Dr. Green and White Sports Authority

If I am being completely honest, things were getting a little scary on Saturday night. After a reasonably solid start to the game, late in the first quarter it seemed like the Michigan State pass defense disappeared without a trace.  The Boston College offense was suddenly scoring touchdowns at will. By the end of the first half, the Spartans trailed 21-14. If Michigan State was going to win the game, the Spartans were going to have to do something that they were unable to do at any point in 2024: outscore an FBS opponent in the second half. Spartan fans were clearly getting anxious as a smattering of boos rained down for the stands. They had seen this movie before and they were not expecting this kind of scare. Some were hoping for a laugher. Others started grieving the loss of the 2025 season before it had really even started. With the Michigan State schedule going forward, a loss to Boston College could have easily turned the season into a horror movie. But the Spartans had othe...

Back in the summer, when I was reviewing the overall schedule for the Michigan State Spartans, I had a feeling that there was one specific game which could be the defining event for both the 2025 season and the young Jonathan Smith tenure. There was one game, more than any of the others, that I felt would signal whether Spartans fans would be ready to party in 2025 or if they would need to cool the engines. It was more than a feeling, if I am being honest. That feeling was that the Spartans' performance against a certain group of guys from Boston would be bellwether for the rest of the season and possibly beyond. That weekend is now upon us as the Boston College Eagles are on their way to Spartan Stadium. Spartan fans are used to bad news recently. They are ready to have that peace of mind that the program is headed in the right direction. Getting a win over a Pour Four team in the non-conference, even a middle-of-the-road ACC team, is the step that Michigan State needs to take. If...

The beginning of a new college football season is like opening an unfamiliar bottle of fine wine. One is never quite sure what to expect. Sure, you can take a pretty good guess as to what it might taste like. The brand, the age, the style, and the writing on the bottle gives an indication of what to expect. One might even be able to find some online reviews to give a sense if how good the particular bottle might be. Week One provided the first sip of the 2025 college football season. It is a time to get an initial impression of what is to come from the full bottle. For the Michigan State Spartans the initial taste was a pleasant one. The first half was a bit sweet as the Green and White found the endzone three times in the first four drive. The offense was not as spicy as expected and there was definitely an earthy character as the Spartans put up 130 yards rushing in the first 30 minutes. The defense was bold, giving up just 89 yards and three first downs. But the finish on Friday nig...

Sophomore.  Noun: A student in the second year at college or a 4-year secondary school. Adjective: Being or associated with the second in a series. Etymology: Perhaps from Greek sophos wise + mōros foolish. In other words, a sophomore is a "wise fool." On Friday night, head coach Jonathan Smith will lead the Michigan State Spartans into the sophomore season of his tenure in East Lansing. Just like the first day of class for a teenager, it's a pretty big deal. The emotions will be similar for Spartan fans, as Friday night brings a combination of both excitement and anxiety as Michigan State open the season against the Western Michigan Broncos. The first year of any new endeavor or new place can be difficult. One has to learn about the culture, the traditions, the people, and they must navigate their way around in an unfamiliar environment. The Michigan State season in 2024 at times had the vibe that the new kids on the block were just trying to find their footing. But by t...