Gameday to State College Next Week

Submitted by stephenrjking on

Just came across my ESPN app. I'm not jumping off a bridge like some others are, but I confess I am less excited about this than I was before it became clear that our offense has less air power than Saddam Hussein after Desert Storm.

MGoBoard
Football

CLion

October 14th, 2017 at 10:08 PM ^

As just another clueless fan, I moved on from blaming Drevno today after our run game was dominant. What we can say with certainty is the passing game is literally bottom of the barrell in college football. I imagine it's a combination of things (obviously O'Korn and Crawford are C- minus starters) but coaching/play calling is without question playing a role right? Since run game is looking good I'm looking at Pep.

Joined: 09/16/2017

MGoPoints: 5247

victors2000

October 15th, 2017 at 5:53 AM ^

offensive formations we ran was telling; I think it's more complicated than it needs to be. Pep came from the NFL, he's probably running the offense in some high faluting way that is challenging O'Korn when it needs to be helping him. That is what they need to work on, making it easier for him to get his reads and just use some of the plays for crying out loud. All we need is a moving the chains kind of passing attack and we stand a good chance of winning this game.

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12778

victors2000

October 15th, 2017 at 8:16 AM ^

heck, I wouldn't say I'm knowledgeable about ours, but since you asked I did a little research about Alabama's OC. His name is Brian Daboll and he's coming from the Patriots. Bill Belichick likes his offensive staff to start on the defensive side of the ball, so when they plan the offense they know what to expect from the defense. I haven't seen that much of Hurts or Alabama but based on his numbers I think he's pretty much taking what the defense gives. This is not what John is doing; yesterday and the week before he had multiple pass plays where the checkdown was open or someone else that would have been a completion for an easy 8 yards was open, but instead he went for the money ball or someone well covered and wasted the down. This is what they need to instruct or 'bash into his head'; take what the defense gives you and don't go for the gold unless there is a good chance you will connect. If he does this WE WILL BEAT Penn State.

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 12778

stephenrjking

October 14th, 2017 at 8:37 PM ^

I want this to be wrong. I want the offense to surprise and the defense to jail them and things to go miraculously right.

But it's hard not to see this as an inevitable scenario. Two late TDs piled on as the defense gets exhausted? I'll be surprised if this isn't what happens.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

CLion

October 14th, 2017 at 8:49 PM ^

I have watched 3 or 4 PSU games this year and while you might think their offense is good due to Barkley and returning McSorley, their offense has really been mediocre. It's pretty much get the ball to Saquon and have him make a play. If he weren't a phenom, their offense would be horrible.

On the flip side though, I have been impressed with their D and unfortunately with their DL and pass rush. Our best bet is a scripted first drive TD and then hunker down and hope for a couple fgs from Nordin and maybe that's enough.

Edit: They also have a terrible RT. Lookin at you Gary.

Joined: 09/16/2017

MGoPoints: 5247

stephenrjking

October 14th, 2017 at 8:50 PM ^

Hey, real analysis! Good, too. 

It's been frustrating not scoring on the opening drives, when the script moves the ball down the field. Scoring a TD early would be huge. Things do indeed grind down when the script goes away, which happens with lots of teams as defenses adjust and plays have to be repeated. 

Nordin has the potential to be a huge asset for Michigan given the offensive limitations. He hasn't really come into play yet, but if Mckeon doesn't fumble that ball late in the first half against MSU Nordin might've been able to win us that one. I don't think we can outscore Saquon Barkley with field goals, but if we can just get a td early and a td late and get a few possessions close enough to bring Nordin into play, 23 points is on the table, and...

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

The Fan in Fargo

October 15th, 2017 at 12:16 AM ^

Plays have to be repeated he says. What about my halfback swing or option circle pass weakside left with 3 receivers split wide right? What about O'Korn bootleg right option pass? What about DPJ and McDoom double reverse option pass? I wish I could put hot wax on that bald head.

Joined: 09/04/2016

MGoPoints: 1877

jdemille9

October 15th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^

I agree, 23 points would probably be enough to win with our defense. But unless we get some defensive/special teams scores or incredibly short fields (inside the 5) I don't see how this offense can score that many points. Asking for 2+ TD's against a solid PSU defense on the road, at night is a tall task for this offense. I can't believe I just typed that.

That said, it also wouldn't surprise me to see our D shut down their offense, which literally is 99% Saquon Barkley. Hell, if Iowa can keep them off the board for most of the game then why can't our defense? Brown will have a great scheme for Barkley, we just need the offense to score more points than we allow. I'm not holding my breath though.

As for your earlier comment about the D possibly fading in the end, I don't think that'll be the case. They haven't yet this year and I doubt this is the game they get exhausted. Big stage is where big time players make big time plays. Now if our offense could just find a big time player. 

Joined: 01/29/2011

MGoPoints: 8502

titanfan11

October 14th, 2017 at 9:07 PM ^

I think even back to last year, when they got really hot at the end, and thinking of just some drunken memories from the Rose Bowl...it felt like a lot of their passing offense was McSorley just tossing up 50/50 balls and their receivers coming down with them.  

Joined: 10/13/2013

MGoPoints: 3255

jdemille9

October 15th, 2017 at 9:26 AM ^

And they came down with an inordinate number of those 50/50 balls, something like 75% which is just absurd. As a previous comment stated their (PSU) offense hasn't looked elite at all to me either. Yeah, they're scoring a ton of points but they haven't played anyone decent yet, save for Iowa in Iowa City (damn pink voodoo lockerrooms). 

I don't think we can win with our offense but I think the D will play well and keep it close enough to be respectable. Still probably a 2 score loss though, 17-6 or something along those lines I think.

Joined: 01/29/2011

MGoPoints: 8502

stephenrjking

October 14th, 2017 at 8:51 PM ^

Given the expectations I think losing a close road game in agonizing fashion is better than getting embarrassed. Not that it would be a moral victory, but it would suggest some quality in the team.

EDIT: I'm not even going to let myself think about how delicious it would be for PSU to come into this game with all of the advantages they have on their side this week and blow it. 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524