Let's get right to it:
Show up for the Seniors: beat State - you now have even less of an excuse not to come on Saturday, as the Athletic Ticket Office has announced some more ticket deals. Students can get in for just $10. We have had a great student section all year, but let's get even more out there. If you are a student and you know someone who hasn't been coming, find them and get them to come for $10! Is $10 too steep? How does free sound? All current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forced and their families can get in gratis on Saturday. All United Way agency clients can get in gratis as well.
While you're coming, bring some food as well - As is tradition for the final home game of the season, the Gleaner's food bank will be accepting canned foods and donations around Ross-Ade Stadium. It really is a great Saturday. Pay a low price, see some football, and donate to a good cause all in one.
Basketball wraps up exhibition season - It's not that I am lazy, it's just that I can't get excited about blowing out a division II team. Maybe we need to join the Big East so the games are exciting. I'll get into basketball coverage full swing later this week with the Cal State Northridge preview. I'll let the Boiled Sports guys handle things with their take on this one. Some things to bear in mind from the box score alone:
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Mark Wohlford played 11 minutes. He may not play 11 minutes all season.
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Ryne Smith played 21 minutes. That likely won't be his average.
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Coach Painter seemed content to let the younger guys get some time, which is good.
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Rebounding was much better.
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Robbie Hummel might be ready to finally contribute a bit as a role player, at least according to basketball expert Terry Hutchens.
Volleyball continues to struggle - After beginning the season in the top 25 the women's volleyball team appears to have fallen off a cliff. Purdue is just 3-10 after a 5-1 start to the season and will need a dramatic turnaround to make the NCAA Tournament. Sits the Michigan schools this weekend after getting swept by Minnesota last week.
Women's soccer makes NCAA Tournament - Thanks to late double overtime wins over Indiana and Iowa the Boilers (12-5-3) are headed back to the NCAA tournament. Their foe in round one will be Central Michigan, with the Notre Dame-IUPUI winner awaiting in round two. Central Michigan is in via the MAC's automatic bid. Purdue carries a #23 ranking into the tournament.
Joey Elliott named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week - Beating OSU and Michigan in the same season will do that. Ryan Kerrigan needs serious consideration for Defensive Player of the Year. He leads the Big Ten with 11 sacks, and his one of Tate Forcier on the 2-point conversion try does not count. Boo for weird statistics.
If you're into torrents, this is for you - MGoBlog was masochistic enough to post a link to a full torrent of Saturday's win in all its 720p glory. Torrent experts, please explain how I can get this badboy working.
The Return of the podcast - Finally, the Hammer & Rails podcast returns tomorrow night, as I will be talking with Ben of the Michigan State SBNation blog The Only Colors. We're going to spend roughly the first half hour talking about football, then the last half hour discussing basketball and how nice the view from the top of the conference looks for both of us. Listen live at the link at 8pm ET/7pm CT/3pm Hawaiian.