Am I falling for it again?

[aTotal360]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

 

[Darryl Steight]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

I agree, I'm sick of hearing that every year and then nothing changes later in the season... HOWEVER, it did actually look like we weren't trying very hard to scheme for sacks. I don't believe it was because we didn't want to show MN anything - I think it's more likely that Arnett wanted to see what these guys could do. Like, let's not give the DL any help and tell them to get to work.

I think we're going to have to send some help from the LB position to get pressure on good teams.

But overall, there is no doubt we are better on the DL. No doubt. Just how much better - we might know a little Saturday, because they will scheme us.

 

[Howiefeltersnstch]

Yeah. I wasnt very impressed with our defense. It was okay but not what I expected against ULM. If it had been a quslity opponent I would say thry were good. Im concerned about stopping the run next Saturday. Of course its possible that each week they will improve.

 

[Shmuley]

That pick 6 is going to hit so hard

 

[Drebin]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

I still think we will have problems on defense. The starting unit up front is uninspiring and there is a steep dropoff after that. We can't afford injuries and we're going to have to score a lot of points and figure out ways to keep the offense on the field.

 

[8dog]

I still think we will have problems on defense. The starting unit up front is uninspiring and there is a steep dropoff after that. We can't afford injuries and we're going to have to score a lot of points and figure out ways to keep the offense on the field.

Agree. I didn’t love the front 7 at all. I know Tillman didn’t play. La Monroe may be one of the worst G5s out there.

 

[Shmuley]

It's not unreasonable to think that, if ... IF ... IF ... he can stay healthy, he will single-handedly win two games this year over opponents that should have been losses. So, possibly 7 instead of 5. He's that gifted physically.

 

[John Deaux VII]

Agree. I didn’t love the front 7 at all. I know Tillman didn’t play. La Monroe may be one of the worst G5s out there.

I saw the same thing. I hope they look better as the year progresses. Not having disruptive people up front is frustrating, particularly when that is something we have always seemed to have. It's not looking any better either - none of the best 2027 DL's in the State are coming here unless something changes and the 2028 DL class is not trending our way either.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Agree. I didn’t love the front 7 at all. I know Tillman didn’t play. La Monroe may be one of the worst G5s out there.

I think it would be fair to say that we really don’t know much about either team just based on who they played in week one.

 

[o_Hot Rock]

It takes money and more of it if you want guys like Simmons & Jones to come here. I will accept what we get as the amount that I give, it can't even get you a back up kicker.

What does that mean? Can State win games with this level of talent and NIL Funding we have? I think they can and will but by no means is it going to be easy.

One thing is true, we keep KT happy and we have a much better chance of not having to overpay to get players. That alone would improve things.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

we're going to have to score a lot of points and figure out ways to keep the offense on the field.

That's something I never thought I'd hear about MSU footbaww

 

[L4Dawg]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

I'd wait to see us play against a real team. ULM was BAD, and they had already quit in the early 2nd quarter.

 

[The Peeper]

Were the TikTok dancers from the defense or were they a blended unit from the O too?

 

[FreeDawg]

Defense looked improved last year at USM and the rest of non con. The only saving grace that gives me a sliver of hope is a competent DC. Last year we had to question how much of it was lack of talent vs coaching. Won’t have as much of that convo this year.

 

[Seinfeld]

I saw the same thing. I hope they look better as the year progresses. Not having disruptive people up front is frustrating, particularly when that is something we have always seemed to have. It's not looking any better either - none of the best 2027 DL's in the State are coming here unless something changes and the 2028 DL class is not trending our way either.

For whatever reason which I'm sure has something to do with $$$, we have completely de-emphasized it. For decades, we were able to bring in and develop top MS DL talent and then plug holes with JUCO or other D1 transfers, but now it's like we've stopped trying. We're rarely getting much at all out of the HS ranks, and then let's just say that our portal adds aren't typically high up on the lists of Top 25 schools.

If we ever want to be anything better than a 5-7 win team, this has to change. Signficantly

 

[jethreauxdawg]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

Yes. Saturday was fools gold. “Vanilla” means we only have one flavor. We did not manhandle them on the line of scrimmage. If we are able to hold our own in SEC play, we would’ve destroy ULM in the trenches. On Wyatt’s film study, he kept praising Kamario for stepping into throws because he wasn’t afraid of getting hit. I’m glad he’s tough, but he should not have been getting hit. He’s gonna be running for his life in SEC games. We had two sacks? Come on man. That’s not due to “vanilla”, that’s due to not being very good on the defensive line. We gave up 3.5ypc. That’ll be 5ypc or more in the SEC.
This is the attitude I’m maintaining until proved wrong. Been burned by vanilla to many times.

 

[johnson86-1]

I agree, I'm sick of hearing that every year and then nothing changes later in the season... HOWEVER, it did actually look like we weren't trying very hard to scheme for sacks. I don't believe it was because we didn't want to show MN anything - I think it's more likely that Arnett wanted to see what these guys could do. Like, let's not give the DL any help and tell them to get to work.

I think we're going to have to send some help from the LB position to get pressure on good teams.

But overall, there is no doubt we are better on the DL. No doubt. Just how much better - we might know a little Saturday, because they will scheme us.

That would typically be a valid concern I think, but I don't think there is any doubt that Arnett is going to try to dial up pressure from a lot of different places against better teams.

I don't think we have the talent to be good on D. But I don't know how many teams we're going to play that are good enough up front that our defense just doesn't give us a chance. I would think no more than 5 and probably not more than 3?

 

[OG Goat Holder]

For whatever reason which I'm sure has something to do with $$$, we have completely de-emphasized it. For decades, we were able to bring in and develop top MS DL talent and then plug holes with JUCO or other D1 transfers, but now it's like we've stopped trying. We're rarely getting much at all out of the HS ranks, and then let's just say that our portal adds aren't typically high up on the lists of Top 25 schools.

If we ever want to be anything better than a 5-7 win team, this has to change. Signficantly

Everybody thinks we have to lead with offense, and we don't. Sherrill, Mullen and Leach all lead with defense, and innovated on offense. They all knew the key to winning here was that side of the ball, and that's where they prioritized it in recrootin.

Good coaches always clue in on the advantages of places.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

In my MSU memory...Going Vanilla Excuse: 1,000,000 Actually Going Vanilla: 0

 

[Puppers]

Our defense could be a lot better than the past 2 years and still not be very good.

It is hard to judge them in a game we were winning 21-0 before they even got a first down. That definitely changes the way Arnett calls it and changes the mentality.

 

[DawgNsuds]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

I will take the contrary opinion here and say we went vanilla on defense, I just kept saying Saturday night that I believed it to be. Just my opinion, now whether we have anything meaningful left in the bag or tricks, I guess we will see Saturday in Minnesota.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

I will take the contrary opinion here and say we went vanilla on defense, I just kept saying Saturday night that I believed it to be. Just my opinion, now whether we have anything meaningful left in the bag or tricks, I guess we will see Saturday in Minnesota.

I agree. I don't remember us ever blitzing. I think they let us play as vanilla as we wanted to. We played like we should've played against a bad team.

 

[Drebin]

Our defense could be a lot better than the past 2 years and still not be very good.

It is hard to judge them in a game we were winning 21-0 before they even got a first down. That definitely changes the way Arnett calls it and changes the mentality.

This is true but we should still be winning one on one matchups up front against a team like Louisiana Monroe, regardless of how Arnett is calling the game. We weren't doing that, and it got worse when we had the second unit in.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

"talking gasbags" got a legit LOL

 

[Bobby Ricigliano]

It's not unreasonable to think that, if ... IF ... IF ... he can stay healthy, he will single-handedly win two games this year over opponents that should have been losses. So, possibly 7 instead of 5. He's that gifted physically.

Who are you talking about? Kamario?

 

[Shmuley]

Who are you talking about? Kamario?

Obviously, I’m talking about Kallen Cosper.

 

[gtowndawg]

This is true but we should still be winning one on one matchups up front against a team like Louisiana Monroe, regardless of how Arnett is calling the game. We weren't doing that, and it got worse when we had the second unit in.

Our 2nd team d tackle whent down early. Not saying it would make a huge difference but it didn't help either.

 

[Drebin]

Our 2nd team d tackle whent down early. Not saying it would make a huge difference but it didn't help either.

that further solidifies my point that we don't have the talent or the depth up front. There will be injuries - it's part of the game.

 

[Puppers]

This is true but we should still be winning one on one matchups up front against a team like Louisiana Monroe, regardless of how Arnett is calling the game. We weren't doing that, and it got worse when we had the second unit in.

I don't disagree. My expectations for the DL are low and I didn't see anything that makes me raise them or lower them Saturday. I would like to see some meaningful in game reps which luckily they did not have.

 

[JackShephard]

I don't think we "played vanilla", but I do think that what we saw was a product of how we elected to play on defense more than anything else. It looked to me like we were trying to keep the QB in the pocket and not let him run. I don't think we were scared of him throwing the ball, so we were just daring him to do it. We were dropping LBs and rushing 4 most of the time. So, I think we'll see a little more pressure due to scheme against better opponents.

The flip side of that is that the DL wasn't getting much push. I think some of that was by design, but it was definitely not all by design and definitely enough to be concerning.

 

[PBRME]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

Yes

 

[CochiseCowbell]

The defense looked fine this weekend. I don't want to draw any conclusions based on a game vs a bad sun belt team. I would have liked to seen more production from the DL, but it is what it is. All the talking gasbags are saying that, schematically, we "went very vanilla" so we wouldn't show our cards to our future opponents.

I swear we are batting 1.000 on the number of times we opined on purposely "going vanilla" and it ended up being the end product.

What say ye?

Don't do it. I care bout cha.

 

[MagnoliaHunter]

on one of the youtube channels, they mentioned that against inferior teams, it is a known thing that Arnett does not blitz or do any linemen and linebacker things like twists or stunts or other trickery as much. This causes a lack of sacks and TFLs against these teams.

 

[Darryl Steight]

on one of the youtube channels, they mentioned that against inferior teams, it is a known thing that Arnett does not blitz or do any linemen and linebacker things like twists or stunts or other trickery as much. This causes a lack of sacks and TFLs against these teams.

There should really be a name for that, when a team plays kinda plain and simple, and doesn't try anything really fancy in an early season game. It's like they ordered a dessert but didn't put any extra toppings or flavor on it or something... What could we call that?**

 

[ZombieKissinger]

There should really be a name for that, when a team plays kinda plain and simple, and doesn't try anything really fancy in an early season game. It's like they ordered a dessert but didn't put any extra toppings or flavor on it or something... What could we call that?**

On SixPack, we’d call that “highly unusual”

 

[CochiseCowbell]

On SixPack, we’d call that “highly unusual”

Not Neapolitan?

 

[We Men]

I think it's gonna be a high scoring game. Minn is going to run all over us, and we are going to pass all over them. Can't wait to see, but I'm hoping for the best.

 

[Bologna Sandwich]

It's usually BS when people say a coach is going vanilla. But in this case, it is accurate. Arnett will blitz the sh** out of them on Saturday. But we can still acknowledge that the DL wasn't getting enough push.