Todd4State
09-02-2018, 04:07 PM
MVP- The girl sitting in front of me wearing the white shirt during the rain storm. Thank you. And I love you.
I kind of like the FCS opponents because it's usually a win and I get to see a lot of guys play. I think it's cool to see guys like Logan Burnett play who work hard and get a chance to see some game action. That said, why did we go away from playing the in state SWAC teams? To me, it's a lot more fun and beneficial for the state of Mississippi if we play JSU, Alcorn, and Valley. And yes, I know Valley has major scholarship issues, but FSU played someone that turned out to not count towards bowl eligibility and they still got in meaning that the NCAA doesn't look too closely at that kind of thing. I bet if you asked our players if they would rather play Stephen F Austin, Abeline Christian...or Jackson State I have a feeling that they would choose JSU. Playing the in state SWAC schools would help our guys focus on the game a little more which makes it easier on the coaches a little bit.
I know people are worried and thinking that we're a seven win team now if you are a chicken little MSU fan- "WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFAH! WE'RE OVERHYPED!" Were there issues? Yes. And most of them are solved by starting Nick Fitzgerald. He plays and we have a good day passing, the o-line looks better, and the receivers look better. Then the only other possible concern is Jamal Peters- and he needs to learn how to play zone coverage, not cramp up, and get off of his phone. That and Leo Lewis learning when to go on the field- preferably WITH a helmet on his head. Now I'm pretty disappointed with Nick. College kids these days think that smoking pot is no big deal because there is a good chance it will be legalized in our lifetime. That said, that day is not today and it's still illegal and against the rules. With Nick being out, I think it hurt us from an early perception standpoint. Which is what helps create momentum as the season goes on from the press. Fortunately with Nick that's the only damage caused and now it is time to forgive and move forward. Ole Miss is really good at creating this type of momentum. We typically are not. Now that said, I was pleased with how Joe handled the game and the play calling. In a normal situation we're going to have our QB and it's going to be even better and we will be better at creating that kind of momentum early.
The other thing is we have heard from Penn State people that it takes about 4-5 games to adjust to Moorhead's offense so I think it's pretty reasonable to believe that it will only get better. Trace McSorley in Penn State's first game under Joe against Kent State- 16-31 for 209 yards. Food for thought. Also we scored 63 points while only creating one turnover on defense and we did not turn the ball over ourselves.
On defense we created 17 TFL's. That has to be a school record. Hopefully the turnovers will start to come. The defense is going to be even better with the first string guys playing more than 1/2 the game. On Leo and Jamal- I'd tell them to straighten up or they are going to start sitting. I think Leo will figure out the substitution issue. And with Jamal Tyler Williams looked pretty solid so I'm fine going with him if we have to.
The special teams group looked the best of all three units. It would have been perfect had Christmann made his field goal. Still made all the extra points though. I thought Day looked good and he had at least one punt inside the 20. Mixon was very good on returns as well.
MIA- Malik Dear? Marcus Murphy? I didn't notice either one.
Pleasant surprises- Osirius Mitchell and Dontae Jones. I'd like to see Dontae play more. He's an incredible athlete.
I kind of like the FCS opponents because it's usually a win and I get to see a lot of guys play. I think it's cool to see guys like Logan Burnett play who work hard and get a chance to see some game action. That said, why did we go away from playing the in state SWAC teams? To me, it's a lot more fun and beneficial for the state of Mississippi if we play JSU, Alcorn, and Valley. And yes, I know Valley has major scholarship issues, but FSU played someone that turned out to not count towards bowl eligibility and they still got in meaning that the NCAA doesn't look too closely at that kind of thing. I bet if you asked our players if they would rather play Stephen F Austin, Abeline Christian...or Jackson State I have a feeling that they would choose JSU. Playing the in state SWAC schools would help our guys focus on the game a little more which makes it easier on the coaches a little bit.
I know people are worried and thinking that we're a seven win team now if you are a chicken little MSU fan- "WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFAH! WE'RE OVERHYPED!" Were there issues? Yes. And most of them are solved by starting Nick Fitzgerald. He plays and we have a good day passing, the o-line looks better, and the receivers look better. Then the only other possible concern is Jamal Peters- and he needs to learn how to play zone coverage, not cramp up, and get off of his phone. That and Leo Lewis learning when to go on the field- preferably WITH a helmet on his head. Now I'm pretty disappointed with Nick. College kids these days think that smoking pot is no big deal because there is a good chance it will be legalized in our lifetime. That said, that day is not today and it's still illegal and against the rules. With Nick being out, I think it hurt us from an early perception standpoint. Which is what helps create momentum as the season goes on from the press. Fortunately with Nick that's the only damage caused and now it is time to forgive and move forward. Ole Miss is really good at creating this type of momentum. We typically are not. Now that said, I was pleased with how Joe handled the game and the play calling. In a normal situation we're going to have our QB and it's going to be even better and we will be better at creating that kind of momentum early.
The other thing is we have heard from Penn State people that it takes about 4-5 games to adjust to Moorhead's offense so I think it's pretty reasonable to believe that it will only get better. Trace McSorley in Penn State's first game under Joe against Kent State- 16-31 for 209 yards. Food for thought. Also we scored 63 points while only creating one turnover on defense and we did not turn the ball over ourselves.
On defense we created 17 TFL's. That has to be a school record. Hopefully the turnovers will start to come. The defense is going to be even better with the first string guys playing more than 1/2 the game. On Leo and Jamal- I'd tell them to straighten up or they are going to start sitting. I think Leo will figure out the substitution issue. And with Jamal Tyler Williams looked pretty solid so I'm fine going with him if we have to.
The special teams group looked the best of all three units. It would have been perfect had Christmann made his field goal. Still made all the extra points though. I thought Day looked good and he had at least one punt inside the 20. Mixon was very good on returns as well.
MIA- Malik Dear? Marcus Murphy? I didn't notice either one.
Pleasant surprises- Osirius Mitchell and Dontae Jones. I'd like to see Dontae play more. He's an incredible athlete.