MSU has managed to even their record over the last three games with wins over UM and Illinois after dropping the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin.
I hate to sound like a prophet, but the things I wrote about have come true. Cousins has definitely taken the reins at quarterback. He had a strong performance against UM and even though he did not play against Illinois (feign a snap or two to end the game) Nichol did little to wrestle the starting spot away from him.
Larry Caper is showing the talent that made him a 4-star recruit. His overall game has really improved. We’ll learn more about this young mans durability over the next six games as he will likely receive the lions share of the work running the ball. It’s too bad that Glenn Winston tore his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season as he and Caper were becoming a formidable one-two punch. The door is now open for Ray or another back to step up and handle the carries that would have gone to Winston. One thing that Caper and Winston were benefitting from was the improved play of the offensive line. The replacement will as well.
Speaking of the OL, as long as the starting five of Cironi, Foreman, Nitchman, Moss and Young can remain intact, MSU’s running game should flourish. The pass protection has been solid as well, allowing both Cousins and Nichol adequate time to stand in the pocket and find receivers.
My comment about Wiley possibly being a bigger loss than Ringer it was just my speculating on the reasons for the repeated breakdowns by the secondary over the first three games. Not to take anything away from Trent Robinson, but Dan Fortener has really solidified the secondary the last few games. There have been fewer breakdowns in coverage, and I attribute that to his veteran experience. Robinson may have more natural ability, but until he understands the mental part of the game better he will be a liability. Fortener reads formations better and is able to make the proper coverage call thus eliminating some of those breakdowns. This is one instance where the lesser physically talented player is showing that his knowledge and experience trumps raw ability.
The tightend position has continued to confirm its status as a team strength. Gantt and Linthicum have not been unseated by highly rated Dion Sims, even after Sims showed plenty of skill against Montana State. Garret Celek has returned from an undisclosed injury to drop Sims to fourth on the depth chart and pricipitating Dantonio to now try him at DE. I would appreciate seeing more involvement from this group as receivers because in their limited receiving opportunities they have shined.
The receiving corps of White, Cunningham, Martin and Dell have performed better than last year, but still have issues with hanging onto the ball, especially the last two mentioned. Of the four I am most impressed with the improvement of Cunningham. He appears to have corrected the issues he was having with drops, and his leaping catches remind me of a young Lance Alworth (okay, I’m showing my age)
Now for the bad news.
For all the talk about the improved pass rush, let’s keep it in perspective. MSU’s front four was shutout against a respectable Wisconsin OL, while they feasted on the horrendous line play of UM and Illinois. Before I crown this defensive front as being improved, I want to see how they perform against the likes of Iowa and PSU. Anderson, Wilson, Worthy and Neely will need to show that they can more than handle their won against the upper tier teams.
MIA’s: Where the heck is Tyler Hoover? Unless this he is injured, he apppears to be the last option when MSU rotates DE’s. Strayhorn, a walk-on, Rolf, a converted linebacker, are seeing more time than Hoover. Even Mike Decker gets more playing time. Before the season started I wondered about Hoover’s ability and with each passing day he seems to be drifting more into obscurity.
These next three games (NU, Iowa, Minnesota) are going to detemine if MSU will contend for the conference title or possibly end up with a 6-6 record. Having a healthy Cousins and the defense front four stepping up will greatly improve MSU’s chances of achieving a eight win or better season. I am still trying to determine the mettle of this team. Can they actually compete in big games when it is absolutely necessary, or will they be roll over and play dead like they did against OSU and PSU last year and UW this year?
QB Joe Boisture: 6-6/202
FS Dencios Allen: 5-11/205
I missed this blog, too. Good to see you back.
Brendan Moss has certainly been a find at right guard. Preseason, everyone was talking about Jared McGaha or J’Michael Deane there.
Moss has looked very good on a full pulls I’ve watched him on where he tracked down a DB and just walled him off while Caper scooted by.
Cunningham is in the running for most improved player. He really must have worked over the offseason. He’s got a huge game or two in him this year, I’ll bet.
It’s too bad about Hoover, so far. A lot of people were thinking he’d contribute last year as a true frosh. You have to love his size, versus the smaller DEs MSU will trot out there, but the results haven’t shown up on the field. But, there’ s a reason you don’t want to be counting on redshirt freshman to contribute too much. He’s got three more years of elgibility to show what he can do.
Sims might contribute something as a third down pass rusher, but I don’t guess he’ll make much of an impact there. Too bad we weren’t able to redshirt him, with the junior and sophmore TEs we have, but the kid is a freak.
I am glad you are back. You are far more sensible than other bloggers.