As I sit here and watch the Auburn replay...

[GTAdawg]

In the quiet and able to watch much closer than I could Saturday, it is clear to me that

1) Auburn is not a better team than us. From an offensive standpoint, we were able to move the ball pretty effectively until we killed drives with holding calls or a missed field goal. All of our other drives resulted in points. Defensively, it appears to me for the most part the players stayed within their assignments aside from a couple of blown plays, then obviously the ridiculous breakdown prevent junk we put out there on the last drive. HOWEVER, I was impressed to see the D create multiple forced turnovers.

2) Dak is unquestionably our starting quarterback in my opinion. It's obvious that our playmaking options are much more opportunistic with Dak running the show. If Mullen were to put Tyler back in, then I definitely would lose confidence in his decision making. Who could argue that Tyler's upside is better than Dak's? I don't see it.

3) Mullen terribly overacted in the 2pt conversion debacle that Malzahn pulled over on him. While it is debatable, the most consistent approach to respond to the opposing team's 2pt conversion is to wait until as late as possible in the game to attempt one yourself. When you don't convert, you play catch up from a numbers standpoint the rest of the game as we did.

In summation, I saw positives from a playmaking standpoint, but again I'm concerned about how we manage our games as the progress. Ultimately, that's what I view as our weakest point. Not the talent or execution on the field.

 

[Chesusdog]

Keep these things in mind:

Aside from a freak play where Cox completely derps and gets beat deep and that last drive of the game, there offense did practically nothing.

Until the fourth quarter where we pretty much **** the bed, our offense was clicking pretty damn well.

If we could find a kicker worth a **** we wouldn't be having this conversation.

We simply do not utilize our running backs nearly enough in the passing game. Count how many times the RB is wide open on passing downs.

Same goes for tight ends. If Malcolm Johnson truly can't block, just make him a damn wide receiver. Find a way to get that talent on the field.

Brandon Holloway should be getting at least 10 touches a game. I don't care how. Same for Jameon. I don't care if it's a reverse or they get motioned into the backfield. Do that more often. ****, do it and then have Dak run the draw. Make his runs slightly less unpredictable for the defense.

I don't know how or why defenses can still fall back into this prevent, scared-type schemes at the end of games. If we'd played like we had for most of the last 3 quarters instead of like vaginas.... so many ifs.

 

[ChinaDogSunflower]

Your avatar is such an appropriate image when I read your post.
d
I've let Dan go just like he let us go when he started losing and his ego couldn't/can't handle it. There will not be any changes in-game; Holloway/Lewis nor Shumpert will continue to see less than 7 touches per game. It's sad. I think we will win this weekend but I will not be surprised if we lose a game decided in the fourth quarter

 

[was21]

What comes to mind to me is that these coaching gaffes are the same kind that have been called by coaches like Tubberville and Myles. The difference is that it works for them the majority of time maybe because they have better athletes that cover for them or they're just plain damn lucky. We're neither.

 

[AlCoDog]

Hilarious. You remind me of the OM fans who act like they know Mullen personally. Like you sit down and have beers with him in his living room after the game.

 

[FormerlyHighLifeRebel]

I caught a good bit of the replay last night. I am confused as to why no one is calling out the offensive line. There seemed to be more breakdowns in protection, and a failure to open holes during key drives. It was very inconsistent, and it seemed like the only time any play went for yardage was when Auburn sold out to protect the edge, middle, or pass, and MSU had planned on going in a different direction.

Granted I only watched about 3/4 of the game over the top of my laptop, but it seemed to me that the play calling is what got MSU the most yards, despite poor execution and scheme. Just my two cents.

Otherwise, the failed two point conversion was pretty bush league.

 

[ChupacabraDawg]

I sat in amazement while watching the game live that our tackling was so poor. I don't remember when it was or who it was but I do remember watching one of our defensive players lead a tackle with his shoulder and never even put his hands on the Auburn player. I couldn't believe it at all. It was almost like he thought "well, if I bump this guy, surely he'll just fall down. There's no reason to wrap him up."

I think something that hasn't been mentioned at all in either our our loses was the complete lack of ability to wrap a guy up and bring him down. We either arm tackle or just completely duff a play on defense.

 

[MadDawg.sixpack]

**** you.