MSU beat UM every which way and in all phases. And while everyone can take various things from the game, at least I am not taking too much and not going to draw huge conclusions about the teams.
MSU was fully prepared, got a gift and some luck in the first few minutes, and then stuck it to UM and never let UM back in the game. I assume this was MSU's best game of the season by far. I suppose UM's might have been the prior week against Weber.
Nevertheless, UM had some chances to get back in the game. Scored twice in 2d quarter. Could have had another one had a long pass been a bit less long or to another receiver. UM D played better in 3d quarter. O couldn't get going. MSU hit a couple early passes, including the nice early throw and catch down the left sideline. Later in the game, the qb couldn't hit a receiver. UM didn't played the first TD end around well, but had a guy in position in the backfield to disrupt the play. Important play. Cats won it.
While UM wasn't playing well, and MSU was helping to cause UM from playing well, UM was not completely out of it until they couldn't score, and stop MSU a time or two more, in the 3d quarter. Then it was over.
MSU's o-line dominated in the first half. MSU's backs were very good and deep. Many times UM couldn't finish tackles, when running backs pulled a leg out of a possible tackle. To me, that showed not good enough tackling by the Griz, and strong legs and fight of the Cats. The Cats were getting 5 or 6 yards consistently on first down.
Sneed is clearly hurting and not mobile. Early in the season, he would have avoided half of the sacks, and gained yardage. Did he even run intentionally once? Not having him healthy and not having Akem, hurts what was once a very strong offense. After UM went down, they had to throw more and didn't run much, and the Cats came after Sneed.
I always thought the Cats were good, but they were/are better than I thought, even assuming they had their best game. The running backs are very good, and deep. Impressive. Nevertheless, I assume UM could and should have been better prepared to slow the run down.
5th and 6th seeds. Pretty impressive, especially given where the teams were a few years ago.
I hope the Griz can recover and get back on track. Good thing they don't have to play this Saturday. Getting more guys healthier would help too.
What's the prognosis on TA? In looking at stats, and Sterk stats, I saw TA's name a number of times. I knew he had started really show early on, and played various positions, but he also got pretty good defensive stats along the way.
MSU was fully prepared, got a gift and some luck in the first few minutes, and then stuck it to UM and never let UM back in the game. I assume this was MSU's best game of the season by far. I suppose UM's might have been the prior week against Weber.
Nevertheless, UM had some chances to get back in the game. Scored twice in 2d quarter. Could have had another one had a long pass been a bit less long or to another receiver. UM D played better in 3d quarter. O couldn't get going. MSU hit a couple early passes, including the nice early throw and catch down the left sideline. Later in the game, the qb couldn't hit a receiver. UM didn't played the first TD end around well, but had a guy in position in the backfield to disrupt the play. Important play. Cats won it.
While UM wasn't playing well, and MSU was helping to cause UM from playing well, UM was not completely out of it until they couldn't score, and stop MSU a time or two more, in the 3d quarter. Then it was over.
MSU's o-line dominated in the first half. MSU's backs were very good and deep. Many times UM couldn't finish tackles, when running backs pulled a leg out of a possible tackle. To me, that showed not good enough tackling by the Griz, and strong legs and fight of the Cats. The Cats were getting 5 or 6 yards consistently on first down.
Sneed is clearly hurting and not mobile. Early in the season, he would have avoided half of the sacks, and gained yardage. Did he even run intentionally once? Not having him healthy and not having Akem, hurts what was once a very strong offense. After UM went down, they had to throw more and didn't run much, and the Cats came after Sneed.
I always thought the Cats were good, but they were/are better than I thought, even assuming they had their best game. The running backs are very good, and deep. Impressive. Nevertheless, I assume UM could and should have been better prepared to slow the run down.
5th and 6th seeds. Pretty impressive, especially given where the teams were a few years ago.
I hope the Griz can recover and get back on track. Good thing they don't have to play this Saturday. Getting more guys healthier would help too.
What's the prognosis on TA? In looking at stats, and Sterk stats, I saw TA's name a number of times. I knew he had started really show early on, and played various positions, but he also got pretty good defensive stats along the way.