Some good lessons out there:
I watched a lot of games in chunks yesterday. It seems like the two keys to being a winning team in college football are having a QB/receivers who understand how to find spaces in the defense to get in and throw to (along with the o-line to give them time to do so) and having a defense that can pressure the QB. You don't need much more than those two things paired with not making critical mistakes. I think with Tuttle at the helm and a healthy defense we potentially have both.
Hopefully reset week has worked wonders on this team.
- Limit MSU's big play ability - MSU scored all of their TDs vs Rutgers on plays of 60+ yards. There were TD passes of 63, 63, and 65 yards to Nailor and a 94 yard run by Walker. Those two players accounted for 440 of MSU's 591 yards. Keep them honest and get the offense going and this is a very winnable game.
- Highly ranked opponents can be beaten - Texas A&M took down Alabama with two true freshmen on their o-line and a backup QB starting. Given TAMU's home field is a big advantage, but they could have just as easily said "well, it's Alabama" and lost by four scores and been forgive. OSU has looked mortal at times this year (though they seem to be gearing up now). Michigan was on the ropes at Nebraska (the same Nebraska team that lost to Illinois to start the season). Don't play the ranking or the reputation.
I watched a lot of games in chunks yesterday. It seems like the two keys to being a winning team in college football are having a QB/receivers who understand how to find spaces in the defense to get in and throw to (along with the o-line to give them time to do so) and having a defense that can pressure the QB. You don't need much more than those two things paired with not making critical mistakes. I think with Tuttle at the helm and a healthy defense we potentially have both.
Hopefully reset week has worked wonders on this team.
