From the Sports Illustrated College Football Preview Issue (which is a pretty good edition, I must say), they list their picks for the national Top 20. Michigan State is No. 7.
For each team in the Top 20, they run two or three quotes from anonymous opposing coaches. Some of the quotes seem like clichés from Captain Obvious. Other quotes are interestingly enlightening.
Ohio State is No. 1 in the SI Top 20.
The quotes from an opposing coach on Ohio State:
“They lived off their defensive line last season - they could rush four and still pressure the quarterback. That helped prevent deep throws against a susceptible secondary with average corners and stiff safeties … They aren’t that complicated on defense, where they let their playmakers be playmakers. To attack them you have to be physical up front, protect the quarterback and take chunks of yards … Joey Bosa is a headache when he flips from left to right end, especially with Darron Lee rushing from the opposite side. Lee may be the best rush linebacker in the country, and they move them around to create mismatches … It’ll be interesting how Urban Meyer handles the quarterbacks, because he wants every one to be happy. I think JT Barrett is more well-rounded … Of course when you have the offensive line they have, you don’t need a great thrower. You just need someone to hand it off.”
For each team in the Top 20, they run two or three quotes from anonymous opposing coaches. Some of the quotes seem like clichés from Captain Obvious. Other quotes are interestingly enlightening.
Ohio State is No. 1 in the SI Top 20.
The quotes from an opposing coach on Ohio State:
“They lived off their defensive line last season - they could rush four and still pressure the quarterback. That helped prevent deep throws against a susceptible secondary with average corners and stiff safeties … They aren’t that complicated on defense, where they let their playmakers be playmakers. To attack them you have to be physical up front, protect the quarterback and take chunks of yards … Joey Bosa is a headache when he flips from left to right end, especially with Darron Lee rushing from the opposite side. Lee may be the best rush linebacker in the country, and they move them around to create mismatches … It’ll be interesting how Urban Meyer handles the quarterbacks, because he wants every one to be happy. I think JT Barrett is more well-rounded … Of course when you have the offensive line they have, you don’t need a great thrower. You just need someone to hand it off.”
