(http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bruce-almighty-gif)
That is how I am going to describe the MSU performance over EMU. Or as my dad pointed out, the Emu's. Get it? No? It's a play on words.
There was not a lot of positive to take out of it, other than our defense played OK and that Bell and Sims are the only thing keeping us from being 1-3. MSU looks like the 4th best team in the B1G right now. Behind OSU, Northwestern, Nebraska. Penn State might be as good as us as well, they can certainly pass the ball 100% better. Michigan I would put right about next to us as well.
-University of Michigan (no the) did not fair any better than MSU did against Notre Dame. Denard Robinson looked lost (MSU wide receiver level lost). Three of those picks were just plain bad. From what I can tell, Denard had room to scramble more on some of those picks, and maybe should have. Maybe that is the problem with trying to be a "Michigan" quarterback. Just be Denard, the best player in the B1G. Instead of Denard, the less good version of Braxton Miller (I went there). Along with that, the UM line did not live up to what it was once billed to be. That has a lot to do with the Notre Dame front seven being full on legit. Being a mostly outsider looking in on UM, every time I see UM struggle on offense, I think: why don't they just let Denard run the ball and get the juices flowing?
-Seriosuly though, Ohio State? Theye might be the biggest enigma in the B1G even though they appear, right now, to be the best team. For a team that was supposed to have one of the best defenses in the B1G, they love giving up points to wildly inferior opponents. Along with that, the offense is all Braxton. Take away his gashing run plays, and they are much less dynamic. I will break things if MSU loses next week.
-Penn State looked good against Temple. Temple is a solid Big East team (better than Eastern). Allen Robinson, looks like the best wide out in the B1G. McGloin still makes some bone headed passes/attempted passes but seems a lot more accurate when throwing down field. The running game is a bit up in the air right now. However, if the defense finally has turned it on, they could very well win the Leaders.
That was all the B1G I managed to watch.
Did I mention that CBS is ripping off what Pat already wrote? No seriously, Pat wrote this last Thursday. Now if only we could get the readers they do.
So a few things...
ReplyDeleteI actually was encouraged by the play of Michigan's offensive and defensive lines in the game against the Irish. Sure, ND had a few sacks and got some pressure on Denard but usually it was blitzers who weren't picked up by the running back or fullback. Michigan was able to run the ball with consistent success. Michigan's defense played very well holding Notre Dame to 230 total yards. Turnovers are obviously a huge factor in football games but they are the quickest aspect to remedy. Denard has shown enough that I am confident he'll get back to only 1 bonehead decision and interception per game. Even after a turnover debacle and loss, I feel better about Michigan than I have at any point since about 5 minutes into the Alabama game.
If Penn State gets to 6 wins it will be a miracle. They aren't going to come close to winning the Leaders division.
The funny thing about MSU is their defense and Bell are so good that the complete and total lack of a passing game might not cost them many games.
I think Wisconsin is going to be better than anyone thinks. Oregon State just beat UCLA in LA and I think Utah State is one of the better mid major teams in the country.
Nebraska is the same flawed version of itself that it was last season. I think Michigan will probably lose in Lincoln but I don't think the Cornhuskers are anywhere close to a top 10 team.
What's the over/under going to be in this week's OSU/MSU game? Would you bet the over if the number was 20?
Over for sure.
DeleteNebraska has a slightly better running game, and a slightly better passer (though the same QB), making them slightly better than last year. Wisconsin I am sure will be better in conference play.
The defense cant continue to win every game for MSU. After Dantonios press conference from Saturday, if the WR do not make any strides against OSU, I will lose hope.
Dantonio acted like a child in that presser. Most of the questions were dumb but most of the questions are dumb in every press conference. Grow up and answer questions without being an asshole.
DeleteOver for sure? MSU's D is the best unit in the game and the LBers should be able to take away Braxton Miller's opportunities on the outside in the running game. I don't think Miller can sit in the pocket and beat MSU through the air. He may make some things happen when plays breakdown but I don't see him having consistent success against the Spartans.
DeleteAnd as for MSU's offense...they just struggled mightily against Eastern Michigan. Eastern is one of the worst defensive teams in the country. They appear to have zero confidence in Maxwell and the receivers. So it's going to be pound Bell pound which I think maybe play into OSU's hands a little bit. OSU's D isn't quite what they normally are but it's still one of the best defenses in the B1G.
I think two touchdowns may win someone this game.
Dantonio isn't being an ass hole. Its the first time he's ever been actually upset after a win. Here is a good article on that.
ReplyDeleteIf that were hoke your laud him as a great Michigan man with a classic presser.
This is tbone from my phone.
http://michiganstate.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=1412939&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=
First, if I punch your mother in the face do you give me a free pass because it's the first time I did it? That reasoning makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the whole press conference is much of a big deal, it's just another piece of evidence that shows me Dantonio is childish, much like him talking about Mike Hart's stature back in the day. He has a dickish personality. That doesn't mean anything about his ability to coach football.
Would Hoke ever behave like that in a presser? methinks not.