MSUFR Defense at Wisconsin

by DrDetroit on Sep 30, 2009 7:15 AM CDT Comment 9 comments

[Autobumped. WOOOO, more metrics! -KJ]

Hopefully this is another improvement to the MSUFR. I have tried to define a better scoring system and I am sure it will be an ongoing improvement throughout the year. I should also be includnig drive totals and color to indicate the end of a drive. If someone knows the html color code for the correct green please post it in the comments. Lastly, if someone knows how to convert MPEG 2 video into WMV files I will be able to start putting up HD videos.

Play by play courtesy of ESPN

Time	Quarter	Down	LOS	Offense Set	Defense Set and Play	Result
14:08	1	4th and 9	MSU 21	Punt Return	Punt Coverage	Aaron Bates punt for 37 yards to the MchSt 21, no return, MICHIGAN ST penalty 15 yard kick catching interference accepted.
37 Weaver does a nice job of beating the blocker to get to the PR, but does so before the ball arrives. 18 Bates kicks the bal high enough to allow the coverage to arrive. Bates +1, Weaver -1
14:00	1	1st and 10	MSU 43	Ace Twin TE R	4-3 Man	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete to Nick Toon
Wisconsin keeps both TEs in to block. The d-line is doubled except for 89 Neely. MSU has 7 defenders to cover 3 WRs. The pass from the QB is short. 38 Kendell Davis-Clark's man was open. 38 KDC -1.
13:55	1	2nd and 10	MSU 43	Offset I	4-3 Stack	Zach Brown rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 40.
70 Wilson and 99 Worthy get off their blocks to make the tackle with 53 Jones. 43 Gordon reads the play but gets blocked by the FB. 58 Anderson is blocked by the TE. 70 Wilson +1, 99 Worthy +1, 58 Anderson -1, 43 Gordon -1
13:21	1	3rd and 7	MSU 40	Shotgun Trips L	3-3-5, 2 LB Blitz	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete.
MSU sends 53 Jones and 34 Denson on the blitz. 34 Denson looks like he is sight seeing. 53 Jones hits the QB as the ball is released. ESPN does not show a replay where you can see the secondary. 53 Jones +1, 34 Denson -1.
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 3 plays 3 yards, 01:03 Wisc PUNT
11:50	1	4th and 2	MSU 11	Punt Return	Punt Coverage	Aaron Bates punt for 46 yards, fair catch by David Gilreath at the Wisc 43.
18 Bates has another great punt allowing 34 Denson and 37 Weaver to get coverage downfield. 18 Bates +1, 34 Denson +1, 37 Weaver +1.
11:11	1	1st and 10	WIS 43	Offset I Weak, Twin WR	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Nick Toon for 8 yards to the MchSt 49
The FB cut blocks 58 Anderson. 99 Worthy drives back the LG 5 yards. Wisconsin rolled out the pocket to avoid pressure. It looks like 38 Davis-Clark blew his coverage on this play. 9 Ware is in man coverage. 34 Denson picks up the HB in man coverage. 38 KDC never followed the WR when he went in motion. 39 Robinson makes a nice tackle fighting off a blocking WR. 39 Robinson +1, 38 KDC -1. Video included
10:31	1	2nd and 2	MSU 49	3WR, Offset I	4-3	Zach Brown rush for a loss of 4 yards to the Wisc 47
Wisconsin gives a look of 3WR, but I think the third WR is a TE. So I should not complain about MSU being in a 4-3. The DBs are up close jamming the WRs at the LOS. MSU makes a pre-snap adjustment to the play as 89 Neely stands up to be on the TE. The entire defense except for 38 KDC reads the play after the snap (he is actually doing a good job of man coverage here). 9 Ware attacks into the backfield taking out the FB and forcing the HB deeper. 58 Anderson is unblocked. 89 Neely is blocked by the TE. 99 Worthy beats the LG and is in on the tackle with 36 Misch. 36 Misch did a great job of avoiding the block of the pulling LT and making the TFL. 9 Ware +1, 99 Worthy +2, 36 Misch +2, 89 Neely -1
9:50	1	3rd and 6	WIS 47	4WR	3-3-5, 2LB Blitz	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Lance Kendricks for 7 yards to the MchSt 46 for a 1ST down.
MSU goes to a nickel coverage by pulling a d-lineman instead of a LB. Then sends two LBs on the blitz. It is picked up by Wisconsin. No kidding, 5 o-lineman plus the HB to stop 5 pass rushers. I guess I should not say much, it is just that I am not a fan of the 3-3-5. 58 Anderson beats the RT to get pressure. 43 Gordon has coverage on the HB, sees he is blocking and then blitzes, but that is way to late to do anything. 40 Jenrette has nice coverage on the WR. The problem with this play is that all of the MSU DBs are 7+ yards off the LOS. So a quick dump underneath and it is a first down for Wisconsin. 40 Jenrette makes the tackle. I think this one should have been reviewed for the spot of the ball. 29 L. Rucker had nice coverage on a TE. 40 Jenrette +1, 29 L. Rucker +1, Dantonio -1, Narduzzi -1 Video included
9:23	1	1st and 10	MSU 46	Offset I Weak, Twin TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 41.
89 Neely gets buried by the FB. 58 Anderson gets by the LT but is too far away to make a play. 99 Worthy gets pancaked. 96 Pickelman gets off a block too late to make a play. The LT buries 53 Jones. The pulling LG blocks 36 Misch in the backfield. The pulling TE blocks 43 Gordon. 40 Jenrette comes up to make the tackle. 39 Robinson reads the play correctly and moves up to make a TFL on the outside, but 36 Misch's penetration forced the HB to cut up the field and negate the good read of Robinson. 40 Jenrette +1, 89 Neely -1, 99 Worthy -1, 43 Gordon -1
8:47	1	2nd and 5	MSU 41	Offset I Weak, TE at H-Back	4-3	John Clay rush for a loss of 4 yards to the MchSt 45.
MSU again adjusts their DEs to Wisconsin's motion. 58 Anderson is up when the TE is there, then goes back to a 3 point stance when he motions away. 89 Neely is cut blocked by the TE. 53 Jones avoids the block of the C. 43 Gordon is blocked by the LT. 36 Misch is blocked by the FB. 99 Worthy beats the LG and makes the TFL even though the LG was tackling him. 99 Worthy +2, 53 Jones +1, 36 Misch -1. 89 Neely -1 Video Included
8:10	1	3rd and 9	MSU 45	Shotgun, 3WR, TE at H Back	3-3-5, LB Blitz	Zach Brown rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 43.
I thought this was nickel at first and got excited. Sigh. MSU has man press coverage on the outside and a small cushion on the slot WR. 55 Decker gets around the LT and gets to the HB to assist on the tackle. 58 Anderson reads the play and gets around the RT but misses the HB. 57 Strayhorn gets off his block and is in on the tackle. I think it is 36 Misch who blitzes. He just gets buried by the LG. 55 Decker reads the play but misses the TFL. 55 Decker +1, 57 Strayhorn +1, 36 Misch -1, 58 Anderson -1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 6 plays 14 yards, 03:50 Wisc PUNT
Cousins staring down his WRs highlights.
4:27	1	1st and 10	WIS 50	Ace, H Back	4-3 Man	Scott Tolzien rush for 14 yards to the MchSt 36 for a 1ST down.
Wisconsin fakes the end around and run and does a naked boot leg QB run. 89 Neely follows the HB losing outside contain. The rest of the line is negated since the play is away from them. 36 Misch reads the play wrong and run himself away from the QB. 43 Gordon reads the play correctly but gets smashed when he is blocked and a WR falls in front of him. I am glad he did not get hurt. 40 Jenrette beat the WR and makes the tackle. 53 Jones was blocked and out of the play. 40 Jenrette +1, 89 Neely -1, 36 Misch -1, 53 Jones -1.
3:59	1	1st and 10	MSU 36	Offset I, TE at H Back	4-3	John Clay rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 31.
MSU again adjusts to the TE motion. 58 Anderson stands up as the TE comes into the H back position. Wisconsin blocks down leaving 58 Anderson and sweeping the rest of the d-line away. 58 Anderson tried to hit the TE, but misses then avoids the block of the FB to be in on the tackle. 36 Misch gets blocked by the TE. 9 Ware gets off a WR block and is in on the tackle. 9 Ware +1, 36 Misch -1.
3:20	1	2nd and 5	MSU 31	I, TE at H Back	4-3	Zach Brown rush for 8 yards to the MchSt 23 for a 1ST down.
89 Neely is unblocked because they play is going away from him. 58 Anderson crashes inside and the play goes outside. 53 Jones avoids a block but can not make a tackle. 36 Misch reads the play correctly but misses the tackle. 43 Gordon gets blocked by the TE. 40 Jenrette makes the tackle. 53 Jones +1, 40 Jenrette +1, 43 Gordon -1, 36 Misch -1
2:40	1	1st and 10	MSU 23	Ace, Twin TE	4-3	Isaac Anderson rush for 14 yards to the MchSt 9 for a 1ST down.
Wiscon play fakes a trap block and runs an end around. 36 Misch reads the play, avoids the block of the LT and then gets blocked from behind by the LT springing the WR for a big gain. How the refs missed that one I don't know. 38 Davis-Clark and 39 Robinson make the tackle. 36 Misch +1, 38 KDC +1, 39 Robinson +1 Video Included
2:14	1	1st and Goal	MSU 9	I, Double TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 5.
Too many bodies to really see anything. 38 Davis-Clark reads the play and forces the HB to cut the other way. 36 Misch is blocked by a TE. The d-line held their ground keeping this to a short gain. 38 KDC +1, 36 Misch -1.
2nd and Goal at MSU 5 WISCONSIN penalty 10 yard holding accepted.
MSU actually got burned on this play. The TE dropped the ball. I think I would have declined the penalty to make it 3rd and goal, but I am not actually coaching.
1:26	1	2nd and Goal	MSU 15	4WR Ace Trips R	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Garrett Graham for 15 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
This is a scheme failure against MSU. Against at least 3WR and a TE MSU stays in their base 4-3 defense. MSU is in a zone and the OLBs have coverage in the flat. The DBs are in press coverage on the outside WRs. They do a good job. I am not sure what cover zone this because 53 Jones drops deep. The ball is out in under two seconds and the pocket is collapsing around the QB. The TE simply ran up the field through the zone and caught the ball. This scheme of not playing a nickel is stupid and will continue to burn MSU all year. Narduzzi -1 Video Included
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 6 plays 50 yards, 03:05 Wisc TD
MSU Running the Ball, Cousins looking aruond, Not Running and the TD Videos
13:06	2	N/A	MSU 30	Kick Return	Kick Coverage	Brett Swenson kickoff for 69 yards returned by David Gilreath for 29 yards to the Wisc 30.
The coverage was unable to get off their blocks. 34 Denson comes in and makes a nice hit on the KR for the tackle.
13:00	2	1st and 10	WIS 30	Offset I, Twin WR	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Mickey Turner for 6 yards to the Wisc 36.
There was an offsetting penalty play that was not included by ESPN's play by play. MSU is in man coverage. 58 Anderson is blocked by the HB. He is worried about the cut block and is not able to get back up quick enough to knock down the pass in the flat to the QB. MSU is in man coverage, I think 53 Jones was supposed to be on the FB. 11 Hyde comes up to make the tackle. 11 Hyde +1, 58 Anderson -1, 53 Jones -1
12:10	2	2nd and 4	WIS 36	Ace Twin TE	4-3, 2 LB Blitz	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Lance Kendricks for 16 yards to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down.
MSU sends 2 LBs and gets pressure, but not to the QB. 89 Neely attempts to go around the HB, if he had either stopped and went for the ball or tried to run over the HB he would have been in the throwing lane. 43 Gordon is no where near the man he is covering. 37 Ross Weaver makes the tackle. 37 Weaver +1, 89 Neely -1, 43 Gordon -1
11:42	2	1st and 10	MSU 48	Offset I Weak, Twin WR		Scott Tolzien pass incomplete to Nick Toon.
96 Pickelman drives the LG back into the QB, I guess that is pressure. Although it leaves a lot to be desire. Pressure -2. 29 L. Rucker has nice coverage on an underthrown ball. Everyone was covered, Secondary +1. 29 L. Rucker +1, 37 Weaver +1, 33 Fortener +1, 11 Hyde +1, 54 Rolf -2, 96 Pickelman -2, 89 Neely -2 (can not tell if it is him, so he gets the points.) 99 Worthy -2
11:32	2	2nd and 10	MSU 48	Ace 3WR	4-3	John Clay rush for 18 yards to the MchSt 30 for a 1ST down.
This is a legit 3WR and MSU stays in its 4-3 base defense. 29 L. Rucker has press coverage but does not bump the WR coming off the line. The other DBs are playing 10 yards off the LOS. 91 Hoover gets blocked by the TE. 54 Rolf reads the play and goes no where. I actually think he did the right thing whether he tried or not. Wisconsin Trap blocks pushing the DTs out of the play. The pulling LG tackles 53 Jones. 36 Misch reads the play and attacks the hole. The HB sees him and bounces it outside. 36 Misch is in the hole and can not make a play on the HB. 37 Weaver misses a tackle. 33 Fortener pushes the HB out of bounds. 33 Fortener +1, 36 Misch -1, 37 Weaver -1 Video Included
10:54	2	1st and 10	MSU 30	Offset I	4-3 Stack	Zach Brown rush for 8 yards to the MchSt 22.
DBs are in press coverage. 96 Pickelman gets doubled. 54 Rolf is blocked by the TE. 43 Gordon is crushed by the FB. 53 Jones avoids the block of the pulling RG and makes the tackle. 33 Fortener gets blocked by a WR. 53 Jones +1, 43 Gordon -1, 54 Rolf -1, 33 Fortener -1 Video Included
10:17	2	2nd and 2	MSU 22	I, TE at WR	4-3 Under	Scott Tolzien rush for no gain to the MchSt 22.
36 Misch moves up to the line showing blitz. He gets blocked by the TE. 58 Anderson attacks inside, which is exactly what the Badgers want since the play goes outside. The RT hardly even blocks him on the play. 53 Jones avoids a block by the RG. 96 Pickelman does a nice job of beating the LG to get into the backfield. 92 Ishmyl Johnson is on the field. I do not think I have mentioned his name this year. He actually does a nice job of holding his ground. 29 L. Rucker reads the play and makes a nice tackle for no gain. 29 L. Rucker +1, 53 Jones +1
9:30	2	3rd and 2	MSU 22	Ace Twin WR	4-3 Man	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Isaac Anderson for 16 yards to the MchSt 6 for a 1ST down.
DBs are in press coverage. 58 Anderson fights hard to get near the QB, but there is no pressure. Wisconsin kept 7 in to block. I do not know what the LBs are doing on this play. Anyone? It'll be in the highlight film. One safety whose number I can not see has the TE in man coverage. The LBs are just hanging out. 29 L. Rucker has great coverage. 9 Ware misses his bump on the WR and thinks he is beat deep, from then he is behind the play and gets beat. 39 Robinson makes the tackle. MSU does not get pressure, but it is 6 on 4. 29 L. Rucker +1, 39 Robinson +1, 9 Ware -1 Video included
9:02	2	1st and Goal	MSU 6	Ace 4WR	4-3 2 LB Blitz	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Garrett Graham for 6 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
Wisconsin has a TE lined up at WR, so it really is only 3 Wide. 53 Jones is picked up on the biltz but 43 Gordon gets into the backfield where the HB barely clips him preventing him from getting to the QB. Dear God. I think Wisconsin has 3 players open, and the QB threw the ball to the one who is best covered for a TD. I got nothing. I am looking at this scene and I have no idea what to say to describe it. I honestly have to guess that this is how MSU drew up this defense. Video included.
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 8 plays 70 yards, 04:11 Wisc TD
7:37	2	1st and 10	WIS 31	Ace, 3WR, H Back	4-3 LB, CB Blitz	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete.
Play action rollout. MSU sends 43 Gordon on an outside blitz and 29 L. Rucker. Of course the play is away from the blitz. 58 Anderson is blocked by a WR. Most of the d-line gets through the o-line, but the QB has rolled out of the pocket so the o-line hardly even tried to block. The QB has time to throw but no one is open, so kudos to the secondary. 36 Misch leaves the TE when it looks like the QB might run. The QB throws to the TE, but it is into the ground. Robinson +1, 53 Jones +1, 11 Hyde +1, 9 Ware +1, 58 Anderson -1, 36 Misch -1
7:30	2	2nd and 10	WIS 31	Ace 3WR	4-3	MICHIGAN ST penalty 5 yard Encroachment accepted.
70 Wilson crushes the LG. Too bad it was before the snap. 70 Wilson -1
7:30	2	2nd and 5	WIS 36	Ace Twin TE	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Lance Kendricks for 8 yards to the Wisc 44 for a 1ST down.
MSU is in a 4-3 stack. I do not think I have seen the defense us any other formation. The DBs are on the LOS for tight coverage. 58 Anderson is blocked by the HB, but he avoids most of that block. The QB sees him and releases the ball quickly into the flat just out of the reach of 43 Gordon. 43 Gordon recovers and makes the tackle. This play is a little odd to me. The DBs are on the LOS, but do not jam the WRs coming off the line. 9 Ware stops covering his WR and switches to a TE while looking into the backfield. So, is he in zone?
6:59	2	1st and 10	WIS 44	Offset I	4-3	John Clay rush for 5 yards to the Wisc 49.
MSU sends 38 Davis-Clark on a CB blitz. He sees the play and adjusts to assist on the tackle. 89 Neely is blocked by the TE. 36 Misch gets blocked by the FB. 70 Wilson splits a double team and just misses on the tackle. 53 Jones does a nice job of engaging blockers to hold up the HB allowing 43 Gordon and 36 Misch to get in on the tackle. 38 KDC +1, 36 Misch -1, 89 Neely -1
WISCONSIN penalty 5 yard false start accepted.
6:07	2	2nd and 10	WIS 44	Shotgun HB Weak	4-3	MICHIGAN ST penalty 10 yard pass interference accepted.
3WRs on the field, MSU stays in a 4-3. DBs are on the LOS. Slot WR is uncovered. 38 Davis-Clark pulls the WRs jersey and then bumps him before the ball arrives. 38 KDC -1
5:58	2	1st and 10	MSU 46	Offset I	4-3	Zach Brown rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 45.
I think this is more of an Ace Twin TE, but so far I have been calling it an offset I so I will stay with that nomenclature this week. It really is not an offset I because the FB is really a TE who motions into the backfield and is lined up between the RT and TE. MSU sends 43 Gordon on a blitz and he gets crushed by the FB. 58 Anderson keeps outside contain and forces the HB back inside. 40 Jenrette makes the tackle. 40 Jenrette +1, 43 Gordon -1
5:18	2	2nd and 9	MSU 45	Ace 3WR	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete.
3WRs, 3 LBs. Sigh. I just do not get this. The DBs are at the LOS but again let the WRs release. 99 Worthy knocks the ball down at the LOS. 99 Worthy +1
5:15	2	3rd and 9	MSU	Shotgun 3WR HB Weak	3-3-5	45 Scott Tolzien pass complete to David Gilreath for 14 yards to the MchSt 31 for a 1ST down.
This is not actually a 3-3-5. This is is a 3-4 Nickel scheme. MSU adjusts to have a NT and 3 LBs, with the extra DB replacing a LB and is lined up over the slot WR. DBs are on the LOS. 2 LB blitz. DBs let the WRs release off the line, except 9 Ware who jams the WR. AWESOME!!!!!! SUPER AWESOME!!!!! 53 Jones BLOCKS the other blitzer. I think its 34 Denson. 53 Jones gets blocked by the RG which pushes him into the path of 34 Denson. For the love of God. The RG blocked the two MSU blitzers by himself. This defensive scheme just blows. Why would you change between a 3-4 and 4-3 for passing downs. Its just stupid. Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid. 38 Davis-Clark had coverage. I really don't think he could have done anything different to stop the play. He makes the tackle preventing any YAC. 38 KDC +1
4:45	2	1st and 10	MSU 31	Offset I Twin WR	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Isaac Anderson for 5 yards to the MchSt 26.
ESPN decided a close up of the TE was more important than showing the play. The QB rolls out of the pocket and 36 Misch, I think he is blitzing, splits a pair of blockers to get pressure. The QB throws to the WR covered by 55 Adam Decker. I do not know what Decker was doing. He is literally standing watching the play with his hands on his hips and he isn't even wearing a helmet. Who covers like that? Honestly, the guy in the golf shirt and kahki shorts had better coverage. 53 Jones misses a tackle. No one really makes a tackle on this play as the WR goes down by himself. After reviewing this more I am guessing that 9 Ware went to get a beer and that is why the WR was so open. 36 Misch +1, 9 Ware -1, 53 Jones -1, 57 Strayhorn -1, 54 Rolf -1, 96 Pickelman -1, 70 Wilson -1.
4:07	2	2nd and 5	MSU 26	Ace Twin WR	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete to Nick Toon.
DBs are on the LOS but do not jam the WRs coming off the line. It looks like Wisconsin ran a pick with the outside WR clipping 38 Davis-Clark to get the inside WR open deep. The only way to prevent this is to jam on the LOS. 54 Rolf is starting to get pressure and it also looks like 58 Anderson is coming off his blocker. So no negatives for the d-line. The QB just overthrew the pass. 38 KDC -1
3:59	2	3rd and 5	MSU 26	Ace 4WR	3-4 Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Garrett Graham for 5 yards to the MchSt 21 for a 1ST down.
Man, what should we counter this 4WR look with? I know 3 LBS!!!! Have I mentioned how stupid this defensive scheme is? It is honestly painful to review. 34 Denson blitzes and gets blocked by the HB. 53 Jones makes the tackle and should have been called for Pass Interference. He blew his coverage on this play and bumped the TE before the ball arrived. It looked like he was trying to get an INT but then realized the ball was thrown outside so he had to dive to make the tackle. If he had just played solid defense he would have prevented the first down. 34 Denson -1, 53 Jones -1, Narduzzi -1,000,000,000 Hopefully my rage against this scheme now ends.
3:30	2	1st and 10	MSU 21	Ace 3WR	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Nick Toon for 18 yards to the MchSt 3, MICHIGAN ST penalty 2 yard face mask accepted for a 1ST down.
Technically one of the WRs is a TE, so I can see using a 4-3 on this play. The defense looks like it is in Cover 2 Man. The pocket collapses around the QB, so there is pressure. 29 L. Rucker had decent coverage but fell off after the WR made his cut. Then he grabbed the facemask, released and made the tackle. 29 L. Rucker +1, 29 L. Rucker -1.
3:10	2	1st and Goal	MSU 1	Goal Line	Goal Line	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete.
MSU has 5 d-linemen on the field. The blow threw the line and the QB throws the ball away out of the back of the endzone. I think I need to start drinking while I review the film. 48 Drew Stevens is in the game. I think it is the first time he is in the game today. Why would you put a guy in for the first time in a 1st and goal situation? Hey, you haven't played yet, its 1st and goal! Get in there! The coverage was good though as the LBs read the play correctly. Except for 39 Robinson who never fell back from the LOS and left an open man at the back of the endzone. 53 Jones +1, 43 Gordon +1, 48 Stevens +1, 29 L. Rucker +1, 11 Hyde +1, 39 Robinson -1
3:02	2	2nd and Goal	MSU 1	Goal Line	Goal Line	John Clay rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.
MSU sends 48 Stevens and 43 Gordon on blitzes. The LT cut blocks taking out 96 Pickelman and 43 Gordon. 48 Stevens is blocked by the FB and creates a pile that collects the pulling LG. 53 Jones reads the play and misses the tackle. The d-line did a good job on this play of taking out the entire o-line and giving 53 Jones room to work. He just missed the tackle giving up the TD. 99 Worthy +1, 70 Wilson +1, 96 Pickelman +1, 53 Jones -1, 43 Gordon -1, 48 Stevens -1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 12 plays 69 yards, 04:40 Wisc TD
1:37	2	4th and 16	MSU 15	Punt Return	Punt Coverage	Aaron Bates punt for 37 yards, fair catch by David Gilreath at the Wisc 48.
37 Weaver and 34 Denson were blocked on this play, I have no idea why the PR made the fair catch.
1:32	2	1st and 10	WIS 48	Shotgun HB Weak	Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete to Isaac Anderson.
Zone blitz. MSU sends the Nickelback on a blitz and drops a d-lineman into coverage. The blocking was 6 on 3, oddly enough there was no pressure. But there was blown coverage. MSU was lucky the ball was poorly thrown. No idea who was supposed to cover this part of the field, but 39 Robinson is getting blamed. 39 Robinson -1
1:26	2	2nd and 10	WIS 48	Shotgun HB Weak	Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete to Garrett Graham.
MSU sends 2 LBs and a CB on a blitz. Our blitz packages just suck. The QB saw the blitz and got the ball out with no pressure. The TE just dropped the pass.
1:22	2	3rd and 10	WIS 48	Shotgun 4WR	Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete.
Another shitty blitz. The QB overthrows the ball. 58 Anderson got pressure. 58 Anderson +1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 3 plays 0 yards, 00:21 Wisc PUNT
0:53	2	4th and 7	MSU 35	Punt Return	Punt Coverage	Aaron Bates punt for 41 yards, returned by David Gilreath for 3 yards to the Wisc 27.
It is a nice kick that gives the coverage time to get to the PR. 37 Weaver misses the tackle, gets up and makes the tackle. 34 Denson misses on his attempt for a tackle. 37 Weaver +1, 37 Weaver -1, 34 Denson -1
0:43	2	1st and 10	WIS 27	Ace 3WR	Nickel	Zach Brown rush for 4 yards to the Wisc 31.
58 Anderson and the NT fight hard to make the tackle. I can't see the number of the NT but it looks like 57 Strayhorn. 58 Anderson +1, 57 Strayhorn +1.
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 1 play 4 yards, 00:43 seconds HALFTIME
15:00	3	N/A	MSU 30	Kick Return	Kick Coverage	Brett Swenson kickoff for 66 yards returned by David Gilreath for 11 yards to the Wisc 15.
34 Denson races down the field and makes a great open field tackle. Denson +1
14:57	3	1st and 10	WIS 15	I Double TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 13 yards to the Wisc 28 for a 1ST down.
58 Anderson loses outside contain. 43 Gordon gets blocked. 40 Jenrette misses a tackle. 53 Jones hustles downfield and makes a tackle. 58 Anderson -1, 43 Gordon -1, 40 Jenrette -1
14:34	3	1st and 10	WIS 28	I 2FBish	4-3 2LB Blitz	John Clay rush for 6 yards to the Wisc 34.
Wisconsin starts in a twin TE but moves the 2nd TE to in between an offset I FB position and H back. 36 Misch blitzes and is picked up by the TE. The C and RG pick up 53 Jones. 70 Wilson gets off his block but misses on a difficult tackle. 43 Gordon misses a tackle. 39 Robinson and 40 Jenrette make the tackle. 39 Robinson +1, 40 Jenrette +1,36 Misch -1, 43 Gordon -1
13:55	2	2nd and 4	WIS 34	I H-back Weak	4-3 Man	Zach Brown rush for a loss of 5 yards, fumbled, recovered by MchSt at the Wisc 29.
The HB drops the pitch. 89 Neely is sealed inside by the H back but gets off the block to recover the fumble. 89 Neely +1, 89 Neely -1.
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 3 plays 14 yards, 01:11 Wisc FUMB
11:31	3	N/A	MSU 30	Kick Return	Kick Coverage	Brett Swenson kickoff for 55 yards returned by Bradie Ewing for 12 yards to the Wisc 27.
The kick is short but the coverage is great and Wisconsin gets basically no return. At this point my head is pounding and continuing the UFR is simply painful. I am guessing my sarcasm and negativity will dominate the rest of this review. Especially during this 17 play drive. Ugh.
11:24	3	1st and 10	WIS 27	Ace Twin TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 6 yards to the Wisc 33.
4-3 Stack defense. I guess over and under are too complicated to introduce. Plus that would give the offense something different to look at, and that would be no fun. The Badgers fake the end around and the o-line creates a 7 yard hole for the back to run through. He somehow manages to find the hole for positive yards. 36 Misch reads the play, charges through the line avoiding all blockers and misses the tackle. 43 Gordon continues his routine of being a blocking dummy. 53 Jones makes the tackle. 43 Gordon -1, 36 Misch -1
10:50	3	2nd and 4	WIS 33	Offset I	4-3, 2 LB Blitz	John Clay rush for 2 yards to the Wisc 35.
MSU sends two LBs on the blitz. They are lucky this is a run because the blitz was picked up. 53 Jones gets blocked by the C, but gets off the block and makes the tackle for a short gain. 53 Jones really is a great player but this crappy scheme is going to negate any positive press for him.
10:16	3	3rd and 2	WIS 35	I Twin TE	5-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Lance Kendricks for 4 yards to the Wisc 39 for a 1ST down.
This probably should be considered a short yardage or goal line package for MSU. MSU is in zone defense except no one goes into the flat. 43 Gordon -1
9:45	3	1st and 10	WIS 39	I Twin TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 2 yards to the Wisc 41.
99 Worthy makes a nice swim move that almost works. He gets off his block and moves down the LOS to make a tackle with 53 Jones. 43 Gordon and 36 Misch look like they are trying to run into blockers. 58 Anderson does a nice job of keeping outside contain. 43 Gordon -1, 36 Misch -1
9:10	3	2nd and 8	WIS 41	Ace 3WR	4-3	John Clay rush for 6 yards to the Wisc 47.
MSU shifts to a 4-3 Under, which immediatly gives away the fact that the team is blitzing. Also, the MSU Blitz law holds as the play goes the other way. 99 Worthy gets into the backfield but can not make a play. DT do make room for the LBs to make plays. 99 Worthy goes behind the pulling RG instead of getting in his way. The RG goes upfield and annihilates 53 Jones. 36 Misch gets blocked by a WR who falls into 96 Pickelman's legs hurting him. 9 Ware tackle's poorly, but I guess its a tackle. 36 Misch -1
8:	3	3rd and 2	WIS 47	Offset I Weak, H Back	4-3	John Clay rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 48 for a 1ST down.
I was going to basically ignore this play because this UFR is just painful. But 36 Misch avoids a block to make a tackle. 43 Gordon even avoided a block. I don't think he did it on purpse though. Misch +1
8:33	3	1st and 10	MSU 48	Offset I Weak, Twin TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 44.
It is a safety blitz that does not work. 53 Jones avoids blockers and makes the tackle.
8:00	3	2nd and 6	MSU 44	I Twin TE	4-3	Zach Brown rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 42.
43 Gordon gets blocked. 29 L. Rucker gets stiff armed. 43 Gordon -1, 29 L. Rucker -1
7:30	3	3rd and 4	MSU 42	I 2TE	4-3 Over	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Zach Brown for 12 yards to the MchSt 42, WISCONSIN penalty 10 yard illegal block accepted.
70 Wilson gets into the backfield to get pressure on the QB. 36 Misch can keep coverage of the HB. The HB puts a great fake on 39 Robinson, but Robinson still makes the tackle. 70 Wilson +1, 39 Robinson +1, 36 Misch -1
7:20	3	3rd and 2	MSU 40	Offset I Weak, Twin TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 38 for a 1ST down.
Wisconsin gets penalized for a block in the back. So, instead of having to convert a 3rd and 4, they have to convert a 3rd and 2. Somehow I think MSU get screwed with this penalty. 89 Neely gets 3 offensive players to block him, and yet no one else on defense can stop the HB. A TE that fell down knocked 43 Gordon out of the play. I honestly can't make this crap up. 36 Misch takes on a blocker who was on the ground. Its like Misch and Gordon are trying to run into blockers rather than avoid them. 89 Neely +1, 43 Gordon -1, 36 Misch -1
6:32	3	1st and 10	MSU 38	I 2 TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 33.
Wow. 36 Misch avoided enough of a block to make a tackle. 36 Misch +1
5:	3	2nd and 5	MSU 33	I Twin TE		John Clay rush for no gain to the MchSt 33.
89 Neely avoids the block of a TE and just misses on a TFL, but gets enough of the HB to ensure no gain. 99 Worthy is also there to keep the HB from avoiding the tackle. 89 Neely +1, 99 Worthy +1
5:19	3	3rd and 5	MSU 33	Shotgun 4WR	Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Garrett Graham for 9 yards to the MchSt 24 for a 1ST down.
Bad scheme with a bad blitz package
4:45	3	1st and 10	MSU 24	Offset I	4-3	John Clay rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 23.
I think both OLBs blitz. 53 Jones reads the play and gets pancaked by the pulling LG. 43 Gordon gets blocked by the FB. 58 Anderson gets a hand on the HB to slow him up allowing 40 Jenrette to make the tackle. 40 Jenrette +1, 43 Gordon -1, 53 Jones -1
4:00	3	2nd and 9	MSU 23	Ace 3WR	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete.
This is a 3WR set with a TE as a WR. 99 Worthy knocks down the pass at the LOS. I think if he had not knocked the ball down 53 Jones might have intercepted the pass. 99 Worth +1. Secondary +1
4:01	3	3rd and 9	MSU 23	Shotgun 4WR	Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass incomplete.
Another bad blitz. 58 Anderson hits the QB. The WRs are all covered. I think the QB was just lofting the pass hoping to make something happen. Secondary +1, 58 Anderson +1
3:56	3	4th and 9	MSU 23	FG	FG Block	Philip Welch 41 yard field goal GOOD.
MSU tries to block the FG but can not get there. The FG is barely good.
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 17 plays 50 yards, 07:40 Wisc FG
1:25	3	N/A	MSU 30	Kick Return	Kick Coverage	Brett Swenson kickoff for 70 yards returned by David Gilreath for 32 yards to the Wisc 32.
Someone lost outside contain.
1:19	3	1st and 10	WIS 32	Offset I	4-3	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Isaac Anderson for 45 yards to the MchSt 23 for a 1ST down.
DBs in tight coverage. MSU puts the DBs on the LOS but does not have them jam the WRs. 9 Ware gets beat on a double move. He probably should have face guarded and he might have broken the play up. 9 Ware -1
0:52	3	1st and 10	MSU 23	I Twin TE	4-3 Under	John Clay rush for 1 yard to the MchSt 22.
55 Adam Decker is in for Greg Jones. He avoids a block and makes the tackle. 55 Decker +1
0:05	3	2nd and 9	MSU 22	I 2 TE	4-3 Man	John Clay rush for 3 yards to the MchSt 19.
MSU is playing a lot of back ups to rest the starters. This is going to happen when you give up a 17 play drive. 55 Decker and 43 Gordon get blocked on the play. 40 Jenrette makes the tackle. 40 Jenrette +1, 43 Gordon -1, 55 Decker -1
15:00	4	3rd and 6	MSU 19	3WR, TE	Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Nick Toon for 19 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
MSU does not jam at the line and the WR runs right by 38 Davis-Clark. There is one safety deep playing zone since the other safety is responsible for the HB. Another shitty blitz package. 38 KDC -1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 4 plays 68 yards, 01:29 Wisc TD
13:41	4	1st and 10	MSU 32	I 2TE	4-3 Over	John Clay rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 30.
Wow, 4-3 Over. Do you think its a blitz? LB and safety blitz. 39 Robinson follows the play and makes a tackle for a short gain. I am not even going to bother scoring this crap.
13:33	4	2nd and 8	MSU 30			John Clay rush for 7 yards to the MchSt 23.
All 3 LBs see the run and get blocked. The d-line gets blown off the line. What do you expect they have been on the field for almost the entire half.
12:20	4	3rd and 1	MSU 23	I Twin TE	Goal Line	Scott Tolzien pass complete to Garrett Graham for 23 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
Scheme. 11 Hyde blown coverage. 11 Hyde -1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 3 plays 32 yards, 01:27 Wisc TD
10:10	4	1st and 10	WIS 37	Ace Twin TE	4-3	Scott Tolzien rush for 5 yards to the Wisc 42.
It is a busted play and they still get 5 yards. 55 Decker avoids one blocker, but the second one gets him. A TE blocks 43 Gordon. 29 L. Rucker makes the tackle. 29 L. Rucker +1, 43 Gordon -1
9:33	4	2nd and 5	WIS 42	Offset I 3WR	4-3	John Clay rush for 16 yards to the MchSt 42 for a 1ST down.
2LBs blitz which gets picked up. 10 Norman gets blocked by a TE which springs the HB for the big gain. 10 Norman is listed as the starter but I think this is the first time I have seen him today. 40 Jenrette misses a tackle. 10 Norman -1, 40 Jenrette -1
9:10	4	1st and 10	MSU 42	Offset I Weak	4-3	John Clay rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 40.
53 Jones avoids a block and makes the tackle. 43 Gordon gets blocked. 53 Jones +1, 43 Gordon -1
8:30	4	2nd and 8	MSU 40	Ace 3WR	4-3	John Clay rush for 7 yards to the MchSt 33.
53 Jones trips. 43 Gordon gets blocked. 10 Norman gets off his block but the play is over before he can do anything. 37 Weaver makes the tackle. 43 Gordon -1
7:51	4	3rd and 1	MSU 33	I Twin TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 4 yards to the MchSt 29 for a 1ST down.
43 Gordon gets blocked. 53 Jones avoids enough of a block to make the tackle. 53 Jones +1, 43 Gordon -1
7:17	4	1st and 10	MSU 29	I Twin TE	4-3 Under	Zach Brown rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 27.
MSU is in something other than a 4-3 Stack. Could it be a blitz? 33 Fortener also moves up to the LOS to blitz with 10 Norman. 70 Wilson gets off his blockers and makes the tackle. This is just another shitty blitz. 70 Wilson +1
6:40	4	2nd and 8	MSU 27	Ace Twin TE	4-3	Scott Tolzien rush for no gain to the MchSt 27.
This is another busted play for Wisconsin. 36 Misch makes the tackle for no gain. Misch +1
5:55	4	3rd and 8	MSU 27	Shotgun 3WR H Back	Nickel	Scott Tolzien pass complete to David Gilreath for 7 yards to the MchSt 20.
MSU has 3 downlineman. Think it could be a blitz? This scheme sucks. 38 KDC has blown coverage but makes the tackle. 38 KDC +1 -1
5:28	4	4th and 2	MSU 20	Offset I Weak H Back	4-3 Under
I have not watched the play yet. The defense is in a 4-3 Under. Is it a blitz? Why yes it is!!!! Wow, I was really worried there MSU would advertise what the defense was going to do. 53 Jones makes the TFL. 53 Jones +1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 9 plays 43 yards, 04:47 Wisc DOWNS
3:54	4	1st and 10	WIS 20	I Twin TE	4-3	John Clay rush for 1 yard to the Wisc 21.
I think MSU has switched to playing younger guys. 48 Stevens fought off of his block and made the tackle. 48 Stevens +1
3:20	4	2nd and 9	WIS 20	Offset I Weak	4-3	John Clay rush for 6 yards to the Wisc 27.
91 Hoover looses outside contain. 36 Misch gets blocked inside. 39 Robinson makes the tackle. 39 Robinson +1, 91 Hoover -1, 36 Misch -1
3:07	4	3rd and 3	WIS 21	I 2TE	4-3	Scott Tolzien rush for 1 yard to the Wisc 28.
91 Hoover gets faked out by the QB. 96 Pickelman makes the tackle for no gain. 96 Pickelman +1, 91 Hoover -1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 3 plays 8 yards, 01:07 Wisc PUNT
2:07	4	N/A	MSU 30	Onside Recovery	Onside Kick	Brett Swenson on-side kick recovered by WISCONSIN at the MchSt 41.
And CMU made it look so easy.
2:07	4	1st and 10	MSU 41	I Double TE	4-3	Zach Brown rush for a loss of 4 yards to the MchSt 45.
MSU blitzes. 33 Fortener is untouched into the backfield to get a TFL. 33 Fortener +1
1:28	4	2nd and 14	MSU 45	Ace 3WR	4-3	John Clay rush for 5 yards to the MchSt 40.
A safety came up to make a tackle. The LBs are all blocked. 40 Jenrette +1, 36 Misch -1, 55 Decker -1, 48 Stevens -1
1:19	4	3rd and 9	MSU 40	Ace 3WR	4-3	John Clay rush for 2 yards to the MchSt 38.
55 Decker avoids blockers to make a tackle. 48 Stevens and 36 Misch get blocked. 48 Stevens -1, 36 Misch -1
DRIVE TOTALS: Wisc drive: 3 plays -2 yards, 01:28 Wisc PUNT
0:15	4	N/A	MSU 30	Onside Recovery	Onside Kick	Brett Swenson kickoff for 39 yards returned by David Gilreath for no gain to the Wisc 31.
I think MSU should have tried a slow roller up the middle. Oh well. Finally the end of the game.

Video High and Low Lights

Points Totals

Defensive Line

Player	Plus	Minus	Total
70 Wilson	4	2	2
99 Worthy	9	3	6
58 Anderson	3	4	-1
89 Neely	3	9	-6
57 Strayhorn	2	1	1
54 Rolf	0	4	-4
96 Pickelman	2	3	-1
91 Hoover	0	2	-2
Totals	23	28	-5

I am not sure the defensive line is actually that bad. They are obviously not good, but I think the scoring system is skewed negative. It is also hard to get pressure when you only have three defensive lineman on the field for passing downs. 99 Worthy did have a good game. The line was not terrible as the Wisconsin backs averaged less than 4 ypc, which is a good showing by the defense.

Linebackers

Player	Plus	Minus	Total
43 Gordon	1	20	-19
53 Jones	10	6	4
34 Denson	2	3	-1
36 Misch	7	18	-11
55 Decker	2	2	0
48 Stevens	2	3	-1
10 Norman	0	1	-1
Totals	24	53	-29

Do not jump off a cliff yet. I repeat, wait to jump off that cliff. Two things. First, the scoring system is inconsistent. I gave points to Misch and Decker that I did not give to Jones, so the numbers are too positive. Second, the scoring system I setup is pretty much guaranteed to have LBs be in the negative. Everytime a LB gets blocked, I scored that as a negative. Gordon and Misch got blocked a lot. This could be intentional. They eat up the blockers and Jones is then able to make a play. It would be really stupid for it to be intentional though. Misch did have a play where he avoided a blocker and made a tackle which leads me to believe they are not trying to engage blockers. Misch looks like he needs more experience and practice at avoiding blockers. As for Gordon....

It took me a long to to identify the problem with Gordon. Gordon is a decent player. He reads the plays and reacts correctly to attack the play. Gordon's problem is that he has tunnel vision. Once he locks on to a ball carrier he does not see anything else. The anything else is normally a pulling guard, FB or TE that is getting ready to block him. So, Gordon runs full speed into blockers. Gordon needs to put his head on a swivel and watch for the blockers. If he sees the blocks coming he should be able to shuck the blocks more and be a better player. I believe that small change would greatly improve MSU's defense even with the horrific scheme they are currently using. Not to mention Gordon's negatives would rapidly decrease if he avoided blockers on plays.

Some of the negatives for the LBs are because of the scheme. It is like the ND game where LBs are required to cover WRs. 43 Gordon tries, but he does not have the speed to cover anyone in the flat. And that is normally his coverage when the team is in zone. He also does not have the speed necessary to stay with a HB coming out of the backfield, which CMU used for a TD late in the game. So, if MSU would adjust and not play 3 LBs against 4 and 5WR sets, the LBs performance would improve.

Secondary

Player	Plus	Minus	Total
37 Weaver	4	3	1
38 KDC	5	6	-1
39 Robinson	9	2	7
9 Ware	5	3	2
40 Jenrette	9	2	7
29 L. Rucker	9	2	7
11 Hyde	6	1	5
33 Fortener	3	1	2
Totals	50	20	30

Obviously we have the greatest secondary to ever play the game. At this point you are either thinking we did not watch the same game or I smoked a pile of crack before watching the game. How does a defense that gave up 4 TD passes get a high score? Again, this is the scoring system that I setup. LBs do not get a plus for making a tackle, the secondary does get a plus for each tackle. So, they earn a lot of points quickly from run support. I also did not fault the secondary for a few of the TD passes. The defensive play calling down by the endzone was atrocious and that is not the fault of the secondary. If the play is called for a soft zone, and the secondary is in a soft zone, why is it their fault the offense took advantage of that zone? So there was several plays where the secondary just gets a pass and I blame the Defensive Coordinator.

Blaiming the Scheme

In this write up I put the blame for the defense on the scheme early and often. This is simply a bad defensive scheme and there is no excuse for continuing in this fashion. Michigan State had exactly zero plays with anything other than 3 LBs on the field. MSU defensively is either in a 4-3 Stack with the LBs 5 yards off the LOS, or they are blitzing. If I can pick it up that easy, so can everyone else. It is like playing stud poker while everyone else is playing draw. When you have 4 cards showing, it is really hard to bluff someone who has no cards showing.

MSU will go to a nickel coverage. Which I blasted in the write up. I can not comprehend the point of the coverage. MSU takes out a defensive tackle and adds a defensive back. Then sends a linebacker on a blitz. So we take out 294 pound 70 Wilson and send 228 pound 43 Gordon on a blitz. The O-line then has to deal with a player that weighs 60 pounds less. Obviously, it is a lot easier to block a lighter guy. On one of these nickel packages MSU sent a LB and CB on a blitz and dropped the NT and DE into coverage. As strange as this may sound, a DE, LB and CB are not going to get as much pressure onto a QB as 2 DEs and 2 DTs. And of course the blitz did not work at all. That is why I blast the MSU blitz packages.

MSU rotates DBs very often. KDC was the starter this week but Chris L. Rucker had a lot of playing time. So MSU trusts both to play in the game.

This is a FanPost, written by a member of the TOC community. It does not represent the official positions of The Only Colors, Inc.--largely because we have no official positions.

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Comments

Linebacker play

The 4-3 stack is killing me. What’s worse, frequently the LBs are inside the tackles and within arm’s reach of each other. That gives them almost no chance to get out and contain outside runs and/or passes to the flat. I assume this is intended to be some sort of gap control scheme (like you say, they run the blitzing LBs into the line to clog the gaps), but it ends up taking the LBs out of the play. LBs are playing run first then trying frantically to catch up with the receiver who has caught the pass.

It seems to me that our starting LBs outside of Jones are pretty slow. Jones is awesome, but he’s only one guy. Gordon is a run-stopping type, but he’s not very good at that. I think that’s why we are seeing more of Jon Misch, trying to get some more speed which equals more flexibility. Denson…jury’s still out on Denson IMO.

I disagree about the nickel coverage. Wisconsin was very successful going to a 3-3-5 but rushing a quick LB off the edge in the second half. He was able to speedrush around D.J. Young and get consistent pressure. Yes, it’s easier to block a lighter guy, but you have to catch him first. Jones is best suited to be the rushing LB because of his strength and speed.

I would love to see MSU try a 3-4 set with Jones rushing off the edge, Gordon in the middle, with Misch and another versatile LB (Denson, I guess) on the outsides. MSU is not getting any pressure with the four DEs/DTs, so why not try someting else?

by CPT Hoolie on Sep 30, 2009 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah but

MSU has a really bad Nickel package. I do not believe it is a real 3-3-5. I think in a 3-3-5 there are 3 safeties and 2 DBs. MSU played it with 3DBs. So I think it was a weird hybrid between a 4-3 and 3-4. The had the 3-4 alignment of the d-line and the 4-3 alignment of the LBs.

The problem with MSU blitzing out of this set was that the blitz was always up the middle. Either Misch or Gordon would have a go at a Guard. Which is why I think it is stupid to take out a DT and then send a LB in his place.

I have yet to see MSU put together an effective blitz off the edge. I think a lot of that has to do with the 4-3 Stack being the only alignment of the defense. Anything varying from that is an obvious blitz.

by DrDetroit on Sep 30, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Scheme and Personnel

Narduzzi seems to be tinkering with personnel, trying to find the right players to fit to the system. I really think the problem is fitting the system to the players.

The soft zone has to go; MSU is being hacked to death 8-10 yards at a time. But without the D-line generating any pressure, the DBs can’t play tight man and sustain coverage very long.

Is one a prerequisite for the other? Is pressure a prerequisite for coverage? Or is coverage a prerequisite for pressure?

Is it a matter of philosophy, and MSU is using the wrong philosophy (“pressure begets coverage”) to suit the current personnel (that would be better able to play “coverage begets pressure”)?

by CPT Hoolie on Sep 30, 2009 11:17 AM CDT reply actions

Coverage and Pressure

The correct answer is both. In 2006 when Michigan went into Ohio State #2 in the country, they actually had a crappy secondary. No one knew because the d-line was just a wrecking crew. The OSU o-line controlled the d-line and all of the problems of Michigan’s secondary were exposed. So, you can have one with out the other, but eventually it will catch up to you.

Even if MSU had a huge d-line that was always getting to a QB, playing a soft zone would just mean MSU would get screened to death, or quick slants, or throws into the flat. Everything would be a 3 step drop to get the ball out as fast as possible. You have to put some pressure on the WRs at the line.

And if you go to a tight man coverage, you can blitz since the DBs are in man. Send Jones all the time along with the 4 d-lineman and now you will probably get consistent pressure on the QBs.

Or even move the safeties up or roll them out to be on the WRs. Something. Anything. The defense as is is not working.

You are right though. The best coaches adjust a system to fit the players. Bad coaches do not adjust the system.

by DrDetroit on Sep 30, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Stops

Initially I got very excited that the defense made 3 stops in a row at the end. Then when I watched it again I realized Wisconsin wasn’t really trying to score again; they could have if they wanted to, but really they were trying to run out the clock and not run up the score.

Not very reassuring for the rest of the season.

by CPT Hoolie on Sep 30, 2009 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

Nice to see

the numbers bear out what I thought I saw: Worthy was the only thing we had going on the d-line last weekend. Maybe I’m actually starting to really understand this football game thing.

Light a man a fire, he'll stay warm for a day.
Light a man afire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

by Seer on Sep 30, 2009 11:41 AM CDT reply actions

Adjustments anyone?

I think with their personnel, that they would actually be well-suited to playing a Cover Two Buc as their base, with Jones responsible for the deep middle. From that posture, MSU could blitz occasionally, but like you said, the way they do it now completely telegraphs their intentions. They need to split the Will and Sam out farther on most plays, as they are getting hurt when the RB gets to the corner more than when he comes up the middle. And having Greg Jones come hurtling down the middle at odd moments would be really disconcerting for an offense. I wish Narduzzi could see how obvious his playcalling is; even watching the game, I was thinking, ‘Damn, they’re blitzing a lot, and it isn’t doing them any good.’

by heresjohnny on Sep 30, 2009 2:56 PM CDT reply actions

Per Comparoni...

….on WKAR, they played a lot more man-to-man against Wiscy than previously. Does that jibe with what you guys saw? I didn’t see the game, as I was at a wedding in Texas. Comparoni says that he doesn’t think it looked noticably better.

He also says Marcus Hyde has been a problem in coverage and thinks Rod Jenerette has been the best safety so far.

I don’t agree that the 3-3-5 is so bad. The advantage is that the offensive line doesn’t know which of the three LBs is coming and the speed advantage the LB has.

As far as the pass rush problems, what about trying Dion Sims on obvious passing downs? He’s a freak and U of M recruited him to play DE.

by witless chum on Oct 2, 2009 8:38 AM CDT reply actions

Not Sure About Man

The plays that stand out the most where when MSU was in zone and gave up TDs.

The thing with the non-3-3-5 is that the LBs are 5 yards off the LOS and the o-line knows ahead of time its a blitz. So, there is no surprise and both Guards can assist the C with the NT and while looking for the LB blitzing. Then drop off the C and pick up the LB.

It’s not like MSU put 3 LBs on the d-line and then drop two into coverage. The three start back, and then one blitzes.

by DrDetroit on Oct 2, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions