So is everyone feeling wooly this morning?

[Duckdog]

I am!

[ShotgunDawg]

Me too.

I'm just anxious to see it live & to see what Leach draws up for collection of WR mis-fits to some degree. I'm not an air raid expert, but it really seems like we're missing that quicky, twitchy slot guy that is always open underneath. Maybe Harvey or Tulu can be that guy

We've got a lot of learning to do in a short amount of time. I could see us being a real disappointment at times early in the season & then score 50 or something vs A&M

[Jack Lambert]

Me too.

I'm just anxious to see it live & to see what Leach draws up for collection of WR mis-fits to some degree. I'm not an air raid expert, but it really seems like we're missing that quicky, twitchy slot guy that is always open underneath. Maybe Harvey or Tulu can be that guy

We've got a lot of learning to do in a short amount of time. I could see us being a real disappointment at times early in the season & then score 50 or something vs A&M

I think Hill gives his offense another demension.

[Dawgology]

YEs!! Hail State!

[ShotgunDawg]

I think Hill gives his offense another demension.

That's a good point.

Leach has never had a RB like Hill or Marks, so it'll be interesting to see how he using them

[NWADAWG]

That's a good point.

Leach has never had a RB like Hill or Marks, so it'll be interesting to see how he using them

My guess is that there are some future stud RBs that will be watching closely to see how Leach uses them too.

[BrunswickDawg]

That's a good point.

Leach has never had a RB like Hill or Marks, so it'll be interesting to see how he using them

It will be interesting - Leach's best season at Texas Tech ('08, 11-2) his 2 top RB's combined for 1,460 rushing yards & 19 TD's and 850+ yards receiving with 3 TD.

Rushing Receiving Scrimmage
Rk Player Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
1 Shannon Woods 141 716 5.1 12 36 397 11.0 2 177 1113 6.3 14
2 Baron Batch 113 758 6.7 7 45 449 10.0 1 158 1207 7.6 8

I think he recognizes where he has weapons and will use them. I could easily see Hill going 1000/1000

[StateDawg44]

It will be interesting - Leach's best season at Texas Tech ('08, 11-2) his 2 top RB's combined for 1,460 rushing yards & 19 TD's and 850+ yards receiving with 3 TD.

Rushing Receiving Scrimmage
Rk Player Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
1 Shannon Woods 141 716 5.1 12 36 397 11.0 2 177 1113 6.3 14
2 Baron Batch 113 758 6.7 7 45 449 10.0 1 158 1207 7.6 8

I think he recognizes where he has weapons and will use them. I could easily see Hill going 1000/1000

Honestly, that would be wild.

[HailStateSZN19]

If Kylin goes for 1,000/1,000, we're going 9-3 with a shot at 10 wins because that would be a historical type year.

I think Kylin can get like 1,000/650 though. I think he'll finish with 1,500+ all purpose yards for sure. And I'll go with 16 total TD's. 12 rushing and 4 receiving.

[TrapGame]

I'll say it again. B/c this is such a weird, ****ed up year we are going to see a very unusual college football season. I think we will be one of the teams to come out of nowhere and crack the top 10.

And:

https://www.sun-gazing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/32f23f2f3f2f23f.jpg

[Jack Lambert]

I would imagine Leach woke up with morning wood as well.

[BrunswickDawg]

If Kylin goes for 1,000/1,000, we're going 9-3 with a shot at 10 wins because that would be a historical type year.

I think Kylin can get like 1,000/650 though. I think he'll finish with 1,500+ all purpose yards for sure. And I'll go with 16 total TD's. 12 rushing and 4 receiving.

I am by no means predicting that - but I do think that Hill has enough talent for either of those things to happen. Hill had 1530 yards from scrimmage last year, so topping that isn't out of the realm of possibilities. Hill is an NFL talent - and Leach has never had an NFL talent at RB. Ever. You give a mad scientist a new toy, and he will figure out how to blow shit up.

[MaroonFlounder]

I want to be wooly. I am hopeful.

How many times have things looked like they were gonna fall into place, then we fall on our face?

[HailStateSZN19]

I want to be wooly. I am hopeful.

How many times have things looked like they were gonna fall into place, then we fall on our face?

How many times have we hired a sitting P5 HC with 139 career wins and track record like Mike F'n Leach?

It's ok to just let in all the optimism and get wooly! I'm wooly as hell over here! Lol

[HailStateSZN19]

I am by no means predicting that - but I do think that Hill has enough talent for either of those things to happen. Hill had 1530 yards from scrimmage last year, so topping that isn't out of the realm of possibilities. Hill is an NFL talent - and Leach has never had an NFL talent at RB. Ever. You give a mad scientist a new toy, and he will figure out how to blow shit up.

I can't argue with that. I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying if it happens, we're about to win 9-10 games and be a hell of a lot better than some people think.

[TrapGame]

I am by no means predicting that - but I do think that Hill has enough talent for either of those things to happen. Hill had 1530 yards from scrimmage last year, so topping that isn't out of the realm of possibilities. Hill is an NFL talent - and Leach has never had an NFL talent at RB. Ever. You give a mad scientist a new toy, and he will figure out how to blow shit up.

I think Leach may actually go against type with Hill and pound the rock some. If he forces defenses to account for Hill in the backfield he'll have wide open receivers.

[ShotgunDawg]

I think Leach may actually go against type with Hill and pound the rock some. If he forces defenses to account for Hill in the backfield he'll have wide open receivers.

Leach pounding the rock would be the most shocking thing in college football in 2020. He ain't doing that

[TrapGame]

Leach pounding the rock would be the most shocking thing in college football in 2020. He ain't doing that

That's why it's so ****ing crazy! Do what they least expect. With someone like Hill he can pull it off.

[ShotgunDawg]

That's why it's so ****ing crazy! Do what they least expect. With someone like Hill he can pull it off.

It's just not him though.

With all I've read about Leach, he's going to be exactly who he is & he ain't changing it. Don't get mad at him for not being something he is not.

Washington State fans have warned us about this

[BeardoMSU]

Honestly, that would be wild.

Last SEC RB to do that, that I can remember at least, was Dexter McCluster.

[the_real_MSU_is_us]

Didn't Leach show up in the announcers booth for some State bowl game and he kept commenting how he loved how Ballard "pounds it in there" or something? I remember reading that it happened.

If true, it at least means Leach has an appreciation for tough physical backs

[TrapGame]

It's just not him though.

With all I've read about Leach, he's going to be exactly who he is & he ain't changing it. Don't get mad at him for not being something he is not.

Washington State fans have warned us about this

Oh, I ain't mad. But, Leach ain't a dumbass and he knows who he's up against in this league. I won't be surprised if he uses some out of box thinking on some of these game plans against LSU and Bama.

[BrunswickDawg]

Leach pounding the rock would be the most shocking thing in college football in 2020. He ain't doing that

You can't look at it from the traditional sense of MSU putting up 2900-3300 rushing yards. For Leach, getting 1000+ yards in rushing would be pounding the rock. What I think you will see is exactly what TrapGame alludes to - Leach taking advantage of a talented running back to open up the passing game. Getting Hill his touches will put pressure on defenses in a similar manner to the way Mullen uses mobile QB's to do it. Defenses will have to account for him, which you typically don't have to do in a Leach offense.

[StateDawg44]

Oh, I ain't mad. But, Leach ain't a dumbass and he knows who he's up against in this league. I won't be surprised if he uses some out of box thinking on some of these game plans against LSU and Bama.

So you're saying we won't get an excuse of not doing his research on the history of MSU before he got here?***

[TrapGame]

You can't look at it from the traditional sense of MSU putting up 2900-3300 rushing yards. For Leach, getting 1000+ yards in rushing would be pounding the rock. What I think you will see is exactly what TrapGame alludes to - Leach taking advantage of a talented running back to open up the passing game. Getting Hill his touches will put pressure on defenses in a similar manner to the way Mullen uses mobile QB's to do it. Defenses will have to account for him, which you typically don't have to do in a Leach offense.

Thanks Brunswick!

If Leach just incorporates a modest running game with Hill we can put some defenses, some good defenses, in a hole. Leach knows this. He's no dummy.

[TrapGame]

So you're saying we won't get an excuse of not doing his research on the history of MSU before he got here?***

I thought everybody knew we were the '85 Bears!!**

[BrunswickDawg]

Thanks Brunswick!

If Leach just incorporates a modest running game with Hill we can put some defenses, some good defenses, in a hole. Leach knows this. He's no dummy.

In that classic 2008 game against Texas, his RB's ran the ball 25 times for 122 yards. Kept Texas off guard all night.

[dantheman4248]

Think some worried about his run game should read his philosophy in the book. If the defense is gonna give us the run with 8 in zone then he'll take it. He'll have the talent to actually do it here too.

This season is going to ride or die on KJ Costello imo. Is he timid after being hurt like Tommy was? Can he read the defense properly? A lot of Leach's system is predicated on trusting the QB to make the right calls and hopefully KJ is up to the task in the SEC.

[Johnson85]

I'll say it again. B/c this is such a weird, ****ed up year we are going to see a very unusual college football season. I think we will be one of the teams to come out of nowhere and crack the top 10.


I don't think we're the type of team that is going to come out of nowhere. We have a new system on both sides of the ball and didn't get to have spring practice. It's not clear we have the WRs to run Leach's system although we have gotten a good transfer QB. Our defense may have depth issues.

I think you are going to see some older teams that have been in the same system really overachieve this year, especially if they get some of their tougher matches earlier when their advantage is the biggest.

[TNDawg35]

What if the first offensive play Leavh runs a QB draw on 1st and 10... the Bulldog faithful implode with bitching, the camera pans to Leach and he just winks, and then throws a 75 yrd TD over the middle to Mitchell....

HAHAHA!!!!

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

I could easily see Hill going 1000/1000

Or .....could you see Hill easily going 1000/1000?

[R2Dawg]

How many times have we hired a sitting P5 HC with 139 career wins and track record like Mike F'n Leach?

It's ok to just let in all the optimism and get wooly! I'm wooly as hell over here! Lol

He wasn't sitting but he was a proven winner at HC and that was Jackie Wayne Sherril and yeah that turned out OK. Leach will do Leach but MSU style and we will win, period.

[fader2103]

I would imagine Leach woke up with morning wood as well.

I'm sure he swung his sword this morning.

[BrunswickDawg]

Or .....could you see Hill easily going 1000/1000?

I can easily see how easy it could be for Hill to go 1000/1000

[Percho]

I would imagine Leach woke up with morning wood as well.

Wool, wool!

[99jc]

Leach pounding the rock would be the most shocking thing in college football in 2020. He ain't doing that

This is absolutely the truth a leopard don't change his spots. I stay by my words the day we hired leach we will win 9 or more games.

[dantheman4248]

Mike Leach's first game in at an SEC school he broke their passing yardage record (against their rival in the first game of the season). Also a month into that season he beat Alabama in OT.

Only went 5-6 that year, but point remains that it didn't seem to take them long to install something completely foreign to the team then.

[#660000]

Leach pounding the rock would be the most shocking thing in college football in 2020. He ain't doing that

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DezC8EHVAAEiRT3?format=jpg

[ShotgunDawg]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DezC8EHVAAEiRT3?format=jpg

Sure, he just hasn't run the ball in 20 years so I doubt he'll start now

the RTGDF guys are going to have just accept reality with Leach. If you don't, you'll die a long, painful death. Just accept that we're going to throw it every down & be excited when we runs it.

[TrapGame]

Sure, he just hasn't run the ball in 20 years so I doubt he'll start now

the RTGDF guys are going to have just accept reality with Leach. If you don't, you'll die a long, painful death. Just accept that we're going to throw it every down & be excited when we runs it.

You think we're talking RTGDF?. That's not what we're talking about. Dude, all we are saying is Leach has the weapon available to ACTUALLY have an edge in the running game. Nobody on this board believes Leach is going three yards and cloud of dust. I don't think Leach has ever had an NFL level running back like Kylin Hill. This is going to make his usual, basic running game a real threat. It is seriously going to compliment his air raid style.

C'mon Gun, you're smarter than this. Y'all are turning this into something that ain't even an argument.

[dawgday166]

I'll say it again. B/c this is such a weird, ****ed up year we are going to see a very unusual college football season. I think we will be one of the teams to come out of nowhere and crack the top 10.

And:

https://www.sun-gazing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/32f23f2f3f2f23f.jpg

Top 10 huh? You been getting dano to run your simulations for you? *****

[Turfdawg67]

I can easily see how easy it could be for Hill to go 1000/1000

Easy there...

[Turfdawg67]

This is absolutely the truth a leopard don't change his spots. I stay by my words the day we hired leach we will win 9 or more games.

This statement will be parlayed into "everyone on this board" by a few IF Leach stumbles in year one.

[Duckdog]

WOOL WOOL WOOL WOOL WOOL

[TrapGame]

Top 10 huh? You been getting dano to run your simulations for you? *****

Nah, the World Health Organization has been running the numbers for me. So you know it's spot on. ***

[dantheman4248]

Top 10 huh? You been getting dano to run your simulations for you? *****

I've got us with 10 wins. As of this point my 2020 predictions seem to be spot on.

[ZedFedder]

Yeah, we may need to pump the brakes. I’m excited but...

[Todd4State]

This statement will be parlayed into "everyone on this board" by a few IF Leach stumbles in year one.

I'll probably see some moron Ole Miss fan on Twitter saying Todd4State said MSU was going 12-0 this year!

[dawgday166]

Nah, the World Health Organization has been running the numbers for me. So you know it's spot on. ***

I figured it was either dano or Fauci *****

[dawgday166]

I've got us with 10 wins. As of this point my 2020 predictions seem to be spot on.

In your own mind maybe haha. You way off on a lot of stuff. You probably running on a par to last year's football predictions.

[Bdawg]

Sure, he just hasn't run the ball in 20 years so I doubt he'll start now

the RTGDF guys are going to have just accept reality with Leach. If you don't, you'll die a long, painful death. Just accept that we're going to throw it every down & be excited when we runs it.

All those short swing passes you are going to see is pretty much an extended handoff. They just happen to go in the passing category. The RTGDF guys will just have to take solace in this and just consider these runs when they see it.

[Dawgology]

I think anything over 6 wins NEXT year is gravy. New HC, new DC, new QB, whole new system. That will take some adjustment time. Luckily we have 4 winnable games to start the season to get things moving. With that said those 4 “winnable games” we are probably still going to be working things out which could lead to a slip-up. I’m hopeful that in year 2 and 3 though we will be able to start maintaining an 8 win floor. If we somehow win 8-10 next year then...oh boy...we are in for a ride.

[Duckdog]

Dan did better than that

[dantheman4248]

In your own mind maybe haha. You way off on a lot of stuff. You probably running on a par to last year's football predictions.

Like what. I already linked my rough guess for covid and as far as predictions made in that thread I don't see too many others nailing how this would go quite like me.

I was wrong for believing a kid could bring the element that I thought we had long been missing at MSU. Same element people think the Costello kid can bring. Once MSU has that QB that can make all these decisions presnap it will take us to uncharted waters.

[IMissJack]

Still worried about depth on D.

[BeardoMSU]

Still worried about depth on D.

Won't need a D when we go for it on 4th and kick on sides every time.**

[Duckdog]

Alright having all this wool, just think if we had hired Leach instead of moorehead. 2017 would have been crazy

[dantheman4248]

Alright having all this wool, just think if we had hired Leach instead of moorehead. 2017 would have been crazy

Unpopular opinion: We would have looked roughly the same offensively. Leach's system would not mesh with Fitzgerald at QB. Fitz is a very good athlete but not very good at making reads. A system that gave him full autonomy would not have been good for him. He needed a playcaller and just run the play as drawn up. Mullen stays for one more season and we go 11-1. I don't know any coach we could have called up that would have done anything similar with that personnel.

[dantheman4248]

Won't need a D when we go for it on 4th and kick on sides every time.**

My football wet dream is that guy from Arkansas's coaching philosophy creeps up into the higher ranks. Football is close to a saber metrics type revolution of thinking. Math ain't everything in football, but it should be a bigger chunk of the pie.

[JPdog]

Unpopular opinion: We would have looked roughly the same offensively. Leach's system would not mesh with Fitzgerald at QB. Fitz is a very good athlete but not very good at making reads. A system that gave him full autonomy would not have been good for him. He needed a playcaller and just run the play as drawn up. Mullen stays for one more season and we go 11-1. I don't know any coach we could have called up that would have done anything similar with that personnel.

Agree with Fitz as QB looks the same. But if we bring in Gardner Minshew...oh my gosh I can only imagine. However, I don?t know if that would?ve happened because the outcry for replacing Fitz with him would?ve been outrageous, and at the time perhaps justifiably so

[dantheman4248]

Agree with Fitz as QB looks the same. But if we bring in Gardner Minshew...oh my gosh I can only imagine. However, I don?t know if that would?ve happened because the outcry for replacing Fitz with him would?ve been outrageous, and at the time perhaps justifiably so

Yep. He would have told Fitz that they see him more as a receiver and Fitz would have transferred. I don't know if Leach could have kept the locker room at that point and I think that conversation could have been had as a reason why Leach was not someone we pursued further originally.

He did the same thing to the incumbent starter along several of his stops as a coach / oc. I'm just not sure that he could have done it with Fitz and the message played well. If it did and we rolled with Minshew, then that's a phenomenal team. I just don't see him keeping that locker room.

[Todd4State]

Yep. He would have told Fitz that they see him more as a receiver and Fitz would have transferred. I don't know if Leach could have kept the locker room at that point and I think that conversation could have been had as a reason why Leach was not someone we pursued further originally.

He did the same thing to the incumbent starter along several of his stops as a coach / oc. I'm just not sure that he could have done it with Fitz and the message played well. If it did and we rolled with Minshew, then that's a phenomenal team. I just don't see him keeping that locker room.

It definitely wouldn't have played well with our fans. Cohen would have been lit up if we brought in a guy that would have been the third guy at Alabama over Fitz. It would have worked beautifully in the end but no way any of our fans including me wouldn't have questioned it.

[AROB44]

It definitely wouldn't have played well with our fans. Cohen would have been lit up if we brought in a guy that would have been the third guy at Alabama over Fitz. It would have worked beautifully in the end but no way any of our fans including me wouldn't have questioned it.

That's putting it mildly. This board would have another epic meltdown.