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MSU vs. NW: Offense vs. Defense

Michigan State Spartans

Andrew Maxwell - Aaron Burbridge - Damien Proby - David Nwabuisi

Maxwell and Burbridge will have to deal with a Northwestern defense led by Proby and Nwabuisi ...

Andrew Bell

    • There's a solid chance that this turns out to be a breakout game for the Spartan offense. I think this can be Maxwell's best home performance of the year by a long shot, and I was really impressed with what the MSU OL did against Nebraska.

      I do wonder if MSU will be encouraged to use Nick Hill on more than a couple carries. Northwestern is pretty sound fundamentally, but Hill's quickness could be a nice advantage for MSU.

      SpartanRocky ●

    • Decimated secretary present and accounted for.

      attachment

      Misterray

    • Always an important part of the preview and instrumental in the W over Wisconsin.

      One a general note, I hope the fanbase shows up on Saturday. Should be a nice day and guys like McDonald, Norman and Adams played a huge role in MSU's recent successes. Last year's SR day vs. IU was a shame; KC and Co played in front of maybe 60,000 at the peak, no more than 45K were left in the 4th Q.

      Anyways, it should be a very very entertaining game. Neither of these squads has been able to seal the deal often in close games, so you'll be entertained at the very least. I have a hard time seeing MSU going winless at home in the Big 10, especially with a bowl game on the line.

      SpartanRocky ●

    • The season has been 'evil' as I alluded to in one of the tO$U previews...

      It's been like getting gang raped, and much like I would assume somebody getting gang raped feels... I kinda just want it to be over with.

      My Dad who is not into sports at all was visiting for the Nebraska game weekend, and now is pretty much convinced I'm a fucking mad man. I've calmed down so much with the yelling and spazzing the fuck out, and I've gotten to the point where I can handle us effing up and the other team playing out of their minds... but I just can't let it go when the zebras fuck up... ROYALLY. Nice to have had NONE of our goals left in front of us with 2 games left. The Johnny Adams penalty is something I'm probably NEVER going to let go. You just can't call a 7 point and 90 yard penalty on a legal hit... and if the guy was so far out of the play how did he end up almost making the tackle after getting blocked? I can see throwing the flag... I can't see NOT PICKING IT UP once the guy gets into the play even after being blocked.

      Pylon St8ofmind ●

    • Pylon St8ofmind said...

      The season has been 'evil' as I alluded to in one of the tO$U previews...

      It's been like getting gang raped, and much like I would assume somebody getting gang raped feels... I kinda just want it to be over with.

      My Dad who is not into sports at all was visiting for the Nebraska game weekend, and now is pretty much convinced I'm a fucking mad man. I've calmed down so much with the yelling and spazzing the fuck out, and I've gotten to the point where I can handle us effing up and the other team playing out of their minds... but I just can't let it go when the zebras fuck up... ROYALLY. Nice to have had NONE of our goals left in front of us with 2 games left. The Johnny Adams penalty is something I'm probably NEVER going to let go. You just can't call a 7 point and 90 yard penalty on a legal hit... and if the guy was so far out of the play how did he end up almost making the tackle after getting blocked? I can see throwing the flag... I can't see NOT PICKING IT UP once the guy gets into the play even after being blocked.

      I hear your frustrations, but the baseline goal, making a bowl game, is still in play. Quite frankly, thanks to PSU/tOSU's eligibility problems, if MSU wins out it's almost a shoe-in for the Gator Bowl.

      It's not the Rose or a BCS game, but it's a NYD bowl against a ranked SEC opponent. As "evil" as the season has been, that's a great way to end on a positive note with a lot of momentum for '13.

      MSU this season feels a lot like Iowa in '10. Team that has much better talent than their record indicates, undone by some bad bounces. They ended up crushing MSU in the one game that they played to their potential. Wonder if something similar is in store for Northwestern this weekend.

      Don't know why exactly, but I feel much more confident about the next 2 games than I have in about 6 weeks.

      SpartanRocky ●

    • SpartanRocky said...

      I hear your frustrations, but the baseline goal, making a bowl game, is still in play. Quite frankly, thanks to PSU/tOSU's eligibility problems, if MSU wins out it's almost a shoe-in for the Gator Bowl.

      It's not the Rose or a BCS game, but it's a NYD bowl against a ranked SEC opponent. As "evil" as the season has been, that's a great way to end on a positive note with a lot of momentum for '13.

      MSU this season feels a lot like Iowa in '10. Team that has much better talent than their record indicates, undone by some bad bounces. They ended up crushing MSU in the one game that they played to their potential. Wonder if something similar is in store for Northwestern this weekend.

      Don't know why exactly, but I feel much more confident about the next 2 games than I have in about 6 weeks.

      That's a goal like "Yeah I know I totaled my car and broke my leg but at least I didn't die on the ride home" is a goal.

      The Iowa loss is catastrophic, as they are a tepid piss pool in terms of quality.

      This post was edited by Pylon St8ofmind on 11/14/2012 at 4:09 PM

      Pylon St8ofmind ●

    • Pylon St8ofmind said...

      That's a goal like "Yeah I know I totaled my car and broke my leg but at least I didn't die on the ride home".

      The Iowa loss is catastrophic, as they are a tepid piss pool in terms of quality.

      I guess I look at it like this: there's no reason for MSU to double down on their losses. Just because the first 10 games didn't go the way MSU wanted shouldn't be cause for them to just quit the last 2 games. That's the JLS/Bobby Williams Spartans to the T, and I don't think that's what this group and coaching staff is about.

      There are 2 beatable opponents left on the schedule and the chance to end the season on a decent note. The bowl is hugely important for 2013; the offense could use those extra practices.

      It would also be another sign that this group is mentally tougher than fans give them credit for. I certainly thought they were going to get beaten by Wisconsin after 2 straight heartbreaking Ls. I'm not doing to dog their ability to get up off the mat.

      SpartanRocky ●

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      Jlai6709 ●

    • SpartanRocky said...

      I hear your frustrations, but

      Don't know why exactly, but I feel much more confident about the next 2 games than I have in about 6 weeks.

      and you're confident because: Roushar's got laryngitis, fell off a cliff, got run over by the linebackers in practice...?

      Bender

    • Bender said...

      and you're confident because: Roushar's got laryngitis, fell off a cliff, got run over by the linebackers in practice...?

      Besides that lol. MSU was only able to put up 3 points vs. Nebraska last year and Cousins actually played worse than Maxwell in their respective Nebraska games.

      Most impressed with the OL. 238 yards on the ground, 5.5 YPC, 0 sacks given up against a D that averaged 3/game (top 10 nationally). France and Burkland took a step forward in that game.

      Nebraska has some great DBs and a very tough scheme to go up against for a pro-style O. MSU won't see anything close to that against Northwestern.

      So if the OL is opening holes and the passing game gives MSU more . . . . well, that makes me feel optimistic about this match-up.

      The MSU front 7 vs. Nebraska-Lite? That's another story.

      SpartanRocky ●

    • Jlai6709 said...

      I agree this will be an extremely important game both the Spartans and the Wildcats; entertaining is a stretch...unless you're a masochist.

      I'd like to see at least 3 WR end arounds called in the 1st half to keep the DEs honest. Otherwise, they'll crash down on Bell when we line up in our 2 TE sets and render most of our outside stretch runs useless.

      Maxwell also needs to reconnect with Burbridge. He and Mumphrey are the best RAC WRs on our roster. With Maxwell still struggling to complete deep balls, our big plays on O will have to come from our WRs breaking a few tackles on slants and drag routes.

      Yea, Burbridge only has 1 catch in his last 2 games.

      Like I said to Bender, this is a much more favorable match-up through the air for MSU. I wouldn't be surprised if several receivers had big days and I do think Maxwell will be closer to 300 yards than 200.

      SpartanRocky ●

    • This post is for members of SpartanTailgate or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

      Jlai6709 ●

    • This post is for members of SpartanTailgate or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

      SpartanRocky ●

    • SpartanRocky said...

      I hear your frustrations, but the baseline goal, making a bowl game, is still in play. Quite frankly, thanks to PSU/tOSU's eligibility problems, if MSU wins out it's almost a shoe-in for the Gator Bowl.

      It's not the Rose or a BCS game, but it's a NYD bowl against a ranked SEC opponent. As "evil" as the season has been, that's a great way to end on a positive note with a lot of momentum for '13.

      MSU this season feels a lot like Iowa in '10. Team that has much better talent than their record indicates, undone by some bad bounces. They ended up crushing MSU in the one game that they played to their potential. Wonder if something similar is in store for Northwestern this weekend.

      Don't know why exactly, but I feel much more confident about the next 2 games than I have in about 6 weeks.

      Nope

      Nope

      Nope

      Shouldn't have.

      Pylon St8ofmind ●

    • Pylon St8ofmind said...

      Nope

      Nope

      Nope

      Shouldn't have.

      What a dick move on the bump.

      mentalstate ●

    • mentalstate said...

      What a dick move on the bump.

      If it helps, I found this while I was looking for a different post/thread of Rocky's I wanted to be a dick in...

      I'm REALLY fucking sick of hearing, IN ANY WAY, how things are or were OK.

      The plane has crashed into the mountain... man...

      This post was edited by Pylon St8ofmind on 11/19/2012 at 12:49 PM

      Pylon St8ofmind ●

    • Pylon St8ofmind said...

      Nope

      Nope

      Nope

      Shouldn't have.

      Well had in on the 1 yardlines for 7 snaps and couldn't even get a FG out of it. Northwestern hasn't been great in the RZ and 14 of their 15 rushing Tds given up were in the RZ. Not a huge leap to think MSU could punch it in if they got it down there, alas, even more offensive ineptitude ensued.

      Factor in a missed FG and you're looking at 17 points left on the field. Would have been a 22-6 halftime lead, but that's the way the chips fall.

      SpartanRocky ●

    • SpartanRocky said...

      Well had in on the 1 yardlines for 7 snaps and couldn't even get a FG out of it. Northwestern hasn't been great in the RZ and 14 of their 15 rushing Tds given up were in the RZ. Not a huge leap to think MSU could punch it in if they got it down there, alas, even more offensive ineptitude ensued.

      Factor in a missed FG and you're looking at 17 points left on the field. Would have been a 22-6 halftime lead, but that's the way the chips fall.

      I'm just pissed, obviously not at you.

      Painfully reminded me a bit of the Drew Stanton era game @ SS vs Northwestern when we had a ton of red zone turnovers and basically everything on earth that could go wrong did. I think we fumbled trying to jump over the top and they ran it all the way back.

      That being said, I'm blaming you for bringing up "Yards Per Point" as we have to be like Post Skynet attack apocalyptic bad in Yards per Point as we are getting marginal FG kicking, ZERO special teams scores, and no defensive TDs (That aren't bogusly taken away). Plus we keep having these long ass drives that turn into NOTHING.

      Murphy is in disbelief and re-writing his laws right now. This shit is unreal. The total absence of momentum this year is insane.

      We had "some" Mo when we got them to 3rd and 8 and then that facemask penalty killed us, they were in the end zone in like 2 plays after that. And it's EXACTLY that kind of shit that has been the problem.

      If you're going to whiff on the sack when you have him dead to rights could you at least not facemask the QB? Thanks...

      I was freaking out about it at the time, and it was a sign of things to come when we got stoned on the 3rd and 4th and 1 sequence vs BSU in the first game (with the intact OL).

      This post was edited by Pylon St8ofmind on 11/19/2012 at 1:12 PM

      Pylon St8ofmind ●

    • SpartanRocky said...

      Well had in on the 1 yardlines for 7 snaps and couldn't even get a FG out of it. Northwestern hasn't been great in the RZ and 14 of their 15 rushing Tds given up were in the RZ. Not a huge leap to think MSU could punch it in if they got it down there, alas, even more offensive ineptitude ensued.

      Factor in a missed FG and you're looking at 17 points left on the field. Would have been a 22-6 halftime lead, but that's the way the chips fall.

      Well, 20-6 anyway. You don't get the safety if you get the touchdown.

      That was a miserable game to suffer through. You could feel the L coming after the Maxwell fumble in the first f-ing quarter. Good thing we had a great tailgate with many cold beers before and after.

      has been

    • Pylon St8ofmind said...

      I'm just pissed, obviously not at you.

      Painfully reminded me a bit of the Drew Stanton era game @ SS vs Northwestern when we had a ton of red zone turnovers and basically everything on earth that could go wrong did. I think we fumbled trying to jump over the top and they ran it all the way back.

      That being said, I'm blaming you for bringing up "Yards Per Point" as we have to be like Post Skynet attack apocalyptic bad in Yards per Point as we are getting marginal FG kicking, ZERO special teams scores, and no defensive TDs (That aren't bogusly taken away). Plus we keep having these long ass drives that turn into NOTHING.

      Murphy is in disbelief and re-writing his laws right now. This shit is unreal. The total absence of momentum this year is insane.

      We had "some" Mo when we got them to 3rd and 8 and then that facemask penalty killed us, they were in the end zone in like 2 plays after that. And it's EXACTLY that kind of shit that has been the problem.

      If you're going to whiff on the sack when you have him dead to rights could you at least not facemask the QB? Thanks...

      I was freaking out about it at the time, and it was a sign of things to come when we got stoned on the 3rd and 4th and 1 sequence vs BSU in the first game (with the intact OL).

      Yea, it's been a historically bad year for the O YPP (18.5). The worst of the Dantonio era has been around 13.5; that would have MSU at around 27 PPG instead of their sub-20 #.

      0 points on 2 trips to the Northwestern 1? Horrible. It's like the Calvin Johnson 1-yardline tackles from earlier this year.

      Maxwell looked as off as I have seen him this year. 3rd straight game under 50% completion at home. He hasn't been worse than 60% completion on the road, so I kind of expect a big performance for this last game.

      It's like one of those cartoon boats that springs a leak, and when the character puts a finger over the hole, another leak springs up. After a while, you're out of hands/feet to plug and the boat sinks. If I were to chart the descent of the offense:

      Games 1-4: WR issues mainly until Game 3, where MSU loses OL to ND. Conroy missing Fgs

      tOSU: WR issues again and the OL was completely overwhelmed. Seeing the rust on the new members. Running game completely stood up, mostly because of the OL issues. Conroy missed a huge FG.

      IU: Burbridge comes in, sparks O. Maxwell throws multiple TDs and the O actually looks decent. Sims is out.

      Iowa: run-blocking good, pass-blocking bad. Poor play calling in the rain was an issue too, as well as that Bennie Hill play at the end of the first half. Sims is out.

      @UM: run-blocking/Maxwell/ Sims barely plays/Dan France out.

      @Wisconsin: run-blocking, but Maxwell took a step forward. OTs are abused though and France has to play hurt.

      Nebraska; missed FG, pass-blocking was actually great, run-blocking very good, Maxwell looking unsure after a strong start to the game.

      Northwestern: Lack of a 2nd RB and turnovers.

      SpartanRocky ●

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