Scouting MSU Offense

Submitted by RationalMSUfan on

I already provided some undetailed thoughts on the MSU defense earlier and they were well recieved for the most part :-) so I thought I'd provide some info on the offense.

Glass Half Full? - As fans, I think we tend to see the postive things from our teams and I can't help doing that. I realize that is a faulty starting point, but I'm a fan so what can I do. What I mean by that is our point total at OSU (10) stunk. However, in watching the game not all 10 points are created equally. It wasn't like we were totally pathetic (like OSU) and went 3 and out. We ran the ball ok (prior to 4th quarter shut down mode) and moved the ball into OSU territory quite often (9 or 10 times I think). Then........WE SHOOT OURSELVES IN THE FOOT.  Now, I remember the UM folks with RRod talk about all the yards they would rack up between the 20's before faulting in the red zone. I, as an MSU fan, would laugh. Now, I find myself doing the same thing.  Again, totally admit it is unfair....just being honest.

 

What I'm getting at is that I think this offense has it in them to put together a good thing.  They aren't hopeless like a Bauserman led Buckyeye offense. With that said, I won't believe it until they do it.

Few notes:

BJ Cunningham is a stud - Finally, he seems to be getting his due. He is just a SOLID SOLID reciever. Not as explosive as a Charles Rogers (college Rogers, not inept NFL Rogers), but he has better hands than Rogers and catches everything. 

The other WR's have been a huge dissapointment. Keyshawn Martin is our slot jitterbug, but he just hasn't been right this year. He has made a lot of mental mistakes. Keith Nichol is great as a blocker and catches everything, but he either 1) doesn't get open or 2) Cousins is still mad at him for the QB thing and doesn't throw to him.

*** Our much hyped, but oft injured, Bennie Fowler should play against Michigan. IMO, he has more potential than Nichol or KMart, but we'll see if he can make an impact. He hasn't played a snap this year, so counting on him would be foolish.

 

The RBacks - Edwin Baker has had a poor year. I blame it more on the Oline than him, but he as been bottled up and frustrated. However, if he can get a crease, he has home run ability. He did that against Mich last year. LeVeon Bell seem to do better and consistently getting 4-5 yards. He has that knack for falling forward to pick up the extra 2 yards. Larry Caper comes in on 3rd down to catch screen passes or run draws.

 

Captain Kirk - Kirk really takes a ton of heat for a guy that is pretty good. Expectations will kill a guy. If you look at his stats, he has been fine, but every mistake is magnified. If you look at OSU game, the int in the end zone was thrown fine. Our TE stepped on the db's shoe and couldn't jump. Question the play call, but not a bad throw.  The fumble and look like an idiot falling on it, I feel safe chalking up to poor weather. The final int was an awful decision and throw. No excuse. Still, I think Kirk will be fine if given time. If UM wins, it will be because their blitzes get through and Kirk makes some bad decisions.

 

and finally our battered OLine - No expert insight here, this is really the key to the game.  I've read to the contrary on this site, but our strength is actually or interior line. Our guards Foreman (senior) and McDonald are pretty good. Our Redshirt Freshman Travis Jackson was the starter at the end of fall camp, but got hurt and didn't play against Notre Dame. He is back and has been solid.  Our weakness is at our tackle spots (particularly LTackle) but again, they played better against OSU.  I feel good that your best players IMO are Marting and VanBergen. We need to batlle to a draw there. I know everyone here loves Super Roh, but I think Fou Fonoti will handle him OK and Jibreel Black or your other DE doesn't strike fear in me.  If this were Brandon Graham lining up against Dan France (our LT), I would beg for mercy (or at least mandate a TE staying in to chip block).

 

There you have it.......hope I provided some useful info.

 

Again, I have the good guys (that's MSU) pulling it out in the 24-14 neighborhood, but NOBODY KNOWS what's going to happen.

 

 

NateVolk

October 12th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^

One thing that I don't hear brought up a lot is Michigan has a lot of experienced guys back on both sides of the ball.  State lost  about 10 contributing players from last year's team. A greater volume of experience now properly coached, is something Michigan hasn't had in this game since 2007.

Still don't know how it will play out, but that's one thing that is squarely in Michigan's favor.

One more factor is Michigan has really quality senior leadership across the board.  That's also a first since 2007.

This is always a game where intangibles and "want to" can make a difference.

jmblue

October 12th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^

Edwin Baker worries me, even if he's having a subpar season to date.  Our run defense has been vulnerable on the edges and he's a back that can pop it outside and take it to the house.  I wouldn't be suprised if he saw extended duty on Saturday.