I never read anything before Sunday night on game weekends. Good or bad it is all too tainted with emotion and I get all fired up when really I just may be misreading what someone states. Or, as in the case of the stadium expansion. I go back and forth with someone where we are arguing the same thing.
But here are three game items that are still with me this Sunday night.
1. It doesn't matter how good a skill group or your line is, if the opponent knows what you are going to do. OSU bumbled a bit after a fast start, but ultimately, Michigan knew we were going to run, so unless we complete some passes and pull them out, boom... offense stutters.
2. As Coach Andersen said when he got hired, part of your defense is your offense. The OSU defense held Michigan to 10 points and 130 yards prior to the snap heard 'round the world. They were very much up for the task and guys like Mageo, Strong, Saulo and Titus were making great plays and open field tackles. Then, you get 8 offensive plays in a quarter and all the sudden your defense looks bad. It happened to the ducks, when they gave up the last TD while MSU just ran through tackle after tackle. Then the offense got going, gave the defense a break and all the sudden it was harder (that and MSU all the sudden calling crazy crap that wasn't working.) to move the ball. A tired defense will never all the sudden get better.
3. Being realistic, I think the coaches need to play all three QB's this week. The way they have handled McMaryion and the situations they have put him on the field have been weird, but they need to find someone that can get it done behind center. I think McMaryion needs a shot when the game is young, and more than just a play or two (or a screen pass into man coverage). I think Mitchell needs a shot. Ideally, I think Collins would be a great answer if he could consistently pass, but his passing needs work. So if he was the coaches guy, I am not sure I would take him out in a game that was out of hand late. Call the plays he was not getting and see if he can start to get completions and work the ball around. Ultimately, they need to try out all three or just pick one and stick with them hell or high water.
I am not a coach, and there is probably more to it than I know. I also haven't gone through the film yet, so who the heck knows. But those were the three things that stuck with me. The defense is better than we saw in the second half. Unfortunately no one will see it unless the offense can be more consistent. The offense needs to be more versatile to be consistent and we need to be able to pass. (and run to open field, not just to a pile). Do that and we will win some games. Lighting up terrible teams doesn't mean much, but when you play a tough team in a tough environment, it magnifies your strengths and weaknesses. Our coaches were prepared and so were the players (as we saw early on) we just need to execute. This season is a lot like 2011 to be honest, we just need a QB to step up and take the job. Right now I think they all three deserve a shot.
But here are three game items that are still with me this Sunday night.
1. It doesn't matter how good a skill group or your line is, if the opponent knows what you are going to do. OSU bumbled a bit after a fast start, but ultimately, Michigan knew we were going to run, so unless we complete some passes and pull them out, boom... offense stutters.
2. As Coach Andersen said when he got hired, part of your defense is your offense. The OSU defense held Michigan to 10 points and 130 yards prior to the snap heard 'round the world. They were very much up for the task and guys like Mageo, Strong, Saulo and Titus were making great plays and open field tackles. Then, you get 8 offensive plays in a quarter and all the sudden your defense looks bad. It happened to the ducks, when they gave up the last TD while MSU just ran through tackle after tackle. Then the offense got going, gave the defense a break and all the sudden it was harder (that and MSU all the sudden calling crazy crap that wasn't working.) to move the ball. A tired defense will never all the sudden get better.
3. Being realistic, I think the coaches need to play all three QB's this week. The way they have handled McMaryion and the situations they have put him on the field have been weird, but they need to find someone that can get it done behind center. I think McMaryion needs a shot when the game is young, and more than just a play or two (or a screen pass into man coverage). I think Mitchell needs a shot. Ideally, I think Collins would be a great answer if he could consistently pass, but his passing needs work. So if he was the coaches guy, I am not sure I would take him out in a game that was out of hand late. Call the plays he was not getting and see if he can start to get completions and work the ball around. Ultimately, they need to try out all three or just pick one and stick with them hell or high water.
I am not a coach, and there is probably more to it than I know. I also haven't gone through the film yet, so who the heck knows. But those were the three things that stuck with me. The defense is better than we saw in the second half. Unfortunately no one will see it unless the offense can be more consistent. The offense needs to be more versatile to be consistent and we need to be able to pass. (and run to open field, not just to a pile). Do that and we will win some games. Lighting up terrible teams doesn't mean much, but when you play a tough team in a tough environment, it magnifies your strengths and weaknesses. Our coaches were prepared and so were the players (as we saw early on) we just need to execute. This season is a lot like 2011 to be honest, we just need a QB to step up and take the job. Right now I think they all three deserve a shot.
