Florida Atlantic game preview

Spartan Tom · 09-10-2008, 12:33 AM

I wrote up a little game preview for this week's matchup with the Owls for anyone interested in reading. I expect them to be a tougher test than Eastern.

FAU Game Preview

Spartan Tom · 09-10-2008, 08:34 AM

Bump for morning people

Owlfamily · 09-10-2008, 08:40 AM

Very nice write up.

One thing I would like to know is how do the Qb's compare?

Is yours a pure passer like rusty, or is he a dual threat?

Spartan Tom · 09-10-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owlfamily

Very nice write up.

One thing I would like to know is how do the Qb's compare?

Is yours a pure passer like rusty, or is he a dual threat?

Definitely pure passer, but he can run forward well enough if he needs to. I'm really interested to see if our D can stop your O a couple times.

RH Spartan · 09-10-2008, 08:55 AM

Nice writeup. I think they key to the game is how well we can tackle. I can invision last year's Northwestern game happening again this year.

Redwingenator · 09-10-2008, 08:55 AM

Narduzzi has to prove he can coach up the secondary and stop a pass happy offense. If he can't get the DB's to consistently stay with their men not only will this game be closer than any of us would like to see, but we could be in for a long season.

Final Countdown · 09-10-2008, 08:57 AM

i just hope their little passes (slants, screens, 5 yard corners) don't turn into big plays and that they're not able to get decent gains at will. thats how NW killed us last year. hard to get your offense on the field when the other team can complete 7 short passes in a row.

Oj · 09-10-2008, 09:04 AM

Nice job. Although you say - "On our side, Trevor Anderson and Brandon Long have been playing very well and improving every game. Justin Kershaw is also having a great senior season." We're only two games into the season. And Anderson admittedly didn't play very well against Cal.

Spartan Tom · 09-10-2008, 09:07 AM

This game is definitely a measuring stick for our secondary. Did we improve from last year? Have the recent losses of Jenrette and Davis-Clark cripple our coverage abilities? I think if we can stop this offense we will be able to take care of indiana and northwestern and have ourselves a fine season. If not we could be in some trouble.

Spartan Tom · 09-10-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oj

Nice job. Although you say - "On our side, Trevor Anderson and Brandon Long have been playing very well and improving every game. Justin Kershaw is also having a great senior season." We're only two games into the season. And Anderson admittedly didn't play very well against Cal.

True, Anderson didn't play all that well against Cal, but he did improve greatly from week one to two. How much of that improvement is because we were playing the Eagles though? Kershaw has been playing well and I don't see him regressing.

Owlfamily · 09-10-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUtom69

Definitely pure passer, but he can run forward well enough if he needs to. I'm really interested to see if our D can stop your O a couple times.

Interesting,

My other understanding is that you guys use your strong running game first and pass as a second option? I have serious doubts about our D stopping a strong running back, so your QB may not be throwing much.

Our offense will throw all over, with a few runs here and there from our RB and FB to keep you honest. Expect a LOT of 5-10 yard passes to the TE's who have great hands, good speed, and height. They'll throw those, and then try to get you to bite on that so the WR can get open down field.

Rusty is very accurate and has great arm strength. Couple that with the athelticsim of our recieving core it makes a nice combination.

I'm not expecting the W, but I think well move the ball very well. Whether we execute in the Red zone is the question as well. We drove to the Red Zone three times on Texas but walked away with 2 turnover and only 3 points. Execution will be the key to finishing our Drives.

RPMadMSU · 09-10-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owlfamily

Interesting,

My other understanding is that you guys use your strong running game first and pass as a second option? I have serious doubts about our D stopping a strong running back, so your QB may not be throwing much.

Our offense will throw all over, with a few runs here and there from our RB and FB to keep you honest. Expect a LOT of 5-10 yard passes to the TE's who have great hands, good speed, and height. They'll throw those, and then try to get you to bite on that so the WR can get open down field.

Rusty is very accurate and has great arm strength. Couple that with the athelticsim of our recieving core it makes a nice combination.

I'm not expecting the W, but I think well move the ball very well. Whether we execute in the Red zone is the question as well. We drove to the Red Zone three times on Texas but walked away with 2 turnover and only 3 points. Execution will be the key to finishing our Drives.

Luckily, one of the strengths of our LB's is that if an opponent does catch the ball in that 5-10 range, they are quick enough to swarm and limit or eliminate YAC. Otis Wiley does a good job in support of this as well. If you guys can't keep our LB's honest with a run game (Like Cal did) then those 5-10 yard passes won't be there.

SpartanRocky · 09-10-2008, 11:16 AM

While we are a run first team, don't discount our passing game. Hoyer threw for 321 yards against Cal and Mark Dell is #4 in the nation in total recieving yards thus far this season.

Our coach kept it on the ground last game to help our OL to gel, expect a game similar to last season's stat totals (198 yards on the ground, 212 through the air)

Owlfamily · 09-10-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpartanRocky

While we are a run first team, don't discount our passing game. Hoyer threw for 321 yards against Cal and Mark Dell is #4 in the nation in total recieving yards thus far this season.

Our coach kept it on the ground last game to help our OL to gel, expect a game similar to last season's stat totals (198 yards on the ground, 212 through the air)

Pretty balanced then, using us as a "warm up" for your starters to find thier rythym on both sides then.

Thats what you guys pay us for.

I just hope we give a good game. We are coming in with the attitude of lets do our best to win this year. If the game is close after the half expect the starters to stay in. IF its a blowout like Texas after the 1st half, the 2nd stringers will be in to get some "expereience" of a big game atmosphere mid 3rd quarter.

JEK · 09-10-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPMadMSU

Luckily, one of the strengths of our LB's is that if an opponent does catch the ball in that 5-10 range, they are quick enough to swarm and limit or eliminate YAC. Otis Wiley does a good job in support of this as well. If you guys can't keep our LB's honest with a run game (Like Cal did) then those 5-10 yard passes won't be there.

Exactly. I worry about our secondary vs balanced teams, but I'm more confident against a one dimensional pass-happy team...at least to the extent of getting the job done on defense well enough for the offense to take over.

Tek Jansen · 09-10-2008, 11:27 AM

I really hope MSU works on the passing game, and getting Hoyer to look around, take some more time in the pocket, get comfortable, and look at all of his options.

We know Ringer can do well, we want to see Anderson and Leggett prove themselves worthy of taking carries away from Ringer down the road.

And most importantly, we want to see the secondary and pass rush be solid.

Spartan Tom · 09-10-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owlfamily

Pretty balanced then, using us as a "warm up" for your starters to find thier rythym on both sides then.

Thats what you guys pay us for.

I just hope we give a good game. We are coming in with the attitude of lets do our best to win this year. If the game is close after the half expect the starters to stay in. IF its a blowout like Texas after the 1st half, the 2nd stringers will be in to get some "expereience" of a big game atmosphere mid 3rd quarter.

How are Owls fans feeling about their chances for another Sun Belt championship this year after that UAB game? The only other quality Sun Belt team that I know of is Troy. Is the New Orleans bowl always Sun Belt vs C-USA?

Owlfamily · 09-10-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUtom69

How are Owls fans feeling about their chances for another Sun Belt championship this year after that UAB game? The only other quality Sun Belt team that I know of is Troy. Is the New Orleans bowl always Sun Belt vs C-USA?

New Orleans Bowl is always Sunbelt #1 vs CUSA 4-5 I believe.

The Sunbelt also entered into agreements with 3 other bowls to be the fill in if another confrence cannot meet its obligations. So the possiblity is there for up to 4 Belt teams to to go bowls. (Not going to happen)

We were pretty confident of another championship, right up unitll the point our defense took the field and stunk up the joint. If the D can get its crap together we do stand a very good chance of winning the Belt. Troy will be tough as well as MTSU, they will BOTH be up for our games agaisnt them. Especially TROY since we took the Bowl out from under them last year.

Top competition in the Belt is

FAU
TROY
Middle Tennesee State University

Middle of the pack is Arkansas State U (although they have looked VERY impressive) and University Louisianna (SP?) Monore (Damn near bet Arkansas this week).

After that its ULL, North Texas and FIU with FIU being one of the worst teams in Div 1A right now.

Western Kentucky will be a full DIV1a member next year so they arent elligible for a bowl game or championshihp this year.

Still very possible but not unless the D comes together.

Devil's Abogado · 09-10-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUtom69

I wrote up a little game preview for this week's matchup with the Owls for anyone interested in reading. I expect them to be a tougher test than Eastern.

FAU Game Preview

Nice write up - a little too focused on size vs abilities, tendencies, etc., but a nice write up all the same.

Hoyer is a huge key for the game. He has to manage the game within the plan set up by the coaches - run first to set up the pass. He does need to get his pass completion percentage up - too many passes are overthrown (especially those risky almost-laterals) and he seems to miss the correct shoulder on mid-length throws to his receivers (Dell in the first half, on a throw to Gantt, and then on the great grab by Cunningham. It seems to be Hoyer's tosses, not the routes run by the receivers as it happens to all the receivers.

Should be a good game and MSU's size and advantage on defense will be the primary factors.

JEK · 09-10-2008, 12:25 PM

Even though I'm confident about the FAU game, I'm actually more concerned about FAU than I am ND. That really puts into perspective (for me, at least) the job Weis is doing at ND -- that he can bring in all these top level recruits and people are more afraid to play FAU!!

TheRedCedar · 09-10-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUtom69

Kershaw has been playing well and I don't see him regressing.

Kershaw also had a nightmarish game against Cal. Miserable, but he came back reasonably well last week against EMU.

RH Spartan · 09-10-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEK

Even though I'm confident about the FAU game, I'm actually more concerned about FAU than I am ND. That really puts into perspective (for me, at least) the job Weis is doing at ND -- that he can bring in all these top level recruits and people are more afraid to play FAU!!

I agree. We match up worse with FAU and frankly, they are better than ND. In addition, the injuries / absences in the secondary really scare me against a team that is pass happy. We could easily lose this game. I think it will come down to the last quarter.

On an aside, it was nice to see the special teams perform well last week. Similar plays on Saturday would be huge.

SmedleyButler · 09-10-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RH Spartan

Nice writeup. I think they key to the game is how well we can tackle. I can invision last year's Northwestern game happening again this year.

That would be fine, if you also envision MSU defensive backs not whiffing and giving up two undeserved long touchdowns.

werefromEL · 09-10-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owlfamily

Interesting,

My other understanding is that you guys use your strong running game first and pass as a second option? I have serious doubts about our D stopping a strong running back, so your QB may not be throwing much.

Our offense will throw all over, with a few runs here and there from our RB and FB to keep you honest. Expect a LOT of 5-10 yard passes to the TE's who have great hands, good speed, and height. They'll throw those, and then try to get you to bite on that so the WR can get open down field.

Rusty is very accurate and has great arm strength. Couple that with the athelticsim of our recieving core it makes a nice combination.

I'm not expecting the W, but I think well move the ball very well. Whether we execute in the Red zone is the question as well. We drove to the Red Zone three times on Texas but walked away with 2 turnover and only 3 points. Execution will be the key to finishing our Drives.

can you stop calling your QB by his first name please

fauowls44 · 09-10-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSUtom69

How are Owls fans feeling about their chances for another Sun Belt championship this year after that UAB game? The only other quality Sun Belt team that I know of is Troy. Is the New Orleans bowl always Sun Belt vs C-USA?

I'm pretty confident in winning the Sun Belt again. I know our D has struggled the first two games, but we have seen this before. We have given up a ton of points against OOC opponents and then have played well enough on that side of the ball to beat SBC teams. UAB moved the ball far too easily against us, but there was a couple of ST mistakes and dumb penalties that lead to 2 or 3 TD's. Take those away and the D would have looked a lot better. There is too much athletic talent on our defense to continue to struggle, especially against the Sun Belt teams. Overall, I don't think there is a Sun Belt team that can out score us, so even if the defense improves just a little, we should be OK. Troy is always tough, but we have them at home and they are missing some key players from last year. Ark State beat Texas A&M already this year, so they could be a competitor this year. In the end though, I think the D gets it's stuff together in time for conference play and we should win the conference.