First spring pratice article.........

[KB21]

There won't ever be an apology thread because you keep saying everyone that doesn't want to throw it 99%+ of the time is a 'pound the GD ball meathead'. There's no nuance to any of your linear thinking. Analytics have their place, but they can't be the sole guide of a team. Defenses have adjusted and AR has adjusted to that (Lincoln Riley). You also keep throwing out the same inaccurate and asinine statement that Barbay runs a 'run first, pro style offense'. When the man himself has said numerous times that his objective is to find the best playmakers and get them the ball whether it's running 70 times or passing 70 times. You also refuse to acknowledge that both ZA and KB have said numerous times the AR concepts aren't going away.

That's not even diving into the fact that you think Kelce and Goedert shouldn't be on a football field and it's a waste of a player. TEs can catch and block making it easier to hide intentions or switch from a run to a pass if the defense runs a drop 8 or lines up 8 on the LOS.

You are the textbook definition of a midwit. You have enough information and smarts to know that you do in fact know something but not enough to realize how much you don't actually know.

So, when has Barbay ever run an offense that is based around the passing game?

[MrCoachKlein]

Since you love analytics so much, can you explain how a guy who hates throwing was rated top in passing efficiency analytics?

According to Matrix Analytical, Barbay ranks No. 1 among active FBS offensive coordinators in career average pass game efficiency. He was one of just two Group of Five play callers in 2022 to produce an Explosive Pass Rate Percentage above 19 percent with a top 35 scoring efficiency offense.

Among FBS offensive coordinators since 2009, Barbay ranks per Matrix Analytical:

Inside the Top 15 percent in Passing Touchdowns Per Attempt
Inside the Top 20 percent in Fewest Interceptions Per Attempt
Inside the Top 25 percent in both QB Rating and QB Efficiency
Inside the Top 30 percent in Yards Per Attempt

Over the last two seasons, Barbay's offenses combined to averaged 448.01 yards per game and rank in the top 20 nationally. His offenses have consistently scored over 30 points per game, achieving that feat 56 percent of the time with a 33.61 points per game average.

This past season, Barbay's prolific offense ranked inside the top 25 nationally in scoring offense (No. 23 – 34.9), passer rating (No. 19 – 155.80), yards per pass attempt (No. 18 – 8.4), yards per play (No. 22 – 6.56), rushing offense (No. 21 – 204.42) and yards per rush (No. 21 – 5.18).

[KB21]

Since you love analytics so much, can you explain how a guy who hates throwing was rated top in passing efficiency analytics?

According to Matrix Analytical, Barbay ranks No. 1 among active FBS offensive coordinators in career average pass game efficiency. He was one of just two Group of Five play callers in 2022 to produce an Explosive Pass Rate Percentage above 19 percent with a top 35 scoring efficiency offense.

Among FBS offensive coordinators since 2009, Barbay ranks per Matrix Analytical:

Inside the Top 15 percent in Passing Touchdowns Per Attempt
Inside the Top 20 percent in Fewest Interceptions Per Attempt
Inside the Top 25 percent in both QB Rating and QB Efficiency
Inside the Top 30 percent in Yards Per Attempt

Over the last two seasons, Barbay's offenses combined to averaged 448.01 yards per game and rank in the top 20 nationally. His offenses have consistently scored over 30 points per game, achieving that feat 56 percent of the time with a 33.61 points per game average.

This past season, Barbay's prolific offense ranked inside the top 25 nationally in scoring offense (No. 23 – 34.9), passer rating (No. 19 – 155.80), yards per pass attempt (No. 18 – 8.4), yards per play (No. 22 – 6.56), rushing offense (No. 21 – 204.42) and yards per rush (No. 21 – 5.18).

Against Sun Belt and MAC competition, where his teams could out talent the rest of the conference. What did this scheme do when Jim McElwain ran it at Florida?

[MrCoachKlein]

Against Sun Belt and MAC competition, where his teams could out talent the rest of the conference. What did this scheme do when Jim McElwain ran it at Florida?

With the Sun Belt and MAC talent level offensive players he had...

We'll never know about FL since he didn't coach there. He was director of player development. (I'm sure you knew that, but you were trying to spread disinfo to people that don't.)

[KB21]

With the Sun Belt and MAC talent level offensive players he had...

We'll never know about FL since he didn't coach there. He was director of player development. (I'm sure you knew that, but you were trying to spread disinfo to people that don't.)

I'm just reinforcing the fact that Barbay runs McElwain's system, which is the system that was run at Florida.

[MrCoachKlein]

I'm just reinforcing the fact that Barbay runs McElwain's system, which is the system that was run at Florida.

So, you're reinforcing your projections onto a scenario where they don't fit?

That and the beating the dead horse are the issue that 99% of the board has with you. Todd would like to see a system closer to what you want, but if you'll notice he hasn't been berated or degraded like you have because he doesn't 1 make false statements like the one you just made and 2 doesn't keep saying the same false statement over and over.

Personally, I would prefer a pass first offense, but this guy hits all of the almighty analytical metrics and is willing to change his scheme to fit his players. Most coaches don't meet those 2 criteria. We aren't getting CML back. Give the guy a chance.

[KB21]

So, you're reinforcing your projections onto a scenario where they don't fit?

That and the beating the dead horse are the issue that 99% of the board has with you. Todd would like to see a system closer to what you want, but if you'll notice he hasn't been berated or degraded like you have because he doesn't 1 make false statements like the one you just made and 2 doesn't keep saying the same false statement over and over.

Personally, I would prefer a pass first offense, but this guy hits all of the almighty analytical metrics and is willing to change his scheme to fit his players. Most coaches don't meet those 2 criteria. We aren't getting CML back. Give the guy a chance.

Well, I'm certainly not going to act like a guy who has coached with Jim for the majority of his coaching career is going to just say "Nah, not running that scheme." Particularly when it looks exactly like every offense McElwain has run from a formation standpoint, emphasis standpoint, and a play calling standpoint.

But we want to avoid saying it's McElwain's system, because McElwain's system is not good. So, we have to act like this is different so we can feel good about ourselves.

[Homedawg]

I'm just reinforcing the fact that Barbay runs McElwain's system, which is the system that was run at Florida.

That's like saying kingsbury and Riley run the CML system. No they don't.

[Jarius]

Against Sun Belt and MAC competition, where his teams could out talent the rest of the conference. What did this scheme do when Jim McElwain ran it at Florida?

What did Leach’s scheme do when he played SEC talent? Let me give you a hint. It wasn’t worth a shit.

[Cowbell]

What did Leach?s scheme do when he played SEC talent? Let me give you a hint. It wasn?t worth a shit.

Because he still ran it too much***should pass 99% of the time***

[Todd4State]

Since you love analytics so much, can you explain how a guy who hates throwing was rated top in passing efficiency analytics?

According to Matrix Analytical, Barbay ranks No. 1 among active FBS offensive coordinators in career average pass game efficiency. He was one of just two Group of Five play callers in 2022 to produce an Explosive Pass Rate Percentage above 19 percent with a top 35 scoring efficiency offense.

Among FBS offensive coordinators since 2009, Barbay ranks per Matrix Analytical:

Inside the Top 15 percent in Passing Touchdowns Per Attempt
Inside the Top 20 percent in Fewest Interceptions Per Attempt
Inside the Top 25 percent in both QB Rating and QB Efficiency
Inside the Top 30 percent in Yards Per Attempt

Over the last two seasons, Barbay's offenses combined to averaged 448.01 yards per game and rank in the top 20 nationally. His offenses have consistently scored over 30 points per game, achieving that feat 56 percent of the time with a 33.61 points per game average.

This past season, Barbay's prolific offense ranked inside the top 25 nationally in scoring offense (No. 23 – 34.9), passer rating (No. 19 – 155.80), yards per pass attempt (No. 18 – 8.4), yards per play (No. 22 – 6.56), rushing offense (No. 21 – 204.42) and yards per rush (No. 21 – 5.18).

Analytically speaking here- his passing is good. BUT the issue is he only has historically passed 38-45% of the time. He would likely be even better if he passed more. Now no- not saying he should pass 70% of the time. 55-60% though could make a huge difference though. The reason I think his passing metrics are because when he does pass it's typically play action which is analytically considered the most effective play in football. And in the early stages what is kind of disappointing to me is he always makes it a point that his offense is about establishing the run when in reality analytics says he would be a lot better- and likely elite- if he passed to set up the run than the other way around.

And by the way the analytics guy whose numbers you are using basically said "small sample size" when asked about Barbay in an interview recently on the Bo Bounds show.

Honestly, they're kind of tough to find. They typically blow up teams running the ball so well that there's no point in passing. When the run doesn't work Barbay seems to switch to passing more. Wow the ability to adjust. Do you know the 1 year he ran CMU's offense he passed it 4 more times per game and ran it 4 less than the guy before and after him? He didn't even have time to setup the personnel to his liking. Those stats are also heavily skewed by FCS teams that he ran all over without resistance.

Also, you have to remember that App St had 2 great returning RBs a plethora of TE/H-backs and lost 2-3 really good WRs from the year before. Like Barbay has said, he alters his scheme to best fit the talent he has.

App St 2022:
Troy: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...ian-state.html
TX ST: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...xas-state.html

CMU 2021:
Mizzou: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...-missouri.html
LSU: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...ana-state.html
FIU: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...-michigan.html
Miami OH: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...-miami-oh.html
N IL: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...-michigan.html

This is why there is a lot unknown and IMO risk with Barbay. He hasn't really run "his" offense ever. Sure- I'm sure he added some of his touches and whatnot. But at Central Michigan he ran McElwain's offense and at App State they have "their" offense which is very specific to them and highly influenced by their head coach- Shawn Clark. No one really knows what he will do at this point other than from practice reports- 3 and 4 WR sets and some 2 TE sets. So far. IMO IF he meshed Leach's Air Raid concepts with the play action and some more downfield stuff and some exotic plays- halfback pass, reverses, jet sweeps, etc. that he has done our offense could be maximized with the talent we presently have on the roster.

The players and Rosebowl are always hyped up before the next season starts. Regardless of the coach.

Up front I'll say I don't care what offense we run as long as we get 1st downs and score points. And I also love CZA and think he'll be good as HC. Having said that, CZA doesn't have to rebuild a culture, deal with Covid, he's having a spring practice in his 1st year as head coach, he won't have to play a 10 game all-SEC schedule his 1st year while playing a bunch of true FR, and he won't be missing large percentages of players during games next year or the following year. Leach wasn't cut any slack at all by many on here for all of the adversity he faced in rebuilding the program.

So last year with a bunch of true juniors and some seniors, all with a lot of experience, C34 stated anything less than 10-2 was a unacceptable, even though we played Georgia and Bama at Bama. A lot on here felt the same way. That's understandable with our long and storied tradition of 10 win seasons.

Leach went 8-4 just like Mullen did in 2017 with a similar team. Many on here were pretty unhappy with that and remained convinced Leach's offense would never work in the SEC. Even after Pain has pointed out that Leach's 2021 offense exceeded all of Mullen's offenses except 2014. The 2022 offense was minus a stud 1st round OT and a couple of key WRs from the year before.

This year there is no Georgia, we play Bama at home, and if I'm not mistaken we return all our key players with exception of Sharp and Forbes. So ... Holding CZA and Barbay to same standards as many held Leach to, we should be 11-1 and go to playoff. Probably should win SECW, but could possibly lose to an undefeated or 1 loss Bama maybe. But we do have Bama at home and at very least it should be a very close game if we lose. Anything less than 10-2 is a big flop. I personally ain't interested in excuses about no tight end till summer, installation of an offense, or anything along those lines. Barbay is inheriting about as experienced a team as can be inherited, and has stated he can adapt to any set of personnel. He's inheriting a 4th year starter at QB. From an experience standpoint, this team has more experience than the 2018 team. I'm looking forward to our 1st CFP appearance. I'm pumped.

Great post. I think I predicted 9-3 during the regular season and I missed on Kentucky.

What did Leach’s scheme do when he played SEC talent? Let me give you a hint. It wasn’t worth a shit.

No one at MSU has ever had a scheme that consistently lit up bluebloods. We did well against A&M, Auburn, and Arkansas. And if we don't have a plethora of turnovers against Ole Miss we blow them out. The fact that we won with all the turnovers says a lot.

As it is as a MSU fan our realistic expectations should be to have an offense where we compete with bluebloods in a low scoring game and score 30+ on all others. That's because of our talent level.