October 23rd, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
You have great practices.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
A good plan.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
Like we probably need to be +3 or +4 which this team has shown no abiility to do - I think we've lost the turnover battle in almost every game. I think we're destined to by 20+ unless the defense MAKES PLAYS
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^
-Acquire points in unconventional ways because their players and coaches our better than our players coaches.
-Cook needs to shit the bed. Obviously. INT's are necessary. Poor choices/bad throws are optimal. I would really like Frank Clark weigh in on this issue.
-Norfleet returns takes one to the house and otherwise gives us field position
-DG rediscovers mobility. Notwithstanding ankle problems, this might take a gameplan that allows him this freedom. If MSU has to defend DG, our chances of not sucking are better.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^
but realistically Staee losing their QB to injury (for more than 3 quarters) is the ONLY scenario where UM is even close.
So paging Alan Branch and Lamar Woodley!
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:27 PM ^
How should I know?
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
to open up the running game. State will stack the box and dare you to throw the ball. Spread the field, if we can be successfull throwing the ball and force them out of the stacked defense, then maybe we can run the ball somewhat effectivley. Take a page from I believe it was the Patirots who threw on their first 20 or so plays against the Steelers a few years ago. No way we will just be able to line up an run it with any success. Win the T/O battle and hold them to under 20pts.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
they'll have to play a lot of weird guys. We counter the weird guys with our normal guys.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
But I do predict that, if MSU runs the swinging gate on an extra point, that our coaches will not have prepared the team for it and they will get an easy two.
I admire MSU's style, sad to say, but true...
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^
1. Run every play, the entire game, out of a 4 WR shotgun formation.
2. Leave the RB next to Devin and for blitz pick up or to flare out as an outlet pass.
3. Every once in a while, have Devin run on a designed QB run play that gets 4 yards and then he slides or is out of bounds before a hit.
4. Hurry up, 2-minute offense the entire game - see if you can make them puke.
October 23rd, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
the game of their lives
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
Both teams have to play inexplicably beyond expectation and past performance...in opposite directions. It simply comes down to the vagaries of CFB rivalries and any given Saturday.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
Protect. And pump fake.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
The key to winning will be to continue to be a strong defensive team against the run. The mantra on these games is that the team that has the most rushing yards is the team that wins, and Michigan is strong against the run. And get a handle on how the refs are going to call defensive holding - if they're going to let DBacks get away with holding, then hold their receivers too. Play through the whistle, and put Cook on his ass every chance you get.
On offense, the nice thing this year is that the strength of MSU's DLine seems to be up the middle, which is where we have more experience. All the OLine players need to play smart and not panic, maintaining footwork and lanes even if they get beaten a few times. And use Devin Gardner's legs by design instead of relying on his sensing pocket pressure (his reads seem to be improving, but it is unlikely he suddenly develops the sense of when to scramble in this game). And hold on to the damn ball!
Mattison still remains a very good coach, and a strong defensive showing against a meh MSU defense can be key.
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
You think Minnesota agrees that Michigan's defense is strong against the run?
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
Yeah, but do we execute some of our guys or some of their guys??
October 23rd, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
But I'll add this: first you have to have a good week of practice
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:29 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
1.
Hoke puts on a head set and gets involved with in game strategy.
2.
We get insane pressure on Connor Cook and the D scores two touchdowns.
3.
Devin runs a zone read pass offense the entire game. (just like the Sundance Kid he's got better aim when he's moving. Old movie reference - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford)
Hail!
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:58 PM ^
You have to be cautious with the Butch & Sundance references on this site. Remember -- they end up dying bloody in Bolivia.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
I don't think Michigan will win the game, but I also don't believe State is a super team. Their defense is nothing like last year's defense; their offensive line is not as good, and Connor Cook has the potential to be a turnover machine. Anyone who watched the first half of the Indiana-MSU game or the second half of Purdue-MSU knows teams are capable of competing. Fergodsakes Indiana played Sparty essentially even for 30 minutes, using its sixth string qb, a true freshman whose performance matched Russell Bellomy versus Nebraska. I think the score is more likely to be State 24-UM 13, than State 35-0.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:38 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^
This, plus we get Oregon to put on our uniforms and play for us.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
1. Stop the run. Do not let MSU control the clock and the line of scrimmage.
2. Attack Cook because our defensive backs will be in a lot of trouble if Cook has time to throw. He is an efficient passer and our DBs allowed Rutgers to throw the ball all over the place. That was Rutgers. This is the defending B1G champ.
3. Run the ball early and often, even if we are not picking up yards, in order to wear out the defensive front 7.
4. Do not put the ball in the air often early. Gardner is rattled right now, so the offense needs to be tailored in a way to let him build confidence as the game goes on. No early mistakes because if he is forced into bad throws early, he may spiral. We need Gardner to play confidently in this one like he did last year against Ohio State.
5. Win the turnover and field position game. If we give MSU the ball in good field position consistently, the game will get away quickly. We can stop MSU on long drives so pin them deep.
6. Do not be too conservative. We can not out-physical MSU the way we could 15 years ago and win, so we have to take some risks. But not early in the game because if Gardner loses confidence in himself early, this game looks like trouble.
Just my $.02.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:41 PM ^
Do less.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
They must impose their will on sparty. It's not about tricks or gimmicks. It's about beating the man lined up across from you.
October 23rd, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
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October 23rd, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
Four wide all day running deep routes. Hayes in the backfield catching the ball in the flat with some draw play's sprinkled in. Have Freddy and Atomic energy Northfleet consistently threatening end arounds. Let Devin run and slide. Defensively rush 5 to 6 guys every play with man coverage in secondary with Countess watching from sidelines. Once inside fifty no punting because this needs to be four down time. Go Blue!!!
October 23rd, 2014 at 2:07 PM ^
I like Northfleet a lot, too. He's my favorite athlete since Nicklas Lindstrom, I think. Or that guy who used to coach Standford.
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
either a deep pass or a long pass interference (may be even better) to rattle their defense and make them worry that they aren't invincible. avoid drops--that used to kill us against good teams, and they are drive killers. win the penalty battle, and draw penalties against their defense.
October 23rd, 2014 at 2:36 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 5:05 PM ^
than the attack without mercy!"
-Gen. George Armstrong Custer
"Little Big Man". Or something.
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^
Play hard, play smart, play together and MOST of all...
BRING THE WOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Blue!
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^
if i were nuss… with the way msu plays in the secondary. i mean it is literally 1 on 1 on a fucking island. I go i formation, put 8 sparties in the box and isolate funchess out wide. 1 on 1. i tell his 6’5 230 lb ass to get into those corners off the snap, get them off their press, and i tell devin to just throw it his direction every fucking play. just give him a chance. force msu to put help over the top and open up the middle of the field. If he is matched up one on one, it is a mismatch. EXPLOIT IT.
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^
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October 23rd, 2014 at 1:27 PM ^
Do you anticipate MSU changes their defensive strategy against Michigan? Watch an MSU game. They'll put their corners on an island and if you come out in a running formation they pack the box. It's what they do. They may not need to do so to stop Michigans running game, but they will.
October 24th, 2014 at 1:44 PM ^
I know what they run, I'm making a joke.
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:20 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
Have Gardner do his best Rex:
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 2:41 PM ^
October 23rd, 2014 at 4:17 PM ^
that year.
Not only is that a wet blanket, but I think there may be a strain of smallpox found on it, as well.
October 23rd, 2014 at 1:36 PM ^
1. no turnovers
2. get turnovers
3. see #1 and #2
turnovers have killed the offense this season. it's got to stop if they have any hope of winning.