Blogs > On Campus with ross maghielse

A college sports blog from The Oakland Press, dedicated to covering Michigan and Michigan State athletics as well as former Oakland County athletes at other schools.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Lineups for Tigers-Indians, Game 2 (Aug. 10)

The lineup for the Tigers (61-54):
Andy Dirks, CF (.261)
Brennan Boesch, LF (.285)
Magglio Ordonez, RF (.230)
Miguel Cabrera, 1B (.318)
Victor Martinez, DH (.325
Ryan Raburn, 2B (.227)
Alex Avila, C (.288)
Wilson Betemit, 3B (.282)
Ramon Santiago, SS (.240)
Rick Porcello, RHP (11-6, 4.44 ERA)

The Tigers have lost 12 straight at Progressive Field, dating back to last July. The Tigers' last win in Cleveland was June 3.

Porcello in his career is 4-0 with a 2.32 ERA in eight starts vs. the Indians. His stats overall are pretty darned good, with 50.1 IP (6.1 IP per start) and a WHIP of 1.093 and a .237 batting average against.

Think that's just a product of pitching at home? Nope. Porcello is 2-0 career in five starts at Progressive Field, with a 1.64 ERA and 6.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

He'll be facing the Indians' big trade deadline acquisition, Ubaldo Jimenez (6-9), who is making his home debut for Cleveland, his first-ever appearance in Progressive. Against the Tigers in his career, however, he's 1-2 in three career starts with a 5.63 ERA, a 1.813 WHIP and a .333 batting average against.

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Robinson named to Paul Hornung Award Watch List, Big Ten/ACC Challenge schedule announced

Michigan Quarterback Denard Robinson has been named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list. The Hornung award is given to college football's most versatile player. Robinson, the 2010 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, was also named to watch lists for the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year award earlier this summer.

Big Ten vs. ACC Challenge schedule

The schedule for this coming year's 13th Annual Big Ten vs. ACC Challenge has been announced and both Michigan State and Michigan got favorable matchups. Michigan (ranked No. 23) will play at Virginia Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. The Spartans are at home against No. 21 Florida State Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Michigan State ranked No. 17 in USA Today preseason poll

Last season's shared Big Ten title and 11-2 record earned Michigan State a little more notoriety and national respect. Yet, the thumping MSU took at the hands of Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl may have prevented the Spartans from getting an overly lofting preseason ranking. In the latest USA Today coaches preseason poll released Thursday, the Spartans are ranked No. 17 in the country. The two teams they tied atop the Big Ten with, Wisconsin (No. 10) and Ohio State (No. 16) are both ranked higher.

Oklahoma was the runaway favorite at No. 1 with 42 of 59 first-place votes. Penn State came in ranked No. 25. Michigan received Top 25 votes, but finished unranked. Notre Dame received it's annual Top 25 ranking, this time coming in at No. 18.

The Spartans open the season Friday, Sept. 2 with a night game against Youngstown State. Michigan opens Sept. 3 against Western Michigan.

-- Ross Maghielse

Here's the entire USA Today Top 25 poll:

1. Oklahoma (12-2)

2. Alabama (10-3)

3. Oregon (12-1)

4. LSU (11-2)

5. Florida State (10-4)

6. Stanford (12-1)

7. Boise State (12-1)

8. Oklahoma State (11-2)

9. Texas A&M (9-4)

10. Wisconsin (11-2)

11. Nebraska (10-4)

12. South Carolina (9-5)

13. Virginia Tech (11-3)

14. Arkansas (10-3)

15. TCU (13-0)

16. Ohio State (12-1)

17. Michigan State (11-2)

18. Notre Dame (8-5)

19. Auburn (14-0)

20. Mississippi State (9-4)

21. Missouri (10-3)

22. Georgia (6-7)

23. Florida (8-5)

24. Texas (5-7)

25. Penn State (7-6)