My quick thoughts from last weekend. They're kind of random, kind of all over the place, but well, they're just some quick hits from the last week or so.

The Good

- The MSU football team did exactly what they were supposed to do this past weekend. They came out against Western Michigan, jumped out to a big lead and never looked back. I'm not 100% sold on Ashton Leggett as an answer to Michigan State's running game (I still feel that the offensive line is a big part of the problem), but he might be an answer near the end zone. I think Caper is a better all-around back and Baker provides a speed element that no one else can match, but Leggett runs with authority and it's something MSU needs in short-yardage situations. Glenn Winston filled this role before he blew out his knee earlier this year, but hopefully Leggett can fill that role in MSU's remaining games (at Purdue, Penn State in East Lansing, and hopefully a bowl game)

- College basketball officially started this week, as North Carolina tipped off against Florida International and Ohio State took on Alcorn State last evening. Not exactly thrilling match-ups, but exciting none the less. MSU opens the regular season Friday with a match-up at the Breslin Center with Florida Gulf Coast (Who??). They're a little banged up early in the year with minor injuries (slight concussion for Delvon Roe, a couple minor injuries for Chris Allen and Durrell Summers, and possibly a worse injury for Raymar Morgan), but most should be healed by Friday. Hopefully Morgan will be back by the time MSU plays Gonzaga (November 17), but Tom Izzo is taking a wait and see approach. One good thing to come out of the exhibition games against Northwood and Grand Valley is the emergence of Draymond Green. Not only is he still rebounding well, but he's also showing an outside shooting touch and some very strong leadership. MSU will miss Travis Walton's leadership skills at times this year, but it sure seems like Green is stepping into that role very early into his sophomore season.

- The NFL season is still going strong. The New Orleans Saints came from behind this weekend to stay undefeated. Indianapolis needed a missed field goal by Houston's Kris Brown to stay undefeated. The Colts host the Patriots next Sunday evening and you have to wonder if they were slightly looking past the Texans and towards their match-up with the Patriots.

The Bad

- The Detroit Lions are 1-7 through 8 games and Matthew Stafford threw 5 interceptions this weekend at Seattle. Remind you, this was a Seattle defense with only 3 interceptions this season heading into last weekend. While there are signs of improvements and more skilled players on this team, there are still major question marks. The offensive line still struggles to give Staffard time or open holes for the running game. The defensive line struggles to put any pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Kevin Smith is not the answer at running back. He just doesn't show a burst even when the line manages to give him a hole to run through. There is some young talent on this team (Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Louis Delmas, and even Sammie Lee Hill), but they're a long way from being a competitive team.

- The University of Michigan Defense. Rich Rodriguez brought in Greg Robinson this year to improve their defense from last year's disaster. This year, they're 89th in the nation in total defense, giving up almost 400 yards per game. In games against Divison 1 opponents, they're giving up over 28 points per game. If you remove games against MAC opponents, they're giving up over 33 points per game. It makes you wonder if it's a lack of talent or poor coaching. I'd have to assume it's some of each, but with players like Donovan Warren and Brandon Graham, they shouldn't be this bad. The folks in Ann Arbor are getting restless as Michigan is 1-5 in the Big Ten this season and staring 1-7 directly in the face with their remaining games being at 7-2 Wisconsin and home against 8-2 Ohio State. So much for that 4-0 start, huh?

The Ugly

- It's been discussed almost everywhere lately, but if you haven't seen video of New Mexico female soccer player Elizabeth Lambert, you should see it. It's unbelievable and completely uncalled for to act the way she did. Soccer can be a physical sport. Anyone that has watched a soccer game played at the high school level and beyond would agree with that statement. That being said, there is never any reason to yank down a competitor by her pony tail or intentionally kick a soccer ball into the face of a fallen opponent. While Ms. Lambert has apologized, her actions are something that can not just be swept under the rug with a simple apology.