Todd4State
10-09-2022, 11:28 PM
Offense
We look good running the Air Raid. We're averaging 38.5 PPG and that would be way higher if we could make extra points. I consider Dak to be the gold standard of MSU QB development. I think some people may not realize it but Will is the same age as Dak in 2013. So, he is way ahead of where Dak is as a college QB. That's not to say that Will is or is not going to be a great NFL QB. Just speaking strictly on college QB development. What I am saying is he is good now- really good- but I still think that there is another level that he can maybe get to. Even if I'm wrong he's still really good. But if that next level is out there- we're looking at maybe getting 40 points per game with maybe even dare I say it- some 50 point games in there. I think that next level includes more tempo and some different formations and the jet/fly sweep. Part of that is our running backs have also matured and can now break tackles and the vision is better. I'd even like to see Simeon Price more as the change of pace speed guy on some wheel routes. We are deep at WR. Lots of different types of guys. We've got the tall 6'3" and taller guys like Ducking and Robinson. We've got the all around guy in Rara. We've got true slot guys like Rufus and Calvin, we have shifty space guys like Walley and Tulu. And then we have the possession guy in Austin Williams. Most of those guys will be back next year too. And the offensive line has really gelled too with most of those guys coming back next year too. It may be next year that we see that next level but I really think it's out there. Leach has gotten a lot of criticism from our fans since he has been here over his style but the thing about this offense is it works. First and foremost. And we don't need Alabama talent to make it work like Croom's. If we are down by 28 in the third quarter we're not out of it and we can easily convert a 3rd and 20 at anytime with this offense unlike Dan's. This scheme gives us a chance and that's really all I ask for.
Defense
I think our numbers don't really do our defense a lot of favors as to how good they really have been. We're allowing 21 PPG and my hope was 24 so we are pace there. And that's what really matters. However, to be objective some of that is damage that has been done in garbage time. If you take that away we're really probably a 16-18 PPG defense. Also, I think this unit may improve as the year goes along. We struggle with mobile QB's and our next two opponents have QB's coming off of injury- assuming Levis and Young play. If that happens, we're looking at two guys who are going to want to likely minimize their scrambling. Auburn has a dual threat QB, but they have struggled on offense. Georgia and Ole Miss have QB's who are more scramble when necessary guys. Another thing to discuss is Jaden Crumedy eventually returning- possibly by Auburn. That should improve our front against the run some as well and if nothing else improve our depth. And despite the garbage time inflation this number of sacks and interceptions this defense has caused this year are among the lead leaders in the SEC and much improved from last year. Because of injuries and suspensions for targeting we have found some more players like JP Purvis who has played well. And our secondary hasn't been too bad this year as it appears as if Arnett is starting to minimize using Duncan in coverage as much. As far as the future goes my hope is that we hit the portal and focus hard on getting 2-4 elite EDGE rushers and three safeties. This would allow us to use whoever returns from the Crumedy, Pickering, and Young trio to play inside exclusively. We're also going to need a replacement for Tyrus Wheat. And adding two new OLB EDGE rushers would allow us to slide Jett Johnson inside to MLB which would make us more athletic. If Forbes goes pro I'm fine with DeCam and Banks at CB but losing Green and Matthews at S worries me as far as that position group is concerned unless Ellington and Morant step up along with Duncan.
Special teams
Outside of place kicking this group has been very good outside of an Austin Williams muffed punt. I would like to see us get a kicking specialist like we had when Chris Boniol was here. I don't think Leach would be against it as this could be an off the field position. Anyway we're going to need a new kicker next year no matter what. Our punters have been good overall. That punt to the 1 inch line was about as good as you're ever going to see. Tulu is an elite return guy and Xavion is a very good punt return guy. Coverage and all of that has been good. Just need to fix the place kicking.
Let's hope for a second half that is as good or better than the first half!
We look good running the Air Raid. We're averaging 38.5 PPG and that would be way higher if we could make extra points. I consider Dak to be the gold standard of MSU QB development. I think some people may not realize it but Will is the same age as Dak in 2013. So, he is way ahead of where Dak is as a college QB. That's not to say that Will is or is not going to be a great NFL QB. Just speaking strictly on college QB development. What I am saying is he is good now- really good- but I still think that there is another level that he can maybe get to. Even if I'm wrong he's still really good. But if that next level is out there- we're looking at maybe getting 40 points per game with maybe even dare I say it- some 50 point games in there. I think that next level includes more tempo and some different formations and the jet/fly sweep. Part of that is our running backs have also matured and can now break tackles and the vision is better. I'd even like to see Simeon Price more as the change of pace speed guy on some wheel routes. We are deep at WR. Lots of different types of guys. We've got the tall 6'3" and taller guys like Ducking and Robinson. We've got the all around guy in Rara. We've got true slot guys like Rufus and Calvin, we have shifty space guys like Walley and Tulu. And then we have the possession guy in Austin Williams. Most of those guys will be back next year too. And the offensive line has really gelled too with most of those guys coming back next year too. It may be next year that we see that next level but I really think it's out there. Leach has gotten a lot of criticism from our fans since he has been here over his style but the thing about this offense is it works. First and foremost. And we don't need Alabama talent to make it work like Croom's. If we are down by 28 in the third quarter we're not out of it and we can easily convert a 3rd and 20 at anytime with this offense unlike Dan's. This scheme gives us a chance and that's really all I ask for.
Defense
I think our numbers don't really do our defense a lot of favors as to how good they really have been. We're allowing 21 PPG and my hope was 24 so we are pace there. And that's what really matters. However, to be objective some of that is damage that has been done in garbage time. If you take that away we're really probably a 16-18 PPG defense. Also, I think this unit may improve as the year goes along. We struggle with mobile QB's and our next two opponents have QB's coming off of injury- assuming Levis and Young play. If that happens, we're looking at two guys who are going to want to likely minimize their scrambling. Auburn has a dual threat QB, but they have struggled on offense. Georgia and Ole Miss have QB's who are more scramble when necessary guys. Another thing to discuss is Jaden Crumedy eventually returning- possibly by Auburn. That should improve our front against the run some as well and if nothing else improve our depth. And despite the garbage time inflation this number of sacks and interceptions this defense has caused this year are among the lead leaders in the SEC and much improved from last year. Because of injuries and suspensions for targeting we have found some more players like JP Purvis who has played well. And our secondary hasn't been too bad this year as it appears as if Arnett is starting to minimize using Duncan in coverage as much. As far as the future goes my hope is that we hit the portal and focus hard on getting 2-4 elite EDGE rushers and three safeties. This would allow us to use whoever returns from the Crumedy, Pickering, and Young trio to play inside exclusively. We're also going to need a replacement for Tyrus Wheat. And adding two new OLB EDGE rushers would allow us to slide Jett Johnson inside to MLB which would make us more athletic. If Forbes goes pro I'm fine with DeCam and Banks at CB but losing Green and Matthews at S worries me as far as that position group is concerned unless Ellington and Morant step up along with Duncan.
Special teams
Outside of place kicking this group has been very good outside of an Austin Williams muffed punt. I would like to see us get a kicking specialist like we had when Chris Boniol was here. I don't think Leach would be against it as this could be an off the field position. Anyway we're going to need a new kicker next year no matter what. Our punters have been good overall. That punt to the 1 inch line was about as good as you're ever going to see. Tulu is an elite return guy and Xavion is a very good punt return guy. Coverage and all of that has been good. Just need to fix the place kicking.
Let's hope for a second half that is as good or better than the first half!