Sifting Through Auburn

I swear, I should just change the name of this blog to "Better Late Than Never". Oh well, at least I'm getting it out there before the GW game tomorrow.

-This isn't going to cut it offensively. I know, I know starting QB goes out on the first drive, I know. Even so, we only got 12 points offensive points, and that was while getting 4 turnovers (the 5th was returned for a TD so it isn't relevant). 5-18 for 41 yards passing? We need more than that, alot more. Somebody please recruit a friggin' QB. Please?

-Which leads us to who should start until Henig gets back? Based on Saturday I say Riddell. It isn't really based on the fact that he played all that well, because he didn't. He just seems much more poised and relaxed compared to Caroll.

-This is the best OL MSU has had in at least 5 years, maybe longer. It isn't even close. I called out J.D Hamilton before for his pass blocking. I stick by that, but he is much better at blocking for the run. The runs to the right, behind Hamilton and Jenkins, were much more effective than when they ran over the left side. Strangely enough, as good as Mike Brown is at pass blocking, he looked pretty ineffective run blocking.

-There were 5 total completions. From this you should be able to guess that I don't know what to say about the WRs. They can block I guess.

-It was nice to see a 2nd RB emerge in Ducre. He doesn't really give us a 1-2 punch with Dixon, its more like a 1-1 punch. Is there such a thing? Well my point is, they do much of the same thing. Ducre is a power, run-you-over back same as Dixon. He ran over 3 different Auburn players. You know, just for the record. He also did this.

-Anthony Dixon is 240 and he was still getting the corner on more than a couple of runs. How is that even possible? He isn't exactly a threat to go 80 yds at any moment, but that is still some pretty good speed. Especially for his size.

-The DTs didn't too much. They weren't getting blown off the ball, but they rarely got penetration and were able to shed blocks only sporadically. They weren't a liability, but I could see where they could be in the future.

-I'm really starting to like our DBs. Anthony Johnson seemed to be everywhere. He was making interceptions, tipping balls, stuffing short passes, etc. It seemed like he was around the ball at least 75% of the time. I really like what I'm seeing from him. Glanton is darn good against the run and can really lay a lick. It also looks like the move to FS was a good one for Pegues. He made a number of plays on the ball and looks to fit better there. His tackling was iffy on a couple of occasions but the FS doesn't need to be the best tackler on the team. I have for your viewing pleasure:



AND



-Welcome back Demario Bobo. After taking a medical redshirt last year and sitting the first two games with mono, he finally made his return to the field Saturday. He also came up with the interception which led to the game winning drive. This really improves the depth at Safety, plus that is just a sweet name.

-Wow, they play a TON of people on defense. Outside of the starters I noticed all of the following get significant playing time: Zach Smith, Keith Fitzhugh, Demario Bobo, Jamon Hughes, Tim Bailey, Jimmie Holmes, Kyle Love, and Quinton Wesley. I could be missing one or two as well. Maybe I'm just now noticing this for the first time, I don't know.

-Ellis Johnson is the man. Give the guy a raise. I believe he had 4 returning starters on defense and they're just as good as last year. Possible better, but it is too early to tell.

-Carlson actually made both of his field goal attempts. YAY!!! They were 30 and 32 yards so they weren't chip shots, but I still have no confidence in him with anything over say 35 yards. I would've said over 30 before this weekend but his stock went up. While we're on the subject of kicking, Blake McAdams is really bad. He had punts of 33, 55, 30, 39, 30, and 73 yards. I don't think I need to give you an average per punt for you to see that these are some poor kicks. I will anyway. Taking out the 73 yd outlier we get a whopping 37.3 ypp. Outstanding. How is it that we are stuck with a punter, a scholarship punter at that, who barely gets it 30 yards on 3 of his 6 kicks? Just hold an open tryout to the entire student body for punter. I'd bet money you could find someone better. With all of that said, his last punt of 73 yards was instrumental in MSU pulling the upset. How often can you say that of a punt. State had been stuck deep in their own territory for several drives and that punt completely flipped the field.