- Echo the thoughts of many about the way the defense played...just tremendous overall.
- Frey and Reschke took big steps forward IMO. I thought Reschke was solid last week but was surprised that Frey was so quiet...no big plays, which is really what I thought he'd bring to the table, sort of a Denicos Allen-Lite. Today, Reshcke was even better than against Western and Frey stepped up with some LOUD contributions. LB future is bright with those two guys, as they're only going to get better from here.
- I thought Riley was better. Not as many TFLs as against Western but man, I thought he was solid. Don't recall many/any blown tackles, angles seemed to be consistent, etc.
- Feels to me like our top 4 DBs have a chance to be very good. They were solid in coverage...few big plays in the pass game...and obviously showed playmaking ability as well. The issue is depth...second week in a row that I think our second string corners were less than spectacular. We probably get by just fine from here until Columbus but in that one, you know we're going to need more than those top 4. Maybe Hicks can come along between now and then...I just don't have confidence in AC and JE.
- DLine is a sight to behold. Malik McDowell is borderline illegal, that's how impressive he is physically. That's a guy you could put into the NFL now from that perspective. He's been the standout these first two weeks IMO but man, so many guys made plays. Joel Heath is having a hell of a senior year so far. LT made some big plays. Shallique was a presence. Craig Evans made some plays! Sweat and Coop did some things on the edge. Knox helped out inside. I've never seen anything like this at MSU and man, is it a blast.
- Offense still feels like it's going through those early season boom/bust periods. Connor wasn't perfect but he was hitting on a lot of big 3rd and 4th down plays and limited to just the one mistake. I thought he gave MSU what they needed...didn't dominate the game but did his job. We've got a great running back combo which is only going to get better as this year rolls along. Don't look now, but Burr has two straight 100 yd receiving games. Those talking about MSU not having/needing a go-to receiver might need to retire that stuff, because that's exactly the start Lipp got off to last year and it just kept rolling. Can Aaron do the same? I think he can.
- Punting is going to be a big strength in terms of ability to flip the field, provided we can solve whatever the problem is in coverage. Still likely need refinement in those inside the 20 drops but I'll take the big leg and run with it.
- Last thing...second straight week MSU played a remarkablly clean game in terms of penalties. Considering the hold on RJ was ridiculous as was the hands to the face on Malik, there's a good argument that MSU shouldn't have been penalized even once in this game. Pretty impressive this early in the year to play that way, and in a game like this where you're really being tested to boot.
- Frey and Reschke took big steps forward IMO. I thought Reschke was solid last week but was surprised that Frey was so quiet...no big plays, which is really what I thought he'd bring to the table, sort of a Denicos Allen-Lite. Today, Reshcke was even better than against Western and Frey stepped up with some LOUD contributions. LB future is bright with those two guys, as they're only going to get better from here.
- I thought Riley was better. Not as many TFLs as against Western but man, I thought he was solid. Don't recall many/any blown tackles, angles seemed to be consistent, etc.
- Feels to me like our top 4 DBs have a chance to be very good. They were solid in coverage...few big plays in the pass game...and obviously showed playmaking ability as well. The issue is depth...second week in a row that I think our second string corners were less than spectacular. We probably get by just fine from here until Columbus but in that one, you know we're going to need more than those top 4. Maybe Hicks can come along between now and then...I just don't have confidence in AC and JE.
- DLine is a sight to behold. Malik McDowell is borderline illegal, that's how impressive he is physically. That's a guy you could put into the NFL now from that perspective. He's been the standout these first two weeks IMO but man, so many guys made plays. Joel Heath is having a hell of a senior year so far. LT made some big plays. Shallique was a presence. Craig Evans made some plays! Sweat and Coop did some things on the edge. Knox helped out inside. I've never seen anything like this at MSU and man, is it a blast.
- Offense still feels like it's going through those early season boom/bust periods. Connor wasn't perfect but he was hitting on a lot of big 3rd and 4th down plays and limited to just the one mistake. I thought he gave MSU what they needed...didn't dominate the game but did his job. We've got a great running back combo which is only going to get better as this year rolls along. Don't look now, but Burr has two straight 100 yd receiving games. Those talking about MSU not having/needing a go-to receiver might need to retire that stuff, because that's exactly the start Lipp got off to last year and it just kept rolling. Can Aaron do the same? I think he can.
- Punting is going to be a big strength in terms of ability to flip the field, provided we can solve whatever the problem is in coverage. Still likely need refinement in those inside the 20 drops but I'll take the big leg and run with it.
- Last thing...second straight week MSU played a remarkablly clean game in terms of penalties. Considering the hold on RJ was ridiculous as was the hands to the face on Malik, there's a good argument that MSU shouldn't have been penalized even once in this game. Pretty impressive this early in the year to play that way, and in a game like this where you're really being tested to boot.
