If I were MSU, this is what I would do on Saturday night:
Offense:
I'm anxious to watch the OL because I thought we made progress a couple weeks ago. We should be able to move them but our RB's better bring it. They'll need to be decisive and quick to the hole. Any hesitation and they'll get eaten up.
Offense:
- Stay within the base scheme. MSU brings enough in their base offense to hurt us without incorporating other things that teams have hurt us with but happens to be outside of their base. For example, tunnel screens were nearly the only source of offense for Cincinnati and Purdue. That's not something that MSU does frequently, so don't try to copy it.
- Run counter plays relentlessly. I don't think they'll be able to run to the strong side of the field. Their best bet will be to go with weakside counters hoping that they can get our LB's to flow just far enough to take themselves out of the play and then create enough of a pile in the middle of the field where they'll be slow to recover. Brian Allen vs. our NT will be a huge matchup. If Allen gets the better of the matchup we could have a problem creating 2nd & long.
- Play action slant. MSU loves throwing slants. It's a staple of their offense. I'd run quick play action from the shotgun to pull those LB's out of the passing lanes a bit and then hammer slants in behind them. Force Hill and Long to make plays on the ball.
- Use bubble screens. Both Metellus and Kinnel have missed some tackles the past couple games. Make them come up and make tackles in space.
- Don't bother with slow developing pass plays because it will only lead to negative plays. The pass rush is coming, so scrap the play action 7 step drop stuff. There won't be time for it. If the plan is too test the CB's deep, line up in the shotgun and let it fly.
- Use plenty of pre snap motion to try to isolate McCray in pass coverage. To this point, McCray is about the only soft spot UM has shown if you're able to make him run with a RB in pass coverage.
- Be okay with punting. The fastest way for UM to run away with this one is if Lewerke helps them by fumbling or throwing INT's. Take what's there but play conservatively and hang around.
- Stay away from the early down run blitzes. I know that people point to how effective it was against Iowa, but say what you want about UM's OL, the interior lineman have done a nice job in pass protection. If MSU wants to bring their LB's up on early downs, UM will pick them apart with quick play action throws to the TE's. MSU will probably be able to slow the run game without the blitzes...not shut it down...but slow it down to where UM's consistently in 2nd & 7.
- Commit to stopping the run with the S's back. MSU's best hope is that they can stop the run with their front 7 and they can play a lot of cover 2 to help their CB's. It may be better for them to allow a slow bleed vs the run with their S's back rather than getting beat over the top a couple times.
- In passing situations, widen out the DE's to pull UM's T's into space and attack the gaps. Purdue tried this a couple of times and it led to miscommunication.
- Run plenty of stunts & twists and wait for a crack. Contrary to the opinion of some, UM hasn't been terrible picking up stunts & twists, but when they miss one it usually results in a free run. Keep bringing those stunts and eventually it may lead to a turnover.
- Don't let Grant Perry beat them. Somewhat surprisingly too me, Perry has been a security blanket for both Speight and O'Korn. Force O'Korn to look elsewhere.
- Go against tendency on defense. O'Korn hasn't proven that he can work through progressions effectively, so show him different presnap looks to slow his decision making. Show him some things he hasn't seen yet.
I'm anxious to watch the OL because I thought we made progress a couple weeks ago. We should be able to move them but our RB's better bring it. They'll need to be decisive and quick to the hole. Any hesitation and they'll get eaten up.
