Michigan 29, MSU 7, Post Game Discussion

[Tom W]

If O'Korn was a MSU mole, then yes, Sparty was the better team that night.

But enjoy watching THAT replay, since the odds of this year's game being similar don't look good for you.

[lineygoblue]

I think Sparty is going to throw some stuff (likely barnyard refuse) at Michigan early on. They'll have some different defensive looks, and probaby some gadget offensive plays. They'll have to do something because there is no way they're going to out-slug Michigan in a physical ballgame. Not happening.

Well, they could out slug illegally, (i.e. cheap shots) which I wouldn't put past them, but in a game played by the rules, they have no chance. OSU plays cleaner than MSU.

I think M's going to show some new wrinkles too.

[THE_WIZARD_]

fuckin' barnyard refuse

[lineygoblue]

fuckin' barnyard refuse

Yeah. That's why their uniform colors are the same as Waste Management.

waste-management-logo-business-png-favpng-an9JkWmzFy7kvJ6n8Fk94nKca.jpg

[Tom W]

It's also been pretty well understood (and noted) among this group that Sparty almost always brings their best game of the season to this series.

Less well noted is that they have a strong tendency to fall flat on their faces in the next game- year in and year out.

That's the character of Sparty.

[froot loops]

It actually wasn't in the character during Dantonio. He cleaned that up. It certainly was the case prior to Dantonio. It's hard to say with Tucker, they did lose at Purdue the next week but Purdue did what any team with a passing game did to that team.

MSU might give them their best game, but seeing how bad they have been this year I'm not sure that means much.

[Tom W]

It means that they will lose. Probably pretty badly.

That's good by me.

[WingsFan]

I was just pointing out Jeff left out another loss to Sparty when Michigan was a huge favorite, no excuses for that game. M should have been up comfortably before the downpour, John O'Korn wasn't going to do anything after that besides becoming friends with " OP/The Prime" in real life.

[lineygoblue]

It had to happen. It was only a matter of time.

https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2022/10/stressed-out-over-rivalry-week-these-cannabis-products-are-michigan-msu-themed.html?utm_campaign=wolverines_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2hlQgh5lhg5UwsL1nJdYAXoXtqG4sZi64swJLEZpF1RscxsA1sV0uW8k0

O7IQPYPBWZA3LIRRJEARCSQKXY.jpg

[klondike]

If O'Korn was a MSU mole, then yes, Sparty was the better team that night.

But enjoy watching THAT replay, since the odds of this year's game being similar don't look good for you.

Maybe Tuck will unleash the veer on an unsuspecting M&B

[lineygoblue]

... or the single wing

[lineygoblue]

A pretty decent interview with Mike Hart, regarding his health and the 'little brother' thing.

https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/10/mike-hart-talks-health-michigan-state-rivalry-in-first-interview-after-sideline-scare.html?utm_campaign=wolverines_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2efkjLSUGq_oviNk6B9yTvA-s_KW2qG04i4sQTl9vcUGF8nDU6XnSzMaw

[Jeff Buchanan]

mgo did it's UFR Offense PSU. Nothing startling. Brian does these things in excruciating detail, which I suppose I should love that writing style. The shitty performance of a heretofore pretty good defense was not a result of a low level of competition that boosted their metrics. Brian thought they were legitimately good but the offensive brain trust exploited Manny Diaz's tendencies. Manny is a risk taker that coaches aggression. The front 7 routinely charged upfield looking for TFLs leaving huge gaps and open grass if the OL blocking is good. For the most part it was with a few exceptions. Result: big chunk plays by Edwards, Corum and McCarthy (on a properly read keeper!!!).

M's offense uses all kinds of formations and since the start of the season runs varying plays - both run and pass - designed to fool a defense prepped for one outcome as the play unfolds and find they are overcommitted to it. This is especially true in the run game where Corum's ability to change gaps with his cut backs can be a killer for a defense that tends to over-pursue up-filed. I would expect that Tucker will have scouted M's run game thoroughly and will probably do better than Manny Diaz's defense did v. the run.

Hopefully, we'll see more pass plays on non-standard downs to keep the chains moving. MSU's D may be more cautious about committing to the threat of JJ's legs. PSU was all over that and it presented opportunities to exploit the hesitation. JJ's legs on a RO are still a threat that has to be accounted for, not overused but in the tool box. If MSU's D shows up not getting penetration up front, M should avantage that with more intermediate and deep throws. JJ missed a couple of open receivers on well designed plays where it wasn't clear why he didn't throw to that guy???? More play-action would be nice and less pistol v. MSU.

I haven't seen anything this week that changes my score prediction: Final: 44-24, M........ at the half: 23-21, M

[lineygoblue]

It looks like McNamara is getting close to a return. If he travels with the team to Rutgers next week, we'll know. When he's available, I look for McCarthy to be given more opportunities to keep on the option. He's been absolutely wide open on some option plays, but has given the ball to Edwards or Corum instead.

[froot loops]

mgo did it's UFR Offense PSU. Nothing startling. Brian does these things in excruciating detail, which I suppose I should love that writing style. The shitty performance of a heretofore pretty good defense was not a result of a low level of competition that boosted their metrics. Brian thought they were legitimately good but the offensive brain trust exploited Manny Diaz's tendencies. Manny is a risk taker that coaches aggression. The front 7 routinely charged upfield looking for TFLs leaving huge gaps and open grass if the OL blocking is good. For the most part it was with a few exceptions. Result: big chunk plays by Edwards, Corum and McCarthy (on a properly read keeper!!!).

M's offense uses all kinds of formations and since the start of the season runs varying plays - both run and pass - designed to fool a defense prepped for one outcome as the play unfolds and find they are overcommitted to it. This is especially true in the run game where Corum's ability to change gaps with his cut backs can be a killer for a defense that tends to over-pursue up-filed. I would expect that Tucker will have scouted M's run game thoroughly and will probably do better than Manny Diaz's defense did v. the run.

Hopefully, we'll see more pass plays on non-standard downs to keep the chains moving. MSU's D may be more cautious about committing to the threat of JJ's legs. PSU was all over that and it presented opportunities to exploit the hesitation. JJ's legs on a RO are still a threat that has to be accounted for, not overused but in the tool box. If MSU's D shows up not getting penetration up front, M should avantage that with more intermediate and deep throws. JJ missed a couple of open receivers on well designed plays where it wasn't clear why he didn't throw to that guy???? More play-action would be nice and less pistol v. MSU.

I haven't seen anything this week that changes my score prediction: Final: 44-24, M........ at the half: 23-21, M

The Spartans have been horribly vanilla this year. Prior to Xavier Henderson coming back any motion stumped the team like I have never seen, busted coverages everywhere. Washington really took advantage of it but it was a problem for every game until Wisconsin when Henderaon and Slade came back. But that's Wisconsin, Graham Mertz isn't going to take advantage of that weakness. Henderson is the brains behind the secondary so they hope that isn't the weakness it was