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FanPulse Results: Confidence slightly rises after bye week, but remains low

By Ryan O'Bleness

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NCAA Football: Michigan State at Wisconsin Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Following a bye week, there was really nowhere else for Michigan State Spartans fans’ confidence to go other than up. Last week, confidence hit an all-time low of zero following back-to-back blowout losses for MSU.

So, how are we feeling this week, Spartan Nation?

Heading into the Penn State game, the confidence number rises slightly, but still remains pathetically low. Fan confidence currently sits just below 17 percent (16.7 percent, to be exact). Struggles on the field, a somewhat alarming number of players transferring, a tough Big Ten schedule and coaching issues are all reasons contributing to this.

A win this week could do wonders in terms of fan confidence. Penn State is undefeated at 7-0 and ranks No. 6 nationally. The Nittany Lions come into this game as near touchdown favorites, despite playing on the road. Expectations are pretty low for MSU this weekend, so a loss isn’t going to cause a dramatic dip in the data.

The Spartans, however, have had some recent success playing against the Nittany Lions, even as underdogs. A home game after a bye week against an opponent Dantonio has dominated (6-3 in his career) sounds like a possible recipe for an upset. We’ll find out soon.

FanPulse National Top-25:

Alabama remains in the No. 1 spot, and the rest of the top-5 stays the same as last week. Wisconsin, following its upset loss to Illinois, fell six spots to No. 12. Meanwhile Penn State moves up one spot to No. 6 after after defeating Michigan, while the Wolverines barely stay in the top-25, getting the last spot. Minnesota (No. 14) is the only other Big Ten team to rank this week. San Diego State made the list for (I believe) the first time this season, checking in at No. 24.

National Question of the Week: Which game are you most excited for in Week 9?

Editor’s Note: I do not have a pretty graphic this week, but I can tell you the results.

  1. Auburn at LSU — 38.9 percent
  2. Wisconsin at Ohio State — 34 percent
  3. Notre Dame at Michigan — 13.7 percent
  4. Washington State at Oregon — 4.5 percent
  5. Penn State at Michigan State — 3.5 percent

The Only Colors Top-25:

Pretty spot on with the national poll, but we have Ohio State at No. 1, Alabama at No. 2 and LSU No. 3. Just a couple of subtle differences other than that.

1. Ohio State

2. Alabama

3. LSU

4. Clemson

5. Oklahoma

6. Penn State

7. Auburn

8. Georgia

9. Notre Dame

10. Florida

11. Oregon

12. Wisconsin

13. SMU

14. Texas

15. Minnesota

16. Utah

17. Cincinnati

18. Baylor

19. Appalachian State

20. Wake Forest

21. Arizona State

22. Boise State

23. Virginia

24. San Diego State

25. Michigan

Interested in joining FanPulse and voting on college football’s Top 25 teams each week? Ready to express your confidence? Sign up here to have your voice heard!

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