Michigan State Dinged Up

[Knight Shift]

RJ Williamson, safety, out till end of season.

Demetrious Cox being moved from CB to safety.
Montae Nicholson, who has struggled, is their second safety.

Their secondary is pretty green, and Dantonio may activate some true freshman.

Reserve Left Tackled Dennis Finley out due to broken tibia suffered against Purdue.

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/c.../10/04/michigan-state-rj-williamson/73353644/

 

[RCBeta79]

Sounds like all we need is for our Quarterback to throw downfield to set up the run....and we have a chance to win against Michigan State at home.

 

[ArminRU]

If it were linebackers, Laviano would be in business.

 

[Knight Shift]

WMU had 365 of 383 yards through the air.
Oregon had 309 yards of passing.
Air Force put up 149 yards of passing on 6 completions.
Purdue only had 136 of 301 yards passing.

Would seem that passing is the way to attack MSU. What will RU do? Be a run first offense?

 

[RU-ROCS]

RJ Williamson, safety, out till end of season.

Demetrious Cox being moved from CB to safety.
Montae Nicholson, who has struggled, is their second safety.

Their secondary is pretty green, and Dantonio may activate some true freshman.

Reserve Left Tackled Dennis Finley out due to broken tibia suffered against Purdue.

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/c.../10/04/michigan-state-rj-williamson/73353644/

Cry me a river. Our starting secondary is out for the year with suspensions, leaving a bunch of freshman to start, our best defensive player and captain is out for the year with an injury and our best offensive player is suspended indefinitely. Oh, and we don't have our head coach.

 

[BrickyardGreen]

Best LB out for the season, best CB out for the season, both OT's have been out the past couple games, then the new starter at left OT broke his leg. Not sure if the OT's will be back this weekend. TE was out last week, now S is out. Will be lot's of new guys playing this week.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

WMU had 365 of 383 yards through the air.
Oregon had 309 yards of passing.
Air Force put up 149 yards of passing on 6 completions.
Purdue only had 136 of 301 yards passing.

Would seem that passing is the way to attack MSU. What will RU do? Be a run first offense?

Absolutely will be "run first." No doubt in my mind. WMU ton of yards in 2nd half IIRC. Air Force is a different beast (just like Army and Navy, when they complete passes, it tends to be for big chunks of yardage). Regardless, we'll run first.

 

[toby83]

their starting center played at tackle for first time in his career this past week. with week of practice these guys that switched on the line will be steadier, even if those other two don't come back.

 

[Knight Shift]

Absolutely will be "run first." No doubt in my mind. WMU ton of yards in 2nd half IIRC. Air Force is a different beast (just like Army and Navy, when they complete passes, it tends to be for big chunks of yardage). Regardless, we'll run first.

Do you agree with this?

Would think we should mix it up and try to establish a passing game.

 

[RU31trap]

We really had some bad luck this year. The arrests, Caroo and coaches suspension. If none of this happened and we were at full strength I believe the game could be winnable. But that's not our reality so we need play hard with the players we put on the field. Barring another catastrophe next year we should be good. Yes good enough to challenge for the number three or four spot next year.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Do you agree with this?

Would think we should mix it up and try to establish a passing game.

I would HOPE we come out throwing but, we are what we are, and that's a run-first team, so we'll see. MSU D-Line/LB's are still damn good so will the OL be able to protect Laviano and give him enough time to find his guys downfield against a damaged/weaker secondary?

 

[Knight Shift]

I would HOPE we come out throwing but, we are what we are, and that's a run-first team, so we'll see. MSU D-Line/LB's are still damn good so will the OL be able to protect Laviano and give him enough time to find his guys downfield against a damaged/weaker secondary?

Good question. But since it is just you and I talking, I will be pissed if it is run on first down, second down then pass on third down the whole game. Hopefully, Laviano can roll out and avoid the rush to get something going with the pass game, and if he can't, it will be a Penn State type of night.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

Do you agree with this?

Would think we should mix it up and try to establish a passing game.

Goodwin, PJ, and Bergen on screens out of the backfield. All have great hands, and all run well or very well with the ball.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Stop and think how awesome it WILL be to defeat a top 5 team in HPSS this Saturday!

MSU is vulnerable. You know it, they know it. Rutgers has the wide receivers to exploit the MSU secondary. IF, we can provide pass protection(I am calling you out #77), we have a shot to prove to the naysayers that yeah, hell yeah, we belong.

It's time to believe !!!!

 

[RutgersRaRa]

Stop and think how awesome it WILL be to defeat a top 5 team in HPSS this Saturday!

MSU is vulnerable. You know it, they know it. Rutgers has the wide receivers to exploit the MSU secondary. IF, we can provide pass protection(I am calling you out #77), we have a shot to prove to the naysayers that yeah, hell yeah, we belong.

It's time to believe !!!!

And don't forget the all-important mantra!!

 

[toby83]

MSU will take note that Laviano ran for four first downs last week, was quick to give up on some plays and looked to run...

 

[Southern Gentleman]

And don't forget the all-important mantra!!

You know I was talking about Arkansas when I kept saying........"we suck"!

Alabama will probably beat the Hogs 84-10 this weekend. That's because......."we suck"!

 

[RutgersRaRa]

You know I was talking about Arkansas when I kept saying........"we suck"!

Alabama will probably beat the Hogs 84-10 this weekend. That's because......."we suck"!

Please, for the love of everything holy, save some of that expression for us!! It just isn't fair for you to hog it all, if you catch my drift.

 

[BoogieKnight]

We really had some bad luck this year. The arrests, Caroo and coaches suspension. If none of this happened and we were at full strength I believe the game could be winnable. But that's not our reality so we need play hard with the players we put on the field. Barring another catastrophe next year we should be good. Yes good enough to challenge for the number three or four spot next year.

It's not bad luck...it's stupidity. Bad luck is suffering a rash of injuries to key players, which is out of players/coaches control. RU's wounds are all self inflicted. Flood did something wrong, put it in writing and got caught. Carroo should not have ran into that parking lot. Barnwell should have done his schoolwork. Peele and Stephenson should have not been involved in a street fight the night of the spring game. And we are not other programs. We are under a stronger microscope than any of our peers. Our media wants us to screw up. Local politicians want us to screw up. Our academic community wants us to screw up. Current/former disgruntled athletic department employees want us to screw up. The HC of our program, whomever it is, needs to be aware of this and in complete control of all these detractors and not give them any ammo.

 

[RUich]

Seems to me that when you get a bye, it gives you a week to devise some new twists and then another week to practice them. It simply makes no sense to just trot out the offense we have been using and hope for a good result against a top 10 team.

 

[Bill 86]

Sounds like all we need is for our Quarterback to throw downfield to set up the run....and we have a chance to win against Michigan State at home.

Yeah because throwing downfield is all that matters. The whole premise of the WCO is using the pass to set up the run. That includes the boundary, the flats, the seems,etc. Going deep is just another area to target. Just making defenses defend and respect the whole field in all directions sets opens up the running lanes.

 

[RUforJERSEY]

WMU had 365 of 383 yards through the air.
Oregon had 309 yards of passing.
Air Force put up 149 yards of passing on 6 completions.
Purdue only had 136 of 301 yards passing.

Would seem that passing is the way to attack MSU. What will RU do? Be a run first offense?

RU will run on every first down vs. a defense stacking the box with with 8 or 9 of course.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

We really had some bad luck this year. The arrests, Caroo and coaches suspension. If none of this happened and we were at full strength I believe the game could be winnable. But that's not our reality so we need play hard with the players we put on the field. Barring another catastrophe next year we should be good. Yes good enough to challenge for the number three or four spot next year.

It's not bad luck...it's stupidity. Bad luck is suffering a rash of injuries to key players, which is out of players/coaches control. RU's wounds are all self inflicted. Flood did something wrong, put it in writing and got caught. Carroo should not have ran into that parking lot. Barnwell should have done his schoolwork. Peele and Stephenson should have not been involved in a street fight the night of the spring game. And we are not other programs. We are under a stronger microscope than any of our peers. Our media wants us to screw up. Local politicians want us to screw up. Our academic community wants us to screw up. Current/former disgruntled athletic department employees want us to screw up. The HC of our program, whomever it is, needs to be aware of this and in complete control of all these detractors and not give them any ammo.

To add:


IMHO it's also about our depth issues. QUALITY "depth" issues Good programs lose starters to suspensions, injuries, et al, but have kids ready to step in, and step up, without looking completely overwhelmed and lost out there. People "excuses" back-to-back-to-back lousy classes with "well, we have gaping holes left by Greg...," which is true, but that doesn't mean we didn't go after many better kids, at many positions, and come up empty - we did - and those 3 years are starting to catch up on us and, unfortunately, will likely play havoc with us for a few seasons.

We should be "good" next year? What, like 6-6 good? I'll give you that much - maybe - but nothing else based on what we've seen, so far, no way, and I could be being a tad generous (for now). Tougher slate, too, IMHO. People think adding a B1G school, and switching to Iowa/Illinois/Minny, is going to be easier, but it really isn't as Iowa is going to be loaded next year and is already showing stepping up right now. Illinois is showing signs of life and, Minny on the road, not-so-fast my friend! Oh, then there's the swapping of The Huskies over Apple Cup rival Wazzou, yet another "step up" on the slate, and 6 will be a difficult haul next season as well.

 

[DHajekRC84]

RU will run on every first down vs. a defense stacking the box with with 8 or 9 of course.

unfortunately very true. and HIGHLY frustrating.

 

[DJ Spanky]

RU will run on every first down vs. a defense stacking the box with with 8 or 9 of course.

unfortunately very true. and HIGHLY frustrating.

Good god, I hope not. Especially given their injury situation.

 

[WhiteBus]

WMU had 365 of 383 yards through the air.
Oregon had 309 yards of passing.
Air Force put up 149 yards of passing on 6 completions.
Purdue only had 136 of 301 yards passing.

Would seem that passing is the way to attack MSU. What will RU do? Be a run first offense?

Run first down, run second down, screen third down, punt!

 

[Rokodesh]

Spread is down to -14.5 for them, with the money line dropping, guess it's coming because gamblers have seen they aren't good at covering. Could be a trap.

 

[CuredbywinningRU]

unfortunately very true. and HIGHLY frustrating.

Exactly - we know it, every fan knows it and MSU knows it but we will do that. Heck, we would do that even if we didn't have a starting QB with a HS JV arm.

 

[ag67]

To add:


IMHO it's also about our depth issues. QUALITY "depth" issues Good programs lose starters to suspensions, injuries, et al, but have kids ready to step in, and step up, without looking completely overwhelmed and lost out there. People "excuses" back-to-back-to-back lousy classes with "well, we have gaping holes left by Greg...," which is true, but that doesn't mean we didn't go after many better kids, at many positions, and come up empty - we did - and those 3 years are starting to catch up on us and, unfortunately, will likely play havoc with us for a few seasons.

We should be "good" next year? What, like 6-6 good? I'll give you that much - maybe - but nothing else based on what we've seen, so far, no way, and I could be being a tad generous (for now). Tougher slate, too, IMHO. People think adding a B1G school, and switching to Iowa/Illinois/Minny, is going to be easier, but it really isn't as Iowa is going to be loaded next year and is already showing stepping up right now. Illinois is showing signs of life and, Minny on the road, not-so-fast my friend! Oh, then there's the swapping of The Huskies over Apple Cup rival Wazzou, yet another "step up" on the slate, and 6 will be a difficult haul next season as well.

I give you a ton of credit for coming back to this board and posting with class.

I understand this is how you legitimately see the situation. I am not sure however how many teams of any type can replace half or more of the defensive back field 2-deep, in addition to their best offensive and defensive weapons, without missing a beat. I think most teams would take a major hit in this situation.

You can blame the coach for the defensive situation, and you are at least partially right. I don't see it as something we can expect regularly under his watch, and I assume you do.

I see our depth as increasing rapidly under his tutelage, and you don't. If he hadn't built some db depth, for instance; we would be in a worse situation than we were in 2013. Most of the evaluations of the guys we have left that I see say they are already playing at a decent level. Doing that in just 3 weeks of playing together is a major feat IMO.

 

[beaced]

All gifts are appreciated. I hope all of their injured guys have rapid AFTER our game.

 

[mullerpesq]

OL Finley is listed as having an undisclosed and questionable for the game but if his tibia is broken as the OP said, he's out.
OT Conklin doubtful with a knee.
OT Kieler out with a leg...he's been out for a few weeks.
The other new one is WR King questionable with an undisclosed.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Spread is down to -14.5 for them, with the money line dropping, guess it's coming because gamblers have seen they aren't good at covering. Could be a trap.

Watch the 1st half line get HEAVY play. They've been up comfortable in most games then get very conservative and complacent, in 2nd halves, and weaker teams make comebacks.

 

[shields]

Throw on first down please!

 

[RUTrack94]

Throw on first down please!

RU no comprende

 

[jay_hq]

were gonna exploit their weaknesses the same way we exploited penn states absolutely terrible offensive line........

 

[Ru2bnj]

RU will probably try to throw on the earlier downs a little more in this game. They are not going to change what they are and neither will MSU. It's going to be difficult to run on MSU, the front 7 is good ...even with some of the injuries. Their secondary is younger...similar to RU. I still think RU is just a full level below from a talent perspective and that over the course of the game usually is the biggest factor.

 

[mildone]

And don't forget the all-important mantra!!

How could I ever forget the all-important mantra: "You can have my internet porn when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers".

 

[mildone]

It's not bad luck...it's stupidity. Bad luck is suffering a rash of injuries to key players, which is out of players/coaches control. RU's wounds are all self inflicted. Flood did something wrong, put it in writing and got caught. Carroo should not have ran into that parking lot. Barnwell should have done his schoolwork. Peele and Stephenson should have not been involved in a street fight the night of the spring game. And we are not other programs. We are under a stronger microscope than any of our peers. Our media wants us to screw up. Local politicians want us to screw up. Our academic community wants us to screw up. Current/former disgruntled athletic department employees want us to screw up. The HC of our program, whomever it is, needs to be aware of this and in complete control of all these detractors and not give them any ammo.

He was speaking as a fan, not as the coach, or the team, or as a player.

While it might be stupidity from a player, team or coach standpoint, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a fan claiming that we have had bad luck this season. It's not like, as fans, we had any control over these events. So from our perspective, it's bad luck regardless of who you want to assign blame.

 

[tm_nj]

Run first down, run second down, screen third down, punt!

The Rich Kotite offense. "We want to win now so we hired Rich Kotite!"

 

[RU#1fan]

Sounds like all we need is for our Quarterback to throw downfield to set up the run....and we have a chance to win against Michigan State at home.

Sounds like an plan.
Too bad we don't have someone to do this. Or do we ?