ESPN 'GameDay' adds to MSU-Wisconsin hype

The first time College GameDay came to MSU, "all Hell broke loose," as Lee Corso put it.

Now coming for the fifth time, expect MSU fans to be better behaved and excited as the No. 15 Spartans clash with the No. 4 Badgers at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The show begins at 9 a.m. on ESPNU and moves to ESPN for two hours at 10 a.m.

Here is my story on GameDay coming to MSU, with details on attending the show and Corso's take on the game.

Linebackers go from question mark to strength

Losing Greg Jones and Eric Gordon from last year and replacing them with sophomores, the linebacking corps was supposed to be the weak point of the MSU defense.

But Max Bullough, Chris Norman and Denicos Allen are 1-2-3 on the Spartans in tackles and are no longer a question mark on one of the best defenses in the country. And good news: They should all be back next year.

Here is my story on the linebackers and Pat Narduzzi clarifying his comment Saturday that the Spartans wanted to play 60 minutes of unnecessary roughness. Narduzzi also said Saturday that they don't want to hurt anybody. Something that didn't make it into many stories.

'It was the best thing to happen to me'

Lots of stuff from practice today. I'm working on some stories that will be up later, but for now, here's senior wide receiver B.J. Cunningham talking about getting redshirted his freshman year. If you haven't heard, he's 10 catches away from being MSU's all-time leader, which is quite a feat at a school with a history for great receivers. Cunningham got a lot of hype when he was on the practice squad in 2007, developing a chemistry with Kirk Cousins, who was redshirted the same year.

"I feel like it was the best thing to happen to me. (When I got my redshirt,) I called home, I was like, ‘Mom, I don’t know if I’m going to make it. I’ve got to sit out another whole year. I can’t play football, play a whole game. I’m just going to be a practice player. But looking back on it, I got to learn the speed of the game, get my feet right, my hands right and learn more about the game. Because I was still kind of raw."

"I had my senior talk a few days ago, and I told (the freshmen), ‘If you get redshirted, don’t be discouraged.' Look at me now. It helped me a lot. Now I’m on the verge of possibly breaking the record and win another Big Ten championship and be a part of another great team."

"Meet the Spartans" in Downtown East Lansing today

If you're going to be in the area, or would like to head up, members of the MSU football team will be signing autographs in downtown EL tonight. Here's the release from MSU:

Michigan State football fans of all ages are invited to attend the ninth-annual “Meet The Spartans” on Tuesday, Aug. 16 from 5-7 p.m. in downtown East Lansing. It marks the second-straight year the event will be held in downtown East Lansing. Fifth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and members of the 2011 football team will be available for autographs and pictures under tents positioned in parking lots on Albert Avenue, between Abbot Road and MAC Avenue.

The MSU cheerleaders and dance team will help distribute free schedule posters and assist in face painting. Children also will have the opportunity to meet Sparty and pose for photos with the popular mascot. Fans also will have the chance to pose for pictures with MSU’s 2010 Big Ten Championship Trophy.

The 2011 “Meet The Spartans” event is sponsored by the Downtown Management Board.