MSU football needs its identity back

[TPIPER36]

I think the identity of MSU football is nasty defense, with the offense being more game management run the ball. Seems like we abandoned the concept totally when we hired Moorhead in 2017. I’m tired of trying to have flashy offensive teams at MSU. It just doesn’t work here. The way to go at msu is to have a defensive minded head coach, and let a coordinator run the O. I think we should try to counter OM with a totally different style of football. Hard nosed defensive football over flashy fast paced offensive football. In the 7 years we have been so offensive minded I’ve not really been all that impressed with any offense we have had in the last 7 years. Flashes have happened no doubt, but it’s not worth the sacrifices we made to the D. Thoughts?

 

[TPIPER36]

I want to believe in Lebby so bad, but it seems like he doesn’t give a single damn ab defense. Although I’m satisfied with aspects of the offense this season, it’s not good enough to win games. What’s the point if you can’t stop anyone other than the occasional turn over?

 

[Maroon13]

You are on the money. Recruit the biggest meanest athletes you can find, put them on defense. Make damn sure we get this QB from Noxubee and roll.

You mention OM, their defense is leading that team.

 

[cowbell88]

Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, as special teams win the big games.

 

[Doubledawgblitz]

Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, as special teams win the big games.

Disagree - winning sells tickets!
The man is right we need to get back to playing DEFENSE! Which means better coaching and recruiting/hiring the best players we can find.

 

[cowbell88]

Disagree - winning sells tickets!
The man is right we need to get back to playing DEFENSE! Which means better coaching and recruiting/hiring the best players we can find.

Yes that’s a truer statement.

 

[msugolf]

Those type of teams and players are much harder to find in todays game with all the 7 on 7 and high school teams running more spread style offenses. There’s also a bigger emphasis on less hitting in practices. I’m all for having tough defenses but you aren’t going to see many teams built like 1998-00 MState anymore. We had the number 1 ranked defense in the country in ‘18 and still only went 8-5

I know it’s a very MSU thing to always look backwards but at some point you better learn to adapt, embrace the change and move forward or just find something else to do. A combination of both mentalities would be a Mullen style offense…physical power spread.

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

You are on the money. Recruit the biggest meanest athletes you can find, put them on defense. Make damn sure we get this QB from Noxubee and roll.

You mention OM, their defense is leading that team.

Yup. Defensive dominance is greater than offensive dominance.

11 of the top 15 teams in the country in total defense are ranked in the top 25 of the CFP. 9 of those top 15 defenses are currently in the 12 team playoff with SMU, Boise State, and Arizona State being the only 3 current playoff teams without a top 15 defense.



Of the top 15 teams in total offense, only 5 are currently ranked in the CFP and only 3 would currently make the playoffs.




A great offense is nice to have. A great defense is a must have.

In case anyone was wondering we are 75th in total offense and 127th in total defense. We really suck at football and I just don't see how a decent coach could have a team that is so bad even in year one.

 

[patdog]

SMU, Boise State, and Arizona State being the only 3 current playoff teams without a top 15 defense.

I’ve got a pretty good guess who 3 of the 4 first round losers will be.

 

[ETK99]

I think the identity of MSU football is nasty defense, with the offense being more game management run the ball. Seems like we abandoned the concept totally when we hired Moorhead in 2017. I’m tired of trying to have flashy offensive teams at MSU. It just doesn’t work here. The way to go at msu is to have a defensive minded head coach, and let a coordinator run the O. I think we should try to counter OM with a totally different style of football. Hard nosed defensive football over flashy fast paced offensive football. In the 7 years we have been so offensive minded I’ve not really been all that impressed with any offense we have had in the last 7 years. Flashes have happened no doubt, but it’s not worth the sacrifices we made to the D. Thoughts?

 

[The Peeper]

I think we should try to counter OM with a totally different style of football. Hard nosed defensive football over flashy fast paced offensive football. Thoughts?

You want this team to today, all of a sudden after an entire session, play "hard nosed defensive football" ?

 

[mcdawg22]

I think the identity of MSU football is nasty defense, with the offense being more game management run the ball. Seems like we abandoned the concept totally when we hired Moorhead in 2017. I’m tired of trying to have flashy offensive teams at MSU. It just doesn’t work here. The way to go at msu is to have a defensive minded head coach, and let a coordinator run the O. I think we should try to counter OM with a totally different style of football. Hard nosed defensive football over flashy fast paced offensive football. In the 7 years we have been so offensive minded I’ve not really been all that impressed with any offense we have had in the last 7 years. Flashes have happened no doubt, but it’s not worth the sacrifices we made to the D. Thoughts?

Did someone get State’s SSN? That sucks. Have the credit bureaus been notified?

 

[L4Dawg]

You want this team to today, all of a sudden after an entire session, play "hard nosed defensive football" ?

I know not many people do this anymore , but he was talking long term there I believe.

 

[BoDawg.sixpack]

The Bengals are 4-7 and they have four offensive players who are basically having career years and it ain't on defense. Rocket science this isn't...

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Not many people understand, but Leach actually did this himself. Stout defense, and modified the Air Raid to be more ball control. It complimented the defense, and utilized the offensive players we had. And of course, Leach knew how to discipline and develop, which was good for the recruits we typically get.

Was Leach’s offense absolutely perfect for MSU? No. I’m with many of you when you say we need a running QB. But considering the advantages Leach gave you, you take that all day long. And no telling what a Chris Parson might could have done in the Air Raid. On the other hand, it might not have worked. QBs who can throw and run at an elite level are hard to come by, usually you have to choose a route to lean on.

Just another reason we should have gone with Fritz, Malzahn or Rich Rod. They were mature enough to know what to do.

 

[bulldoghair]

All you guys that’s been bitching about wanting an “exciting offense” that throws the ball and goes fast ect, this is where we’re at. Selmon Obama gave you what you wanted. Showtime baby.

 

[L4Dawg]

Not many people understand, but Leach actually did this himself. Stout defense, and modified the Air Raid to be more ball control. It complimented the defense, and utilized the offensive players we had. And of course, Leach knew how to discipline and develop, which was good for the recruits we typically get.

Was Leach’s offense absolutely perfect for MSU? No. I’m with many of you when you say we need a running QB. But considering the advantages Leach gave you, you take that all day long. And no telling what a Chris Parson might could have done in the Air Raid. On the other hand, it might not have worked. QBs who can throw and run at an elite level are hard to come by, usually you have to choose a route to lean on.

Just another reason we should have gone with Fritz, Malzahn or Rich Rod. They were mature enough to know what to do.

Leach's lack of defensive recruiting is THE reason the defense is as bad as it is right now. His recruiting offensive players to fit his niche system is why the offense struggles. Niche schemes are a disaster when there is a transition.

 

[PBRME]

The days of a strong defense and clock management with a running game are long gone. If they weren’t then Nick Saban wouldn’t have changed his offense to a balanced attack.
We need a major improvement on defense, but we can’t be one dimensional on offense and expect to win games.

 

[L4Dawg]

The days of a strong defense and clock management with a running game are long gone. If they weren’t then Nick Saban wouldn’t have changed his offense to a balanced attack.
We need a major improvement on defense, but we can’t be one dimensional on offense and expect to win games.

Nobody is calling for run only.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

We've dyed our hair purple, gotten a septum piercing, and changed our pronouns to we/suck.

 

[ckDOG]

Most modern defenses are built to defend spread out offenses. Personnel will sacrifice size for speed. I'd focus on building the best defense possible and my offense would be a boring run based offense committed to dominating between the tackles.

It'd be boring as 17 but it would eat clock and take advantage what the typical defense gives you. Recruit size and strength and run over your opponent. My thought is we'd be able to recruit to that better regionally than have to court highly-skilled skilled players over and over as they come and go through the portal.

 

[PBRME]

Nobody is calling for run only.

A primary power running game will fail.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Leach's lack of defensive recruiting is THE reason the defense is as bad as it is right now. His recruiting offensive players to fit his niche system is why the offense struggles. Niche schemes are a disaster when there is a transition.

I bet Lebby is wishing he would not have run off all of Leach’s guys now. They seem to be the only ones who can play. Here and on other teams.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Most modern defenses are built to defend spread out offenses. Personnel will sacrifice size for speed. I'd focus on building the best defense possible and my offense would be a boring run based offense committed to dominating between the tackles.

It'd be boring as 17 but it would eat clock and take advantage what the typical defense gives you. Recruit size and strength and run over your opponent. My thought is we'd be able to recruit to that better regionally than have to court highly-skilled skilled players over and over as they come and go through the portal.

Bert tried that. Didn’t work back then, but maybe it possibly could in this era of parity.

One thing so many are forgetting…..it’s still advantageous to throw the ball, due to the space and the rules nowadays.

 

[GloryDawg]

He has not learn by now you need defense to win in the SEC he is dumb *** bricks and should be released.

 

[Anon1728174187]

The reason I continue to believe hutzler is a total failure is when I played you played like you practiced. And surely hutzler saw these incorrect tackle angles in practice, surely he saw guys in practice not wanting to wrap up on tackles rather they would attempt push them down for a tackle as it appeared they were scared to get hurt. The secondary time after time was completely out of position either 10yrds off the opposing receiver or completely blown assignment. Defense line NO push and very few sacks. Com’on man!

 

[msugolf]

Most modern defenses are built to defend spread out offenses. Personnel will sacrifice size for speed. I'd focus on building the best defense possible and my offense would be a boring run based offense committed to dominating between the tackles.

It'd be boring as 17 but it would eat clock and take advantage what the typical defense gives you. Recruit size and strength and run over your opponent. My thought is we'd be able to recruit to that better regionally than have to court highly-skilled skilled players over and over as they come and go through the portal.

So you want to be Iowa basically

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

"We need to go back to the brand of football that made us a loser for decades!"

That's exactly what we need to rebuild.

 

[85Bears]

Leach's lack of defensive recruiting is THE reason the defense is as bad as it is right now. His recruiting offensive players to fit his niche system is why the offense struggles. Niche schemes are a disaster when there is a transition.

So the dumb narrative goes, meanwhile we are on our third portal class since Leach died, the last two completely empty. By all the signals being sent out, we are going to go cheap in the portal again. Good luck with that.

 

[L4Dawg]

So the dumb narrative goes, meanwhile we are on our third portal class since Leach died, the last two completely empty. By all the signals being sent out, we are going to go cheap in the portal again. Good luck with that.

The fact remains that we have no talented upper classmen on defense.