My morning after observations

[doggy3]

Let me start by saying that we weren't going to beat Bama. After 8 games we now have a body of work to look at and that is more important than this one game.

1. The DL is getting beat by almost every OL we play. Until this is fixed, we will struggle against average-good teams. I'm not sure it is fixable right now. We miss #94.

2. The special teams are yielding bad field position at the least and opponent points at its worst. See opening kickoff. Bad recipe combined with point no. 1 above.

3. Russell is the best I've seen at throwing the ball at MSU and is a tough SOB. Lack of a power running game is making his life tough though. Short yardage run blocking is the problem.

4. Why do the TE's go missing in big games (and I don't mean late when games are decided). Malcom Johnson is maybe our most talented guy outside of Tyler.

5. The LB position as a whole is under performing. McKinney is going to be a beast but he's a rookie. This point could be a direct relation to the DL problems. The underneath routes against the LB's were a killer last night.

6. Some will say the DB's had a bad night but it's hard to be good with no pass rush and getting ripped underneath with short passes and running lanes the size of trucks. They are the least of our problems.

7. I hope this loss is not going to leave a hangover. Our coaches have a tough task ahead of them. I still believe we can/should win 3 of the next 4. Having A&M and Arky at home is a HUGE advantage. The UM game is a toss up but Mullen will have us ready for that one.

8. Bama is playing the best I've seen in many, many years...maybe ever. Let's move on.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

Our DL is what is killing us. They are not very good, and that makes our average LB corps vulnerable as well as our above average secondary.

 

[InaccuratePredictionsDawg]

Just to add...

1. Where are the blitz packages? The DL needs help via creative, risk-taking defensive schemes. None of that is happening.

2. As far as special teams, Mullen is beginning to enter Derek Abney territory. He needs to fix this mess & fast.

3. Russell is a great talent, I agree. But I disagree about the running game. LP is a stud, backed up by other studs. All I can say is you can't judge MSU's running game by what they did against Bama. Just watch what Bama does against LSU's running game. The Stallion is not going to like what he sees.

4. I agree about TE's. They should be targets 10 times a game. To ignore them in big games is just crappy scheming.

5. LB's = Cam Lawrence is no longer "seeing plays before they happen." He better get that gift back before Johnny Football comes to town.

6. vs. Bama the DB's were constantly out of position. Against aTm, they will have to break off coverge at times & chase Johnny Football. I just hope they hit him hard once they reach him.

7. UGA got *****-slapped by a downward trending South Carolina squad. Then they beat Florida. None of this stuff is beholden to logic. MSU will be okay.

 

[drt7891]

1. Where are the blitz packages? The DL needs help via creative, risk-taking defensive schemes. None of that is happening.

I disagree... I saw a fair amount of blitzing last night... but hte problem was, last night, we played to defend the run first, at least scheme-wise. You can't take away the run blitzing, or you will be giving up at LEAST 10 yards a possession. Alabama is just good in every facet of the game, period. How do you defend a good passing game AND a good running game? You really can't... you pick your poison. We got beat through the air, and I will assume Mullen thought that was our best shot at winning was to try to take away the run.

 

[doggy3]

But I disagree about the running game. LP is a stud, backed up by other studs. All I can say is you can't judge MSU's running game by what they did against Bama. Just watch what Bama does against LSU's running game. The Stallion is not going to like what he sees.

7. UGA got *****-slapped by a downward trending South Carolina squad. Then they beat Florida. None of this stuff is beholden to logic. MSU will be okay.

I agree about LP. I am a big fan, especially between the 20s (See "short yardage"). I also agree that Bama makes everyone look bad. I'm referring to the body of work over 8 games. I got spoiled watching Dixon, Ballard and Relf line up from the 2 yard line and carry people into the endzone. When the field gets tight (in the red zone) you HAVE to have that power game b/c the field is short and tight. That is not a knock on LP but if we can knock people off of the ball in the red zone last night (that goes for the OL and RB) we may could have kept the game respectable. I believe we were in the red zone 4 times and came away with 7 points. That cannot happen against good teams. Going forward I hope we get the other RB's involved and more Dak.

Agree with your UGA example. The SEC is all about week to week matchups. We can still win 10.

 

[InaccuratePredictionsDawg]

I thought LP lead the SEC...

..in rushing yardage going into the Bama game. I would call that an impressive body of work. I guess you want the old school Michael Davis-types who are big, strong & bully their way for 4 yds. every carry. I would like that too. But these new SEC offenses just don't feature those type backs for some reason.

 

[doggy3]

Not sure how this turned into a LP debate. I like LP and you do too. We agree. He's had a tremendous year. I defend him weekly. He needs some help from his OL in short yardage situations. I think it is also advantageous to use the 230 lb QB we have and the other backs we have in short yardage situations, especially when your OL is a bit average. And yes I would LOVE a Michael Davis clone! Imagine that duo of LP and a Davis clone...it would be fun to watch.

My original point remains the same though, our biggest problem is D...by far.