thoughts on UM-MSU

[tomdalton22]

UM couldn't beat PSU on the road....I don't think they will beat MSU either.

 

[Michchamp]

If it's a competitive game, I think we'll see complaining either about a lack of PI calls or too many PI calls.

I vow not to complain about any PI calls.

 

[Spartanmack]

I'd prefer that. When Gardner has been flushed out of the pocket and forced to make decisions on the run that's when truly retarded things have happened. Obviously the MSU defense has been dominant, and it's happened while only ranking 46th in sacks so they've made things happen even without great pressure (at least pressure resulting in sacks, i haven't watched them much)...but I think sitting back on Gardner plays into UM's hand a bit. I'm sure there won't be many windows, but Gardner can fit the ball in some small ones when he has his feet set.

Yeah that was poorly worded, i don't necessarily mean sit back or even blitz any less - just don't get caught over-pursuing an athletic QB. If our corners can cover (funchess and gallon will def be the toughest WRs they've seen all year) and force DG to run into a 7 or 8 man front we should be able to force some punts and hopefully even a fumble or two.

OT but hopefully we can cover a TE better than Nebraska - I've never seen a defense get burned by the same play more times in one game than Minn running play action to the TE - made Neb look like a clown brigade.

 

[Michchamp]

UM couldn't beat PSU on the road....I don't think they will beat MSU either.

deep thoughts.

 

[tomdalton22]

deep thoughts.

well...it's pretty simple. MSU is the better team.

 

[deathroh]

Yeah that was poorly worded, i don't necessarily mean sit back or even blitz any less - just don't get caught over-pursuing an athletic QB. If our corners can cover (funchess and gallon will def be the toughest WRs they've seen all year) and force him to run into a 7 or 8 man front we should be able to force some punts and hopefully even a fumble or two.

Fair enough. My biggest fear (outside of multiple turnovers of course) is probably Borges slamming it up the middle 20 times, or worse yet, continuing to run that damn stretch play that routinely allows multiple people into the backfield.

I'd like to see a quick short passing game replace a good portion of the RB runs. Still take plenty of shots downfield so it's not one dimensional like they have been the last couple years, but even with Denard at QB the short game was relatively successful from the 20 to 20.

 

[Sbee]

Fair enough. My biggest fear (outside of multiple turnovers of course) is probably Borges slamming it up the middle 20 times, or worse yet, continuing to run that damn stretch play that routinely allows multiple people into the backfield.

I'd like to see a quick short passing game replace a good portion of the RB runs. Still take plenty of shots downfield so it's not one dimensional like they have been the last couple years, but even with Denard at QB the short game was relatively successful from the 20 to 20.

a lot of teams have run the chuck and duck offense against us, throw it up and hope for a fluke big play or PI call, better chance of something like that than a conventional attack. we give up on average 3.55 yards per play, 58 yards per game rushing, better to hope for a fluke than a sustained drive.

example, notre dame

 

[Gulo Blue]

Fair enough. My biggest fear (outside of multiple turnovers of course) is probably Borges slamming it up the middle 20 times, or worse yet, continuing to run that damn stretch play that routinely allows multiple people into the backfield.

That's a pretty big fear, the other thing that would make me soil my trousers is if State rolls out a quick-paced no huddle.

 

[Spartanmack]

Fair enough. My biggest fear (outside of multiple turnovers of course) is probably Borges slamming it up the middle 20 times, or worse yet, continuing to run that damn stretch play that routinely allows multiple people into the backfield.

I'd like to see a quick short passing game replace a good portion of the RB runs. Still take plenty of shots downfield so it's not one dimensional like they have been the last couple years, but even with Denard at QB the short game was relatively successful from the 20 to 20.

Mine is travelling nearly 700 miles to watch the Spartans run screen plays on every 3rd and long situation as well as half of our first down plays and/or 2nd and long, an unnecessary fake field goal and a half back option pass into triple coverage and losing this game 9-6.

 

[tomdalton22]

a lot of teams have run the chuck and duck offense against us, throw it up and hope for a fluke big play or PI call, better chance of something like that than a conventional attack. we give up on average 3.55 yards per play, 58 yards per game rushing, better to hope for a fluke than a sustained drive.

example, notre dame

to be fair MSU hasn't beaten any good teams yet. UM will be the best team MSU has played to date.

 

[deathroh]

a lot of teams have run the chuck and duck offense against us, throw it up and hope for a fluke big play or PI call, better chance of something like that than a conventional attack. we give up on average 3.55 yards per play, 58 yards per game rushing, better to hope for a fluke than a sustained drive.

example, notre dame

A lot of teams you've played have sucked balls.

examples; wmu-113th, s. florida-121st, ysu-FBC, Purdue-120

That's half of your opponents that are either ranked in the bottom ten in all of FBS in total offense, or aren't even in the FBS. MSU's defense is great, but 3.55 ypp doesn't mean shit.

 

[deathroh]

That's a pretty big fear, the other thing that would make me soil my trousers is if State rolls out a quick-paced no huddle.

Nah, I wouldn't mind seeing that. UM has to know that teams are going to bust it out every now and then, so hopefully they put in a little work over the bye. But more importantly it would also take MSU out of their comfort zone and could possibly lead to mistakes on their part.

 

[deathroh]

A lot of teams you've played have sucked balls.

examples; wmu-113th, s. florida-121st, ysu-FBC, Purdue-120

That's half of your opponents that are either ranked in the bottom ten in all of FBS in total offense, or aren't even in the FBS. MSU's defense is great, but 3.55 ypp doesn't mean shit.

Actually only Indiana is above average, the rest are well below.

Illinois-73
Iowa-74
ND-81

 

[deathroh]

Mine is travelling nearly 700 miles to watch the Spartans run screen plays on every 3rd and long situation as well as half of our first down plays and/or 2nd and long, an unnecessary fake field goal and a half back option pass into triple coverage and losing this game 9-6.

You know there will be a fake.

 

[Michchamp]

A lot of teams you've played have sucked balls.

examples; wmu-113th, s. florida-121st, ysu-FBC, Purdue-120

That's half of your opponents that are either ranked in the bottom ten in all of FBS in total offense, or aren't even in the FBS. MSU's defense is great, but 3.55 ypp doesn't mean shit.

Eh...

Opp............offensive rank
WMU............113th
USF..............121st
YSU..............FCS
ND................81st
Iowa.............74th
IU.................10th
PU..............120th
Ill.................73rd

avg. ~ 85th (excluding YSU which is 31st in the FCS)

ours:
Opp............offensive rank
CMU..............106th
ND..................81st
Akron............105th
UConn...........116th
Minn..............107th
PennSt............56th
IU..................10th

avg. ~ 83

our rank is 45th
MSU's is 87th.

 

[Sbee]

to be fair MSU hasn't beaten any good teams yet. UM will be the best team MSU has played to date.

agree 100%, MSU has played one team with a defense ranked higher than Michigan (Iowa) and one offense (Indiana). I am just getting my confidence based on how awful Michigan has looked in their wins, they just look like a very soft football team. I could see a game that's eerily similar to 2011

 

[Sbee]

A lot of teams you've played have sucked balls.

examples; wmu-113th, s. florida-121st, ysu-FBC, Purdue-120

That's half of your opponents that are either ranked in the bottom ten in all of FBS in total offense, or aren't even in the FBS. MSU's defense is great, but 3.55 ypp doesn't mean shit.

they did hold IL to 300 yards under their season average at home, that's pretty impressive IMO. IL has actually played some good teams too

 

[Michchamp]

I think our defense can cope with MSU's offense more easily than their defense can cope with our offense.

I just don't have a lot of faith that our offense will develop any sort of rhythm OR avoid stupid turnovers.

 

[Michchamp]

they did hold IL to 300 yards under their season average at home, that's pretty impressive IMO. IL has actually played some good teams too

except that Illinois sucks and their home field advantage doesn't exist in any meaningful sense of the word.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

I think it's safe to say that both teams have had their share of ups and downs. Msu struggled big time against WMU USF and recently Purdue. Michigan struggled big time against Akron and Uconn. The Notre Dame victory for Michigan was impressive. The most impressive win on Msu's schedule in my opinion is the game in Iowa. To me the most important thing to watch for is how Trae Waynes and Darquez Dennard handle the receivers of michigan. If they get beat early on and MSU is forced to play zone the advantage goes to michigan in my opinion.
Unless DG has a great game I don't see michigan winning in East Lansing, but of course I could be very wrong.