stinger78
Jacket by the grace of God.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2008
- Messages
- 12,542
MSU Offense National Ranking:
#26 Rushing - 204 ypg (185/816/6 TD's/4.4 ypc)
#112 Passing - 152 ypg (54/104/606/5 TD's/5.8 ypa)
#76 Total - 356 ypg
Defenses Faced National Ranking:
Jackson State (FCS) - #37 Total (Pass Eff #27, Rushing #101)
Auburn - #41 Total (Pass Eff #28, Rushing #82)
Vandy - #19 Total (Pass Eff #3, Rushing #87)
LSU - #49 Total (Pass Eff #10, Rushing #65)
AVG - #37 Total (Pass Eff #17, Rushing #84)
GT - #37 Total (Pass Eff #81, Rushing #30)
GT Offense National Ranking:
#4 Rushing - 262 ypg (207/1048/8 TD's/5.1 ypc)
#116 Passing - 125 ypg (24/53/501/2 TD's/9.5 ypa)
#50 Total - 387 ypg
Defenses Faced National Ranking:
JSU (FCS) - #56 Total (Pass Eff #76, Rushing #76)
Clemson - #26 Total (Pass Eff #9, Rushing #74)
Miami - #50 Total (Pass Eff #89, Rushing #86)
UNC - #14 Total (Pass Eff #17, Rushing #49)
AVG - #37 Total (Pass Eff #48, Rushing #71)
MSU - #31 Total (Pass Eff #31, Rushing #56)
Offensively, MSU is more run-oriented, but can pass the ball when necessary. The average rushing D's they've faced (#84) are not close to what GT's is (#30). However, the passing D's they've faced (#17) are much better than GT's (#81).
On the surface, this looks like a good matchup for us. However, JSU, Clemson, Miami and UNC are all pass-oriented teams. This affects our stats, and makes our Pass D look worse, and our rush D look better. MSU's rushing game is likely to really challenge our rushing D, however, the change back to the 4-3 helped last week slowing Draughn and Houston, and without the threat of the pass we've seen in every game to date, our rushing D should be improved still more. The average D they've faced is the same as our national average, so 200 ground yards and 150 passing yards might be a rough expectation for them. That's a chunk o' yards to give up, so our guys better come ready to play.
The key for GT on D will be to contain Dixon (68/328/4.7 ypc). He's the workhorse, and had the big run last year that MSU failed to capitalize on after the FG block. They will run him early and often. We have to shut him down. Beyond him, it looks like the backup QB, Chris Relf, (30/182/6.1 ypc) and RB Christian Ducree (26/130/5.0 ypc) are the main guys running the ball. Starting QB Tyson Lee doesn't look to be much of a threat running the ball (17/40/2.4 ypc). They have 5 other players with a few carries each. Still, they have some guys who can tote the rock, and our front 7 will have to come to play. Saturday night in rural Mississippi can be an interesting place, I'm sure, so Burnett and Co. will have provide some strong run support from the DB's.
Defensively, MSU's D is just slightly better than the D's we've faced, but it's really close to about the same. Interesting how even both D's are to the average of the teams already played. We all know about our weapons: Dwyer, Nesbitt, Jones, Allen, Thomas, et al. They will get another chance to show up against another good rushing D.
The key for MSU on D will be to penetrate, blow up plays in the backfield, and to play good position D, stringing out the pitch and forcing Nesbitt to keep the ball. However, seeing some of the new wrinkles we saw Saturday (counter draw, for example), they will have to maintain gap control along the LOS as well. No one knows how well they will do until toe meets leather, but practicing against an option-type offense is bound to help this year as opposed to last year. Their D has recorded 5 sacks and 21 TFL so far this season, so they can penetrate. They have recorded only 3 INT's with 1 TD this year. While they appear to have a stout front 7, I'm wondering if they may not be somewhat vulnerable through the air. Bebe and Hill, are you listening?
On ST's, MSU's main punt return man, Leon Berry (6/58/9.7 ypr) appears to be solid. Oddly enough, they have a guy with -0- returns for 1 TD. <shrug> I suppose that means he recoverd a fumbled return in the EZ for a TD. Berry (15/350/23 ypr) again seems to be the main man on KOR's, adn appears to do a good job. No TD's recorded yet on KOR. Their FG kicker is 6/8 and their punter averages 43 yards/punt.
This one looks to be pretty close on paper. Given how last year's game played out, I hope our guys give it the seriousness it requires. I think PJ will keep them focused, but we've had some notorious let downs in the past year (UVA, G-W, LSU and Miami). I like the workmanlike attitude this team is developing. They are not always pretty, but (Miami excluded) they are just getting it done. Last Saturday's game against UNC was a masterpiece of option ball control. Let's hope the Miami game proves more and more to be an aberration driven by the fatigue of 3 games in 12 days.
I think, even though we are not a passing team, MSU's pass D may be their undoing. We live and die by the big possession pass, and if they cannot stop the big tandem of Bebe and Hill (and Allen) on possesion downs, they may not touch the ball enough to win the game. OTOH, we cannot continue to fire blanks in the Red Zone.
This should be a great college football game in a great college venue. Like BDS, Scott Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in college ball. Saturday night will be a war, but the Jackets should emerge with a 3-10 point win.
#26 Rushing - 204 ypg (185/816/6 TD's/4.4 ypc)
#112 Passing - 152 ypg (54/104/606/5 TD's/5.8 ypa)
#76 Total - 356 ypg
Defenses Faced National Ranking:
Jackson State (FCS) - #37 Total (Pass Eff #27, Rushing #101)
Auburn - #41 Total (Pass Eff #28, Rushing #82)
Vandy - #19 Total (Pass Eff #3, Rushing #87)
LSU - #49 Total (Pass Eff #10, Rushing #65)
AVG - #37 Total (Pass Eff #17, Rushing #84)
GT - #37 Total (Pass Eff #81, Rushing #30)
GT Offense National Ranking:
#4 Rushing - 262 ypg (207/1048/8 TD's/5.1 ypc)
#116 Passing - 125 ypg (24/53/501/2 TD's/9.5 ypa)
#50 Total - 387 ypg
Defenses Faced National Ranking:
JSU (FCS) - #56 Total (Pass Eff #76, Rushing #76)
Clemson - #26 Total (Pass Eff #9, Rushing #74)
Miami - #50 Total (Pass Eff #89, Rushing #86)
UNC - #14 Total (Pass Eff #17, Rushing #49)
AVG - #37 Total (Pass Eff #48, Rushing #71)
MSU - #31 Total (Pass Eff #31, Rushing #56)
Offensively, MSU is more run-oriented, but can pass the ball when necessary. The average rushing D's they've faced (#84) are not close to what GT's is (#30). However, the passing D's they've faced (#17) are much better than GT's (#81).
On the surface, this looks like a good matchup for us. However, JSU, Clemson, Miami and UNC are all pass-oriented teams. This affects our stats, and makes our Pass D look worse, and our rush D look better. MSU's rushing game is likely to really challenge our rushing D, however, the change back to the 4-3 helped last week slowing Draughn and Houston, and without the threat of the pass we've seen in every game to date, our rushing D should be improved still more. The average D they've faced is the same as our national average, so 200 ground yards and 150 passing yards might be a rough expectation for them. That's a chunk o' yards to give up, so our guys better come ready to play.
The key for GT on D will be to contain Dixon (68/328/4.7 ypc). He's the workhorse, and had the big run last year that MSU failed to capitalize on after the FG block. They will run him early and often. We have to shut him down. Beyond him, it looks like the backup QB, Chris Relf, (30/182/6.1 ypc) and RB Christian Ducree (26/130/5.0 ypc) are the main guys running the ball. Starting QB Tyson Lee doesn't look to be much of a threat running the ball (17/40/2.4 ypc). They have 5 other players with a few carries each. Still, they have some guys who can tote the rock, and our front 7 will have to come to play. Saturday night in rural Mississippi can be an interesting place, I'm sure, so Burnett and Co. will have provide some strong run support from the DB's.
Defensively, MSU's D is just slightly better than the D's we've faced, but it's really close to about the same. Interesting how even both D's are to the average of the teams already played. We all know about our weapons: Dwyer, Nesbitt, Jones, Allen, Thomas, et al. They will get another chance to show up against another good rushing D.
The key for MSU on D will be to penetrate, blow up plays in the backfield, and to play good position D, stringing out the pitch and forcing Nesbitt to keep the ball. However, seeing some of the new wrinkles we saw Saturday (counter draw, for example), they will have to maintain gap control along the LOS as well. No one knows how well they will do until toe meets leather, but practicing against an option-type offense is bound to help this year as opposed to last year. Their D has recorded 5 sacks and 21 TFL so far this season, so they can penetrate. They have recorded only 3 INT's with 1 TD this year. While they appear to have a stout front 7, I'm wondering if they may not be somewhat vulnerable through the air. Bebe and Hill, are you listening?
On ST's, MSU's main punt return man, Leon Berry (6/58/9.7 ypr) appears to be solid. Oddly enough, they have a guy with -0- returns for 1 TD. <shrug> I suppose that means he recoverd a fumbled return in the EZ for a TD. Berry (15/350/23 ypr) again seems to be the main man on KOR's, adn appears to do a good job. No TD's recorded yet on KOR. Their FG kicker is 6/8 and their punter averages 43 yards/punt.
This one looks to be pretty close on paper. Given how last year's game played out, I hope our guys give it the seriousness it requires. I think PJ will keep them focused, but we've had some notorious let downs in the past year (UVA, G-W, LSU and Miami). I like the workmanlike attitude this team is developing. They are not always pretty, but (Miami excluded) they are just getting it done. Last Saturday's game against UNC was a masterpiece of option ball control. Let's hope the Miami game proves more and more to be an aberration driven by the fatigue of 3 games in 12 days.
I think, even though we are not a passing team, MSU's pass D may be their undoing. We live and die by the big possession pass, and if they cannot stop the big tandem of Bebe and Hill (and Allen) on possesion downs, they may not touch the ball enough to win the game. OTOH, we cannot continue to fire blanks in the Red Zone.
This should be a great college football game in a great college venue. Like BDS, Scott Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in college ball. Saturday night will be a war, but the Jackets should emerge with a 3-10 point win.
