The Jim Miller Blog

Bottom Line: a 10-2 record is better than 9-3.  Although the Spartans have locked up an inaugural Big Ten Title game appearance on December 3rd, this weekend’s game against Northwestern has is very important and stacked with meaning.   It’s meaningful for the Michigan State program, it’s meaningful for the seniors who want to go out winners, and it’s meaningful for BCS Bowl implications if Michigan State, god forbid, were to lose the Big Ten Title game.

Mark Dantonio has always preached respect since his arrival at MSU.  Respect your team, your opponents, and most importantly, respect the game of football.  The old saying is “you’re either getting better or you’re getting worse”.  It truly applies in football.  The Spartans have been consistently striving to get better in all three phases this year.  No better example would be the Michigan State Offense that had many Spartan fans worried after the loss to Nebraska.    No need to worry, the exact opposite has unfolded.  

Here are the numbers:
1.     MSU Offense - has recorded more than 400 yards of total offense for three straight games (402 yds vs. Minnesota, 443 yds vs. Iowa, and 470 yds vs. Indiana).  
2.    The Spartans have also average 41 points a game during this three game stretch
3.    Total yard per game average is 438.3 yards during these three games as well.

Not too shabby!

I always like to remind the Spartan faithful of the vision Mark Dantonio has set for the Michigan State program.   As per usual and much like football, let’s stay consistent.  Please go back and read a past blog I wrote called “Buckle Up Little Camper”.  I wrote it after the loss to Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl last year.

I say it on the radio and I will put it in print right now.  It is not time for the Spartans to DECELERATE, resting on any laurels as if they have arrived, IT’S TIME TO ACCELERATE!  They have not arrived by any stretch of the imagination.  There is plenty of more work to be done to gain the respect Michigan State desires.  This weekend’s game against Northwestern is a game the Spartans should win and quite frankly, should dominate.

Michigan State respects Northwestern’s program, players, and coaches.  It is now the time for the Spartans to make a move to gain the respect they have worked tirelessly to achieve.  This does not only pertain to this weekend’s game versus Northwestern, but the two subsequent games following.  If Michigan State wants respect, then they have to “TAKE IT” from here on out.

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