UM vs. MSU: To Kick, or To Receive...THAT is the Question

Submitted by boliver46 on

Say we win the coin toss this Saturday against MSU...do you want to KICK, or would you prefer to RECEIVE?

This is the question I found myself asking myself (think about THAT for a minute) as I watched Chesson's gallup to glory over and over.

With our dominating defense, I would normally defer to the second half to: (1) stifle the crap out of Connor Cook and the MSU offense and amp up the crowd, as well as (2) learn all I can about our opponent and have more time (including the half) to adjust.

However, I have seen the glory that is John Baxter's special teams - and I'd love to have a big return set an electric tone for the game!

Not to mention scoring first will keep the crowd in it, and take the wind out of Dantonio's sails!

What is YOUR take?  Do you want to KICK, or RECEIVE against MSU this weekend?

Oh, and that 7 point spread?  Don't think that hasn't been noticed and will be harped upon all week!

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julesh

October 12th, 2015 at 12:11 PM ^

Receive. I have more faith in stifling their offense in the first series than scoring either on offense or ST. Get a three and out and let the punt return be the big ST play.

Joined: 11/28/2011

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umchicago

October 12th, 2015 at 1:57 PM ^

primarily so you can control what happens at the end of the half.  if little time is left and the game is close or we are ahead, we can sit on the ball and just receive the kick to start the 2H.  if we are down a score or more, you have the option of running your 2 min drill to try and score before the end of the half AND then get the opening kick of the 2H.

Joined: 02/05/2009

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SamirCM

October 12th, 2015 at 5:01 PM ^

Protecting the ball, but in either event (down or up a little), why wouldn't you run an offense and try to score instead of just sitting on the ball? If Michigan is moving the ball, and there's at least a minunte left, why shouldnt' we try to at least get in field goal range? 

Joined: 04/08/2011

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flashOverride

October 12th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^

I thought about this earlier too. I'd rather have the offense let the butterflies get out watching the defense take the field first. State fans keep saying Michigan's D is overrated and hasn't seen a truly dynamic offense or "elite" QB - OK, then. Let's put up or shut up, right now. Moment of Truth. I know who my money's on. Then the offense can start the second half by delivering a dagger. 

Joined: 08/04/2013

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markusr2007

October 12th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^

Have the No. 2 Total Defense/No. 1 Scoring Defense in the land take the field set the tone for the afternoon.

Just like at Penn State in 1997.

Then, come what may, receive the kickoff to start the second half.

 

Joined: 10/21/2008

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UM Fan from Sydney

October 12th, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^

You ALWAYS kick if you win the toss, especially when your strong suit is the defense. I am always more comfortable starting the second half with the ball. It's especially huge if you're the team that scores first before halftime and then starting the third quarter, you have the chance to score first.

Joined: 09/17/2015

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Blusqualo

October 12th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^

Because if the opponent wins the the toss 99% of the time they defer. This way going in you know you are starting on offense first. If the offense doesn't move the ball, oh well, what a shocker. If they get a big play against the defense and manage to score on their opening drive, that would be a huge momentum boost for them and a kick in the teeth for us. In this particular game, under these circumstances, I say receive is the best call.

Joined: 10/08/2014

MGoPoints: 2700

StephenRKass

October 12th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^

I know that tradition says "defer," and let the defense start. But whether we kick or receive to begin the game doesn't matter that much. If anything mattered, I guess I would want the wind at our back in the 4th quarter.

Joined: 07/15/2008

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SwitchbladeSam

October 12th, 2015 at 12:24 PM ^

To quote a line from a great football classic, The Little Giants: “What difference does it make? You kick off, we ram it down your throat. We kick off, we take it from you then ram it down your throat.”



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BLHoke

October 12th, 2015 at 12:28 PM ^

It's always defer. Aside from the fact that special teams TDs are exceedingly rare (2009 was UofM's last kick return), first drives of games are usually a feeling out process where field position is established to begin with. With a defense like this one, that is even more so the case. They've give up points on 5 drives all season long, the odds that they'd make spotting them the ball first moot are exponentially better than your average team.

Oh, and keep the crowd into it... Seriously???

Joined: 08/17/2011

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Bambi

October 12th, 2015 at 12:28 PM ^

Kick. I'm always a fan of kicking first.

On the topic though, this might be another game where special teams plays a huge part. MSU has one of the worst net punting averages in the country, a bad kicker, and one of the worst kick return defense units in the country too. And their punter was injured at the end of Rutgers so their back up QB had to punt. This looks like another game where one or two special teams plays may go our way.

Joined: 10/12/2013

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Gr1mlock

October 12th, 2015 at 12:40 PM ^

Always defer.  I want the ball in the second half, and I'm not sad sending our D out there to bludgen them to death and set the tone early.  Plus, controlling wind is valuable.  

Joined: 12/24/2013

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lilpenny1316

October 12th, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^

This will likely be a field possession game, so kick to them, stop them and get set up with good field position.  And I like the two-fer possibility to close the first half with the ball (and score) and open the second half with the ball (and score).  I've seen the Saints, when they were rolling, kill the opponent's will with that.

Joined: 11/19/2009

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defcow

October 12th, 2015 at 12:43 PM ^

I'm usually a defer guy, but in a game like this I would receive and take the ball down and score. Give a 7-0 lead to our defense and you have yourself an offense that will shit their pants.

Joined: 01/20/2014

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Mgoblue2az

October 12th, 2015 at 12:50 PM ^

Sorry this is out of left field but where is the best place to watch the game this Saturday in Phoenix. I've heard of a couple places that are very Michigan friendly. Just looking for some advice???

Joined: 09/15/2015

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Jomafalo

October 12th, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^

I remember watching a Michigan game when I was a kid in which the opposing team chose to kick off at the beginning of the game. Then at the start of the second half, everyone assumed the other team would receive, but because they did not defer and chose to kick, Michigan had the option and ended up receiving to start the game and to begin the second half as well. I've never seen that happen again since. Lesson learned the hard way by the other team... always defer or receive, never choose to kick. 

Joined: 04/12/2009

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