CFB Roundup: Players out at Alabama, MSU eyes Bollman for OC spot
Four Alabama players facing charges of robbery and fraudulent use of a credit card after a campus attack on two students Feb. 11 are no longer with the team nor enrolled in school. Coach Nick Saban announced Wednesday the disassociation of defensive back Eddie Williams , running back Brent Calloway , defensive lineman D.J. Pettway and Tyler Hayes with the team and school. The four had been suspended indefinitely by Saban and barred from campus by the university after the incident that left one student unconscious. Williams, Hayes and Pettway each face two counts of second-degree robbery. Williams and Calloway were charged with fraudulent use of a credit card. In a separate incident a day earlier, Williams was charged with carrying a pistol without a license. Callway also had a prior arrest on misdemeanor possession of marijuana in October 2011. —Michigan State is expected to name former Ohio State assistant Jim Bollman as its new offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. Bollman would replace Dan Roushar, who left Michigan State in early …
Craft’s 21 lead No. 18 OSU past No. 4 MSU, 68-60 (The Associated Press)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Aaron Craft slashed through the lane for a career-high 21 points on Sunday – more than he had scored in the last three games combined – to lead No. 18 Ohio State to a 68-60 victory over fourth-ranked Michigan State. The loss crippled the Spartans’ hopes of catching up with top-ranked Indiana, which now leads the Big Ten race by two full games with four remaining. Deshaun Thomas added 12 of his 14 points in the second half for the Buckeyes (20-7, 10-5), who stand fifth in the conference. Evan Ravenel added 10 points and a crucial block in the final minute. Freshman Gary Harris had 14 points and Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix each had 12 for the Spartans (22-6, 11-4), who have dropped two in a row after winning 11 of 12.
MSU, OSU fight to hold their spots in Big Ten race (The Associated Press)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — It seems every time Michigan State and Ohio State have met on a basketball court in recent years, one team has walked away with a trophy. But that won’t be the case when the No. 4 Spartans square off with the 18th-ranked Buckeyes on Sunday. Coach Tom Izzo’s team (22-5, 11-3) needs a victory to remain within reach of top-ranked Big Ten leader Indiana (24-3, 12-2) as the conference race winds down. The Buckeyes (19-7, 9-5) are trying to maintain a two-game grip on fifth place and cement a first-round bye in the Big Ten tournament. They can also stretch coach Thad Matta’s success rate in 20-win seasons to a perfect 13 for 13. A loss for either team creates headaches that can cause problems down the road.
Stopping OSU’s Thomas is job one for MSU – Michigan State (Rivals)
When No. 18/17 MSU (15-3, 4-1 Big Ten) squares off against No. 11 Ohio State (13-3, 3-1) at 6 p.m. on Saturday (ESPN) at Breslin Center, the Spartans (15-3, 4-1 Big Ten) will be starting a stretch of four games to close out January against three of the four teams who have all shown they could end the conference slate as Big Ten champions.
MSU, OSU and SEC like 2015 OL/DL
Cincinnati Colerain has produced several high-level BCS prospects and sends several players to FBS programs annually, and the Cardinals already have coaches inquiring about their 2015 class. Sophomore George Brown Jr., an offensive tackle and defensive end, made several unofficial visits during the fall and has the attention of several BCS schools. “Louisville, LSU, North Carolina, Clemson, Ohio State, Miami, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Michigan State,” Brown rattled off as the teams showing early interest.
Northwestern, MSU, Minnesota accept bids
The Big Ten’s bowl lineup is complete as the final three eligible teams have accepted invitations. Northwestern will face an SEC opponent in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, Michigan State will face a Big…
Dantonio says MSU will win vs. Gophers
After losing so many close games this year, Michigan State needs to think positively heading into its final contest of the season. The 5-6 Spartans must win at Minnesota on Saturday in order…
MSU faces another defining moment at UW
Most of Michigan State’s defining moments in recent years have come against the Wisconsin Badgers. In 2010, the Spartans rallied to beat No. 11 Wisconsin 34-24 in an emotional game played without head…
Instant analysis: Michigan 12, MSU 10
Michigan held off a second-half Spartans surge to end Michigan State’s four-year winning streak. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson led a final-minute drive down the field and a field goal gave the Wolverines a…
U-M gets shutout, thinking ahead to MSU
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The players said they had not thought about it yet, about how they weren’t going to get to it until tomorrow, until the pleasure of Michigan’s 45-0 victory over…
