NU OL/DL

[esplanade91]

What does anyone know about their line play? Big 14 and in Illinois could mean one thing, but it's a nerd school in Chicago. I have no clue.

If we can outplay them in the trenches, and our conference and who we recruit say we should, I think we outmatch them at every single skill position, stats out the window (I say that because they have two backs with gaudy stats, but if MSU got to play 8 B1G teams plus Vandy I believe Perk would have them too).


Yes, we struggle with the spread. Yes, A&M and Ole Miss torched us. But both have 5-star and 1st round guys on either side of the line.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

They may be a decent team but I'm trying to convince myself that they don't have the standout playmakers that torched us this year. The Manziel, the Moncrief, the Cordarrelle Patterson/Bray combo.

Everyone must remember that this team has been bumped a spot to where they should be since they are behind Ohio State so there is no reason to buy into their claim that they deserved Ga at all.

Some on here were wanting Michigan State because we matched up well... Well Northwestern beat Michigan State by three points.

 

[NCDawg.sixpack]

The games they have lost have been close-no blow-outs like we've had. You could also say the teams they have played probably aren't as good as the ones we've played. I have no doubt that our defense will not be able to stop them and they will score a bunch of points on us. Hopefully, we can outscore them.

 

[Dawgzilla]

I'm trying to convince myself they are just Arkansas in disguise.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

Their best win is Vanderbilt. I would venture to guess that result would have been different later in the year.
Vandy had just lost a heartbreaker to South Carolina before traveling up there and losing a close game with them.

Zero doubt we will have to keep the offense humming. But I have a better feeling going into this one than I did Jan 1, 2011.

 

[esplanade91]

I just don't see them manhandling our defensive line like they have everyone else for the tune of 20-something rushing touchdowns and 2000+ yards. That might work against Michigan and Nebraska but its not going to happen against us.

Their defense might be a different story though. They're coached by one of the best. But all I can think about is how they're essentially the B1G equivalent of Vandy and can't sign borderline qualifiers.

So my point because everyone seems to be freaking out about them being a spread team is that they don't have the talent on offensive line or defensive line that A&M or Ole Miss has. Not by a mile.

That's what did us in. We couldn't run the ball and they ran for 6 miles.

 

[MSUDC11]

They will try to run it down our throats. If we stop the run and make them pass, we win. They are not a very good passing team.

 

[Maroonthirteen]

They may not manhandle our defense but we will not stop them. We haven't stopped squat all damn year. Only good part is, they can't throw. And I doubt they have the OL of Bama and LSU and the speed of A&M. So, it may take them at least a few plays to score. So, hopefully, that will keep their points below 30 and give us a chance to match and exceed their points on offense.

Our Offense vs their Defense is the key.