Everyone is making a big issue out of the fact that Minnesota's stellar wide receiver Eric Decker is gone for the season and won't face Michigan State in Minneapolis on Saturday.  And he is a big loss for a team that struggles to score in the first place.  But I don't think his loss is make or break for the Gophers' chances in the game.

The Spartans have no "removed" running backs Andre Anderson and Caulton Ray from the roster, a move made on Wednesday with little explanation other than to say there are no legal issues involved.  Both were running behind freshmen Larry Caper and Edwin Baker, but both had played in seven of the eight games.  Ray was the starter at the beginning of the season replacing Javon Ringer, but once he got benched he had little playing time.

Earlier Glen Winston went down for the season with a  knee injury and I thought he was the Spartans' best running back.  Defensive back Roderick Jenrette is also done for the year.  MSU has lost some players as well, not to mention all the guys who got banged up through the first eight games.

I think MSU can win three or lose three the rest of the way.  The Spartans can take little for granted given their fragile state.  They may be a better team than Minnesota, but will they have truly put the disappointment of the Iowa loss behind them and give it everything against a team very motivated to win, and get within one game of a bowl bid itself -- Minnesota?