analysis from P.R.

Ohio State was good. The MSU offense was predictable and could not dominate the line of scrimmage like they had against Indiana, and found running the ball almost impossible. The defense looked quite bad at times, but in a 55 second series managed to score two defensive touchdowns, and almost scored a 3rd on the next OSU play. OSU was the better team and the final score does not reflect the disparity between the two teams accurately.

Iowa, at Iowa, should be an interesting "trap game" challenge. Iowa is miserable this year. Expectations were high but the offense is abysmal, and the defense has been forced to stay on the field too long. That said, MSU is not exactly clicking coming off last week...blown coverage, no pressure on the QB, no running attack, still have Hoyer at QB (because he's the only option)...who knows what will happen.

I mapped out the basketball ticket situation before leaving. I will be gone on Sunday when the selections occur but Ellie should be able to attend or teleconference in. You should contact her if you are going to be in town on a particular occasion...we aren't planning on getting Christmas tickets otherwise. Hopes continue to be high for this team. Izzo called Chris Allen [potentially] the best shooter since Respert. He also said a second freshman, Durrell Summers, is a "poor man's Jason Richardson." Hell, I'll take a vagrant Jason Richardson.

Yesterday was an interesting birthday. First, thanks for the gift, loved it. Second, I was in the airport at 6 a.m. Having breakfast and a shot of tequila at the airport bar at 7 a.m. Flying on THE WORST AIRLINE, in THE WORST SEATS, with THE WORST SERVICE ever from 8am-3pm, and arrived at our hotel around 4:30pm. The first half of the day was somewhat of a wreck. The second half was spectacular.

I had the 4 best seafood meals of my life. My team gets along very well and so we ordered different dinners and sampled. I got the Marlin w/ potatoes au gratin; Kelly got BBQ jumbo shrimp w/ black beans, chirizo, and rice; Kristen ordered the Mahi Mahi w/ coconut sauce; and Justin decided on the Halibut w/ mashed potatoes and a decadent cheese sauce. In a word, amazing. The Halibut was hands down the best fish I've ever had. My marlin was excellent as well. We also ordered and split 4 desserts. Unreal. I could have lived in that restaurant for months eating the same thing every day.

Today we practice, practice, and practice. We hope to see the island a bit--at least the parts we've been told are safe--and then have a mandatory teams meeting tonight. I'll try to take plenty of pictures.