OK, thanks. I don't feel so not knowing about it if it's a new rule.

I half watched the game while I was doing something else, but it seems as if the MSU offense has a lot of options. Stanton can run and throw. Teague was outstanding. The tall kid receiver (can't remember his name) made a lot of clutch catches. JLS probably shouldn't have gone for that long field goal since MSU's defense is still not great. But I give the Spartans a lot of credit. They could've folded after blowing a two-touchdown lead, but they didn't. They beat a quality team on the road, and UM lost to them at home. I gotta believe that MSU and OSU are the teams to beat in the Big 10. And Iowa, too. UM is a step below for sure, although I think UM's defense will improve, but everyone knows that Herrmann's D hasn't defended the mobile quarterbacks well.

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"I don't believe there's any problem in this country, no matter how tough it is, that Americans, when they roll up their sleeves, can't completely ignore. - George Carlin

I heard a theory on the TV today about this. Because the "D" doesn't practice against a mobile QB, it makes it harder for them to execute on gameday.

Michigan is behind in both their recruiting (on offense) and offensive scheming. Football has changed in the last 3 years, and teams are spreading the field. That is NOT something that MU does well.

Congrats Spartys... that was a fun game to watch (no nails left to bite)... After ND tied it up I thought there was no chance of winning.

Not sure I like this OT format though... it just seems hokey as hell... it's like a hockey shootout... guess I'm a traditionalist... but I do totally agree with instant replay (within a reasonable time limit)... I believe the NBA should adopt it also.... I could just see LB falling on his ass throwing out the red flag

Go Blue ... Go Green ... may the best team come out on top and kick OSU's arse (sorry Buckeye).

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http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6137/iverson2ue0.jpg

Sheed would be yelling, "Throw that flag, Pound for Pound. I never touched him. Throw it now!"

MSU is ranked #17 in the AP

They a lot of teams. Hopefully there is not a big letdown next week. In the end,at this point, I think OSU is gonna win the big ten, but you never know.

MSU's secondary IS bad (but not as bad as the Lions ).

Looking forward to the rest of the season, State may not be able to simply outscore their opponents.

The MSU secondary is short and fairly inexperienced. In considering that, my though turned to a possible remedy in passing situations.

I don't know who the last Div 1A player was to play both ways, but I thought about Matt Trannon as a possible solution in passing downs. The guy is experienced, athletic, TALL, has decent speed, and could put some fear into opposing receivers. He knows the routes so there's a good chance that he can cover them.

I think throwing him back there is worth a gamble by John L. After 487 yards by Quinn, SOMETHING has to be done to shore-up the obvious inadequacy in pass defense.

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"What you drive, drives America.
"http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/

He might be willing to do it, but it probably wouldn't matter because I doubt John L. would consider something like that. I don't know if Trannon would have much left for the offense if he was running around covering people on every defensive series. It might be like "robbing Peter to pay Paul."

It's an interesting thought, but there must be a reason it isn't common to do that sort of thing even though many teams have deficiencies in one area or another.

I didn't watch the game on television. How bad is the secondary? I know they gave up those 41 points, but I thought they were doing ok until they started playing scared when they were up 38-17 with 5 to go in the 3rd.

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"Quite simply captain, I examined the problem from all angles, and it was plainly hopeless. Logic informed me that under the circumstances, the only logical action would have to be one of desperation. Logical decision, logically arrived at." -- Spock

The secondary IS bad...way too small...ND had 3 WR's at 6'5" and all of our defenders were 6' and less (I believe 2 starters are 5'9"...we have a 6'+ DB that is injured...I forget his name). Quinn shredded us over the last 1+ qtrs forcing the OT. The secondary is the biggest problem we face, followed by the kicking game (??...State has always had great punters & place-kickers going back to my days there when we had Morten Andersen).

John L's game plan mid-3rd qtr when we were up 38-17 was to not turn it over...he had no intention of scoring more points unless they were gifted...Stanton's passing game was put on the shelf. JLS was too scared to even run the option in fear of a fumble...thus the last 4-5 possessions were 3 & outs. He decided to rely on the D to bring the game to it's conclusion. He was wrong and we went to OT and lucked-out.

As far as Trannon goes, I'm only talking about obvious passing downs...especially the 4th & longs that Weis decided to play instead of kick...which we got burned on. ND's Quinn is good...God-forbid the Lions someday draft him and F him up like all the other decent collegiate QB's that they have found a way to mangle over the years

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"What you drive, drives America.
"http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/

I think Smith is a really good coach, but it sounds like he needs to cut out his Mooch imitation (conservative play calling) and play to win. I read somewhere, very recently, that he does it in big games or on big plays (or something like that). That makes me believe he wouldn't be likely to risk putting in Trannon on a 4th down (big) play.

Of their remaining 8 games, they play 3 toughies against Purdue, OSU, and U of M. Luckily they avoid Wisconsin and Iowa. They had better be ready to put some major points on the board. They do have an excellent offense though. So maybe they lose to OSU, Purdue, and one of the 5 "easier" ones. That puts them at 8-3.

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"Quite simply captain, I examined the problem from all angles, and it was plainly hopeless. Logic informed me that under the circumstances, the only logical action would have to be one of desperation. Logical decision, logically arrived at." -- Spock