EAST LANSING - After a heartbreaking loss to bitter rival #21 Michigan, the #19
Michigan State Spartans(4-1,1-1) find themselves fourth in the Big Ten and
looking straight at their next opponent in #6 Ohio State(3-1,1-0) on Oct
15. The Spartans head into their bye week in good time as they will an
extra week to prepare for the Buckeyes, as well as give their injured
or banged-up players some time off.
"We'll do a little bit this week as far as kicking game and throwing
and things like that just to stay fresh," said head coach John L. Smith.
"We'll give them some time to recoop, try and get healthy and we really
need that at the linebacker position."
Among the players needing time off to heal are linebackers David Herron
Jr (undisclosed) and Kaleb Thornill (knees). Defensive lineman David Stanton has a shoulder problem he will look to rest and running back
Javon Ringer's banged up shoulder is nothing to work about, according to
John L. Smith.
With the Spartans kicking game being a problem last week,
it doesn't help that backup kicker Kyle Mayer will not be able to kick
for a while due to a groin injury. Smith also mentioned that running
back Jehuu Caulcrick was a little banged up as well but nothing serious.
"We'll get some people healthy," said offensive coordinator Dave
Baldwin. "It gives us two weeks to prepare for a defensive team that's
incredible." As the whole nation has noticed, Ohio State does feature one of
the best linebacking corps in the nation, headed by A.J. Hawk.
Baldwin and the offense have an entire two weeks to prepare for a
defense that is the best in the Big Ten, having only given up 164 yards
rushing in four games and 996 total yards. The Buckeyes have only given up
five offensive touchdowns this season.
While the coaches will be taking Wednesday through Friday for
recruiting, the team will be right back out of the practice field on Saturday,
making it an extra three days of practice that the Spartans will have
going into Columbus.
The Spartans will try to move on after a tough loss to Michigan, but
they need to take full advantage of the week in preparing for a Buckeye
team that will not be an easy game to say the least. The Spartans can
get right back into contention for the Big Ten Conference title with a
win over the team that has been picked to win the conference.
A win would
bring back major confidence to a team that took a hit to their pride
last week in losing to their hated rival, but they can once again rise in
the national rankings and prove that they are for real by taking down a
monster of a Buckeye team.