For a Spartan like myself, it was a scene that's become annoyingly too familiar. MSU appears to have a win in hand, only to #### defeat from the jaws of victory. Michigan's 4th quarter rally was equally impressive (for Maize and Blue Nation) as it was disheartening (for Spartan Nation). Give credit where credit is due. Michigan made the plays to win the game. Michigan State didn't, and as a result, couldn't close out yet another win against their in-state rivals. The Spartans very well could have won three of the last four in the battle for Paul Bunyon. Instead, they find themselves winless in the rivalry over the last, gulp, six seasons! What transpired afterwards, from the "moment of silence" to Hart's "little brother" comments will only spur on more hatred between these two schools for years to come. The only way to shut-up "big brother" is to beat him. Give D'Antonio time to get some talent in East Lansing, and maybe, just maybe, things will start to turn around for the boys in Green. All five losses this season have been by seven points or less, including two overtime heartbreakers. All Michigan State fans ask for is some consistency week-in and week-out, and finding a way to win the games you're supposed to win. If Sparty did that every year, they'd be 8-4 at the very least. Two more games remain for them to get back to a bowl for the first time since '03. Here's betting they find a way to do it.

Prediction time:

Michigan 27 Wisconsin 19

Purdue 31 MSU 27

Lions 23 Cardinals 17

Michigan should beat a very average Wisconsin team, setting the stage for the showdown next week in Ann Arbor. The Spartans haven't won at Purdue since '93, and while they won't get blown out like many expect after yet another emotional defeat, they'll come up just short. And how 'bout those Lions?!??! I could dedicate an entire blog to the job Rod Marinelli and company have done, but beware of the trap game this weekend in the desert. A win and all of sudden they're 7-2 with the Giants coming to town for a huge NFC battle next Sunday. Wouldn't that be something?

As the cold weather approaches, we are reminded of two things. One, how much we miss summertime and two, this really is the best time of the year for sports fans. March and April are a close second, with March Madness, and the NBA and NHL playoffs set to get underway, coupled with the start of baseball season. But October is the time for ALL sports, and with the World Series set to begin, we remember why we love this time of the year so much. College Football is in full swing (although this is usually the time of year my beloved Spartans fall in the tank...hopefully not this time!), the Lions still have hope, the Wings are showing why they are still Stanley Cup contenders, while the Pistons have a little more uncertainty this season, with an aging core, yet a promising group of youngsters to mix in. It's a full slate indeed, with a big game on TV seemingly every day of the week. So, grab the remote and enjoy.

Prediction Time:

Red Sox over Rockies in 6 games

MSU 27 Iowa 17 (First win in Iowa City since '89!)

Michigan 41 Minnesota 13

Bears 31 Lions 20 (The more things change....)