Wisconsin vs MSU impressions and key play summary

Key insights- these teams look about equal.  W has better O line but made a lot of errors in pass coverage.

• MSU best pass rushes were delayed corner blitz & interior stunts
• Wisconsin reminded me a lot of Michigan if you made every player less athletic
• Michigan has a huge advantage in special teams-  MSU's punter can kick long but lots of room for a return (see image below).
• Reed had 9 receptions for 117, 1 TD reception & 1 TD throw on a fake jet.  He needs to be double covered-  zone should help
• Thorne was ok, had a couple of key scrambles. Had at least 2 tipped balls that could have been interceptions.
• MSU will go for it a lot on 4th down-  would like to see Michigan play a bit conservative on these as MSU likes to go for a mid to long pass in these situations.
• Despite it being MSU I predict a comfortable win for U of M

 

Key Plays-

First MSU series Wisconsin stops them with a 3 and out and sack with offensive holding in 3rd down.

 

Wisconsin scores on their first series with plays that are similar to Michigan’s.  Wisconsin’s skill players are a clear step slower and less athletic than Michigan’s players.  On an inside run their back picks up 20 yards and if it was Corum that same run is likely a touchdown.  Series ends with a TD.  Wisconsin 7  MSU 0

 

Wisconsin stop MSU on goal line and gets ball back on downs.  Then 2nd play from the 2 Mertz throws an interception at the 12 yard line.  Michigan State scores a touchdown 2 plays later on a delayed play action handoff inside the tackles.  Wisconsin 7  MSU 7

 

Next series Wisconsin’s back gets outside for a 40 yard gain- again with Corum very possibly a TD.  On 2nd Mertz scrambles to the 1 yard line an 18 yard gain.  Wisconsin scores a TD   WIsconin 14 MSU 7

 

Wisconsin has Michigan state at 3rd and 11 on their own 12-   WIsconsin rushes 4, gets no pressure and Thorne completes a 16 yard pass to Reed who picks up 13 after catch for 29 yards

 

Next series Wisconsin has a 3rd and 1 that they have blocked but their run play develops so slowly that 3 Michigan State defenders get off their blocks and make the stop.  Inexplicable play call-  Running back was lined up 3 yards behind the QB in shotgun so had 8 yards just to get to the line of scrimmage.

 

Next series Wisconsin stops 2 runs in a row for a loss and Michigan State doesn’t convert 3rd down.

 

2nd half Wisconsin starts with ball-  Wisconsin runs play action and Mertz has some time but he doesn’t see a delayed corner blitz (corner activates after it’s clearly a pass play) and Mertz is sacked for a loss of 8.   Ends up with a punt.

 

Next series-  Michigan State under center has slow developing run outside the tackles that is well blocked by State and picks up 12 yards.  State is stopped at 40.

 

Wisconsin has penalty after punt so has ball on own 7 and first and 20.  First down screen pass loses 4 yards.  Wisconsin ends up in 3 and 14 and Michigan State commits PI.  Wisconsin is stopped on 2 passes later in series and decides to punt on 4th & 6 from Michigan State’s 39-  seems like wrong decision-  Downed at 2   still W 14, Staae 7

 

State has 3 and 6 at Wisconsin’s 8 after the punt.  State’s RG moves early but is not called and State converts on a pass straight ahead that Wisconsin decided not to cover.  Easy conversion.  Next play is a play action 72 yard pass to tight end- ball.  They get him down on the 12.  MSU converts first down on a pass play to the 1, then scores TD on 1 yard run-    W 14  MSU 14

Next series W gets to their own 40 on short outlet pass that goes 20 yards.    On 2nd and 10 MSU rushes 5, inside stunt not picked up Mertz is sacked.  3rd and 16 Mertz has tons of time-  checks down to TE who picks up 2yds and is tackled immediately-   why you not throw the ball downfield?

 

Long W punt, Reed has tons of return room-  gets 1 yard return

 

MSU 3 and out-  2 runs for minimal game and W sacks Mertz on 3 and 8  W rushed four- sack comes from RT who is out Wide 9 like Okie

 

Next series W has 3rd and 5 after 2 runs, Mertz throws incomplete & should have been an interception.  Wisconsin has bad punt, MSU ball on their own 35

 

MSU’s Reed earns a PI, MSU is on W’ 44, goes for it on 4th and 4 Converts for 24 yards to Reed.  Reed ends up single covered and has inside leverage-   W safety nowhere near and they double covered the tight end to single cover Reed-  Why??   Next series MSU hits 29 yard TD pass to sideline where receiver (Keon Coleman)  is hit on outside shoulder-  W 14  MSU 31

 

Next series-  Wisconsin has 3rd and 19 from MSU’s 35  Wiscconsin’s RB - Bell, picks up 20 on a jet sweep- he’s untouched for 18 yards, picks up 8 after contact.  W at 7 yard line -  W runs for 0 yards, has bad pass play with 2 W receivers colliding in middle of endzone, 3rd run of 4 yards & then Mertz hits wide open receiver in deep end zone for TD.   W 21  MSU 21

 

MSU get ball to W 33, tries field goal but bad snap & holders pass attempt is intercepted (Wisconsin loses field position due to interception).

 

First Overtime-

 

MSU- first down hand off to Reed with Reed throwing for endzone, ball hangs up a bit and should have been intercepted or at least PBUd.  Coleman catches for  TD MSU    W 21, MSU 28

 

W- Mertz passes to no W player in endzone and somehow 2 MSU players manage not to intercept.  2nd down Mertz overthrows TE-  would have picked up at least 5, possible 1st down if good throw.  Mertz hits touchdown pass on 3 & 10 with deep crossing route.  W 28   MSU 28

 

2nd Overtime

W running back fumbles on 1st down, recovered by MSU

 

MSU at 3rd & 12 after 3 yd run, false start penalty and 2 yard reception by Reed.  27 yard TD pass to Reed outside shoulder-  no safety help  Ball Game  MSU 34  W 28