It has been frustrating season for the Michigan State football program. Coming into the season there were lofty expectations for them as a whole and the defense was thought to be of national championship caliber. Here are a few things driving me crazy about this years squad.
1. The defense is really good and they have fantastic play makers ..however...they have failed to get a stop at the end of a game when they have absolutely needed it. They have had leads at the end of the Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska games and couldn't seal the deal. They also needed a stop at the end of the Ohio State game to give the ball back to the offense for a chance at the win but just couldn't get off the field. Granted the offense hasn't helped them a lot this season but when the strongest part of your team is your defense, they have to produce.
2. Why can't the wide receivers hold on to the ball. Andrew Maxwell hasn't been a great quarterback. But he has been good enough to win games and has thrown some great balls. I have seen them play Ohio State and Nebraska in person and he has thrown some pinpoint accurate passes that the guys have flat out dropped. It frustrates me as a fan but I can only imagine how Maxwell feels. Standing strong in the pocket, getting hit as he throws, dropping a dime and...wait...another drop. AAAAGGGHHHH!
3. The latest collapse is more on the defense, and particularly Johnny Adams, than the officials. Sure the pass interference call was not a good one and I am not sure why they spotted the ball at the 5 when it should have been half the distance to the goal (putting it at the 10). No one on the MSU sideline seemed to notice or say anything. Maybe I just don't know the correct rule. Johnny Adams though...oh my goodness...why on earth would you even go near a guy who is 40 yards away from the ball on a interception. You blindside him, and cost MSU a touchdown, essentially costing them the game because I have seen Nebraska play from way behind and it isn't pretty. For all intensive purposes, the football game is over right there and the pass interference call late in the game doesn't matter. Good defenses find a way to overcome those mistakes but time after time, this defense fails late.
4. This season I have seen read option quarterbacks Denard Robinson and Braxton Miller play and I think Taylor Martinez is faster and more elusive than both. Denard tries to run away from you and Miller tries to run over you. However, Martinez can do both. He gave State fits all day with his shiftiness and next gear that Denard and Miller just don't have. The defense looked confused at times on how to handle him and it showed by his long runs.
The season still has 2 games to go and they need another win to be bowl eligible. That is definitely not what fans expected but hopefully the team will persevere and finish with 2 more wins. Neither will be easy but we expect them to rise up and meet the challenge.
1. The defense is really good and they have fantastic play makers ..however...they have failed to get a stop at the end of a game when they have absolutely needed it. They have had leads at the end of the Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska games and couldn't seal the deal. They also needed a stop at the end of the Ohio State game to give the ball back to the offense for a chance at the win but just couldn't get off the field. Granted the offense hasn't helped them a lot this season but when the strongest part of your team is your defense, they have to produce.
2. Why can't the wide receivers hold on to the ball. Andrew Maxwell hasn't been a great quarterback. But he has been good enough to win games and has thrown some great balls. I have seen them play Ohio State and Nebraska in person and he has thrown some pinpoint accurate passes that the guys have flat out dropped. It frustrates me as a fan but I can only imagine how Maxwell feels. Standing strong in the pocket, getting hit as he throws, dropping a dime and...wait...another drop. AAAAGGGHHHH!
3. The latest collapse is more on the defense, and particularly Johnny Adams, than the officials. Sure the pass interference call was not a good one and I am not sure why they spotted the ball at the 5 when it should have been half the distance to the goal (putting it at the 10). No one on the MSU sideline seemed to notice or say anything. Maybe I just don't know the correct rule. Johnny Adams though...oh my goodness...why on earth would you even go near a guy who is 40 yards away from the ball on a interception. You blindside him, and cost MSU a touchdown, essentially costing them the game because I have seen Nebraska play from way behind and it isn't pretty. For all intensive purposes, the football game is over right there and the pass interference call late in the game doesn't matter. Good defenses find a way to overcome those mistakes but time after time, this defense fails late.
4. This season I have seen read option quarterbacks Denard Robinson and Braxton Miller play and I think Taylor Martinez is faster and more elusive than both. Denard tries to run away from you and Miller tries to run over you. However, Martinez can do both. He gave State fits all day with his shiftiness and next gear that Denard and Miller just don't have. The defense looked confused at times on how to handle him and it showed by his long runs.
The season still has 2 games to go and they need another win to be bowl eligible. That is definitely not what fans expected but hopefully the team will persevere and finish with 2 more wins. Neither will be easy but we expect them to rise up and meet the challenge.
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