should be able to move and tire their defensive line. Second, we have more experience, on balance, at the skill positions. I think we control the clock and they make more mistakes, which makes the difference in a game between two pretty evenly matched teams.

MSU 31
Cal 24

QB: Slight edge to MSU. Hoyer had a solid year and is the second-year starter in a known system. Cal starts a largely unknown quantity in Kevin Riley, though he did perform relatively well in action last year in limited action. I think Hoyer's experience is the key here, and really believe he will have learned from many of the mistakes he made last year.

RB: Slight edge to MSU. Cal must replace a very productive back in Justin Forsett, while MSU has a senior stud in Ringer, though he is coming back from injury. Cal's Jahvid Best was a prized recruit and looked good in some action last year, but hasn't yet shown that he can carry the load throughout the game while taking the pounding we will put on him. Depth at RB seems to be a question mark for both teams.

FB: No idea, so I'll say push.

OL vs. DL, rushing: Edge to MSU. O-lines: Cal 4 SR, 1 SO at LG. MSU 2 SR, 2 JR, 1 FR at LG. Both teams breaking in two new starters. Cal front line on defense supposedly "soft," though quick. MSU front 4 anchored by Justin Kershaw, with senior Brandon Long and transfer Trevor Anderson. I think it's a push on OL, with our DL looking better. Teams ran on largely this same DL last year. A lot. We will too.

OL vs. DL, passing: Slight edge to Cal. Quickness and big Mike Tepper at the blindside Tackle position. Our OL is capable, but Cal's front line on D may be too quick.

WR: Edge to MSU. We bring back two experienced starters, they are breaking in a new corps. Loss of Devin Thomas obviously hurts, but Dell showed promise last year and Hoyer/Curry really seem to have developed a connection.

TE: No idea. I'm not too impressed with Gantt, but don't know much otherwise. He'll probably be the difference maker with 12 receptions.

LB: Slight edge to MSU. Greg Jones and Eric Gordon for MSU. Three returning seniors for Cal. I think Greg Jones is going to be a huge presence this year, and probably will be the best LB on the field, with the ability to line up at several positions and create mismatches, stop the run, cover receivers, and blitz the QB. He's the difference here.

CB: Push. I actually like our experience and depth here, along with the improvement these guys have made since Dantonio took over. cal breaking in some new starters. All else equal I would give the nod to MSU, but given our performance at CB over the last few years, I am calling it a push.

S: Edge to Cal. Both teams breaking in one new safety. Otis Wiley is a stud. But the loss of Jenrette will hurt, particularly because it happened so recently.

K/P: I'll call it a push. No real clue here.

Returns: Again, no idea. I'm guessing they'll use Best as their main return man, which may tip the balance toward Cal. But this one is just too hard to tell going into the year.

Coaching: Slight edge to MSU. I am very impressed with Dantonio, and have been impressed with Tedford over the years. The difference, I think, is that Dantonio gets the most out of all positions, whereas Tedford doesn't seem to focus on defense as much.

Setting: Edge to Cal. First game, nationally televised night game, at Cal, a long way from home.

[RPMadMSU]

Originally Posted by Babies Need Tickets

Trying to look at this one objectively, and will break it down by position. Interestingly enough, my initial thought on this game was that Cal would win. After looking more closely at the two teams, however, I pick MSU.

I'm obviously more informed about MSU than about Cal, and am going off of projected depth charts and stats for many positions, so who knows. Further, I just have no idea at some key positions.

Based on the analysis below, I think MSU has the better team overall. Cal has playmakers, though, playing at home in a national night game with high expectations.

Nevertheless, we do have quite a bit of experience and, hopefully, composure at the key positions. I also think that throughout the game, we will wear them down, on both offense and defense. We should be able to control the clock on offense and rest our D. Greg Jones will be the difference maker on D as he will line up all over the field and create mismatches.

In the end, two things help us. First, we should be able to move and tire their defensive line. Second, we have more experience, on balance, at the skill positions. I think we control the clock and they make more mistakes, which makes the difference in a game between two pretty evenly matched teams.

MSU 31
Cal 24

QB: Slight edge to MSU. Hoyer had a solid year and is the second-year starter in a known system. Cal starts a largely unknown quantity in Kevin Riley, though he did perform relatively well in action last year in limited action. I think Hoyer's experience is the key here, and really believe he will have learned from many of the mistakes he made last year.

RB: Slight edge to MSU. Cal must replace a very productive back in Justin Forsett, while MSU has a senior stud in Ringer, though he is coming back from injury. Cal's Jahvid Best was a prized recruit and looked good in some action last year, but hasn't yet shown that he can carry the load throughout the game while taking the pounding we will put on him. Depth at RB seems to be a question mark for both teams.

FB: No idea, so I'll say push.

OL vs. DL, rushing: Edge to MSU. O-lines: Cal 4 SR, 1 SO at LG. MSU 2 SR, 2 JR, 1 FR at LG. Both teams breaking in two new starters. Cal front line on defense supposedly "soft," though quick. MSU front 4 anchored by Justin Kershaw, with senior Brandon Long and transfer Trevor Anderson. I think it's a push on OL, with our DL looking better. Teams ran on largely this same DL last year. A lot. We will too.

OL vs. DL, passing: Slight edge to Cal. Quickness and big Mike Tepper at the blindside Tackle position. Our OL is capable, but Cal's front line on D may be too quick.

WR: Edge to MSU. We bring back two experienced starters, they are breaking in a new corps. Loss of Devin Thomas obviously hurts, but Dell showed promise last year and Hoyer/Curry really seem to have developed a connection.

TE: No idea. I'm not too impressed with Gantt, but don't know much otherwise. He'll probably be the difference maker with 12 receptions.

LB: Slight edge to MSU. Greg Jones and Eric Gordon for MSU. Three returning seniors for Cal. I think Greg Jones is going to be a huge presence this year, and probably will be the best LB on the field, with the ability to line up at several positions and create mismatches, stop the run, cover receivers, and blitz the QB. He's the difference here.

CB: Push. I actually like our experience and depth here, along with the improvement these guys have made since Dantonio took over. cal breaking in some new starters. All else equal I would give the nod to MSU, but given our performance at CB over the last few years, I am calling it a push.

S: Edge to Cal. Both teams breaking in one new safety. Otis Wiley is a stud. But the loss of Jenrette will hurt, particularly because it happened so recently.

K/P: I'll call it a push. No real clue here.

Returns: Again, no idea. I'm guessing they'll use Best as their main return man, which may tip the balance toward Cal. But this one is just too hard to tell going into the year.

Coaching: Slight edge to MSU. I am very impressed with Dantonio, and have been impressed with Tedford over the years. The difference, I think, is that Dantonio gets the most out of all positions, whereas Tedford doesn't seem to focus on defense as much.

Setting: Edge to Cal. First game, nationally televised night game, at Cal, a long way from home.

How does it change knowing Tepper will not play?

[VP Sarah Palin]

Originally Posted by Sparticane

Wait, wouldn't that STILL be worth 2 points???

No, it's called a "1 point safety," or "conversion safety." It's never actually happened but the rule is on the books.

[All Your Base]

Originally Posted by Babies Need Tickets

Trying to look at this one objectively, and will break it down by position. Interestingly enough, my initial thought on this game was that Cal would win. After looking more closely at the two teams, however, I pick MSU.

I'm obviously more informed about MSU than about Cal, and am going off of projected depth charts and stats for many positions, so who knows. Further, I just have no idea at some key positions.

Based on the analysis below, I think MSU has the better team overall. Cal has playmakers, though, playing at home in a national night game with high expectations.

Nevertheless, we do have quite a bit of experience and, hopefully, composure at the key positions. I also think that throughout the game, we will wear them down, on both offense and defense. We should be able to control the clock on offense and rest our D. Greg Jones will be the difference maker on D as he will line up all over the field and create mismatches.

In the end, two things help us. First, we should be able to move and tire their defensive line. Second, we have more experience, on balance, at the skill positions. I think we control the clock and they make more mistakes, which makes the difference in a game between two pretty evenly matched teams.

MSU 31
Cal 24

QB: Slight edge to MSU. Hoyer had a solid year and is the second-year starter in a known system. Cal starts a largely unknown quantity in Kevin Riley, though he did perform relatively well in action last year in limited action. I think Hoyer's experience is the key here, and really believe he will have learned from many of the mistakes he made last year.

RB: Slight edge to MSU. Cal must replace a very productive back in Justin Forsett, while MSU has a senior stud in Ringer, though he is coming back from injury. Cal's Jahvid Best was a prized recruit and looked good in some action last year, but hasn't yet shown that he can carry the load throughout the game while taking the pounding we will put on him. Depth at RB seems to be a question mark for both teams.

FB: No idea, so I'll say push.

OL vs. DL, rushing: Edge to MSU. O-lines: Cal 4 SR, 1 SO at LG. MSU 2 SR, 2 JR, 1 FR at LG. Both teams breaking in two new starters. Cal front line on defense supposedly "soft," though quick. MSU front 4 anchored by Justin Kershaw, with senior Brandon Long and transfer Trevor Anderson. I think it's a push on OL, with our DL looking better. Teams ran on largely this same DL last year. A lot. We will too.

OL vs. DL, passing: Slight edge to Cal. Quickness and big Mike Tepper at the blindside Tackle position. Our OL is capable, but Cal's front line on D may be too quick.

WR: Edge to MSU. We bring back two experienced starters, they are breaking in a new corps. Loss of Devin Thomas obviously hurts, but Dell showed promise last year and Hoyer/Curry really seem to have developed a connection.

TE: No idea. I'm not too impressed with Gantt, but don't know much otherwise. He'll probably be the difference maker with 12 receptions.

LB: Slight edge to MSU. Greg Jones and Eric Gordon for MSU. Three returning seniors for Cal. I think Greg Jones is going to be a huge presence this year, and probably will be the best LB on the field, with the ability to line up at several positions and create mismatches, stop the run, cover receivers, and blitz the QB. He's the difference here.

CB: Push. I actually like our experience and depth here, along with the improvement these guys have made since Dantonio took over. cal breaking in some new starters. All else equal I would give the nod to MSU, but given our performance at CB over the last few years, I am calling it a push.

S: Edge to Cal. Both teams breaking in one new safety. Otis Wiley is a stud. But the loss of Jenrette will hurt, particularly because it happened so recently.

K/P: I'll call it a push. No real clue here.

Returns: Again, no idea. I'm guessing they'll use Best as their main return man, which may tip the balance toward Cal. But this one is just too hard to tell going into the year.

Coaching: Slight edge to MSU. I am very impressed with Dantonio, and have been impressed with Tedford over the years. The difference, I think, is that Dantonio gets the most out of all positions, whereas Tedford doesn't seem to focus on defense as much.

Setting: Edge to Cal. First game, nationally televised night game, at Cal, a long way from home.

This is the only area where I have to disagree. Cal has two NFL linebackers in their corps, and that's why they went to the 3-4. We might blow through the first level on running plays, but we'd better be real good at blocking that second level if we're going to have good success on the ground. I think we will, but that's only because they're breaking in a completely new scheme.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by #1

No, it's called a "1 point safety." It's never actually happened but the rule is on the books.

It has happened in a game before.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/6590924/

[Babies Need Tickets]

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