[NU Sports] THUMP!

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

Nice analysis, Jeff. Some thoughts ...

> 1. It will be very interesting to see how Purdue plays us. 
> Clearly
> other teams are going to try to exploit what MSU saw in our

Purdue usually has pretty good return teams. However, their kicking game may be even more erratic in recent years than ours. I think we'll shore up our kicking game enough so that we're not clearly beaten like that again vs. Purdue.

> every punt/kickoff and MSU defended our onside kicks
> perfectly.  Hats
> off to Dantonio for MSU's discipline.  If he can keep
> them together for
> a whole season, they can become a real force in the BT.

And that's exactly what we feared from MSU under Dantonio. They've always been a sleeping giant - with a disciplined coach who stays there and now with Big Blue's rebuilding project, they're really poised to become a national power. Of course, beating Cal would have helped that case more - but at least they don't look like a late-season swooner again.

As for the onside kick, it seemed like Fitz was channeling both Barnett and Walker -- I remember both doing similar things. It just didn't work and the MSU player made a great play, but I wouldn't add that to our special teams faults (heck, it wasn't that much worse field position wise than a kickoff on Saturday!).

> 2. The offense did great when they let the game come to
> them and took
> what the MSU defense was willing to give.  The defense did

This has been the biggest disappointment so far this year - we have yet to hit our stride with the new OC and calling plays for balance and getting into a rhythm. We have the tools there, we just need to get clicking in the second half. If we do, it could be a great finish. If not, we're going to have to hope the D holds up enough.

The biggest stat is the turnover stat with CJ -- he has to cut down on those.

> on the "conversation" Fitz had with Sutton late
> in the second half when
> Fitz chose to kick the field goal rather than the first
> down.  I thought
> that was a particularly instructive coaching moment. 

Me too. I loved Sutton's passion there and I loved Fitz's maturity.

> My take away is that this team isn't quite there yet. 
> The fact that the
> leaders (CJ and Sutton) seem to feel they have to do

They just can't try and do too much.

Looking at our remaining schedule, OSU is obviously in another league talent wise (but not always in terms of desire) and Minny really seems hungry, especially on D. But the rest are tough to call. Purdue and Michigan have solid Ds, but their offenses are just disjointed. And Indy and the Illini have fantastic scoring threats on offense but plenty of holes on defense.

Finding that balance/rhythm on offense and cutting down turnovers will be the difference the rest of the way. Still a lot of opportunity left this year. Let's go take advantage, Cats!

GO CATS!!! BEAT PURDUE!!!
-SjT


* * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!!