2023 michigan state

The Sponsors

We want to thank Underground Printing for starting this and making it possible—stop by and pick up some gear, check them out at ugpmichiganapparel.com, or check out our selection of shirts on the MGoBlogStore.com. And let’s not forget our associate sponsors: Peak Wealth Management, Matt Demorest - Realtor and Lender, Human Element, Ann Arbor Elder Law, Michigan Law Grad, The Phil Klein Insurance Group, Venue by 4M, Winewood Organics, Sharon's Heating & Air Conditioning, SignalWire where we recorded this, and introducing to the podcast, Autograph: Rewarding Fans, who just launched an app where you earn rewards for things like reading MGoBlog and listening to our podcast.

Featured Musician: Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers

The Video:

[After THE JUMP: The things said.]

FORMATION NOTES: MSU was a very basic 4-3 even, as they have been forever.

Aside from pass rush exotics, this was the whole game. They would occasionally slide the line to the run strength, and they'd put a nickel on the field for passing downs. They ran a lot of the Dantonio-vintage double-A gap twist blitz from the linebackers; this was about their only gambit on the day.

SUBSTITUTION NOTES: Nothing unusual. WR/TE snaps, as per usual:

• Cornelius Johnson: 50
• Roman Wilson: 43
• Colston Loveland & AJ Barner: 37
• Tyler Morris: 35
• Semaj Morgan: 21
• Max Bredeson: 9.

Morris and Morgan both got a bunch of snaps in Tuttle time. This was a bit of deviation from recent games, where Barner was your #1 snap recipient; my assumption is that Michigan felt like MSU's LB crew was vulnerable to approximately everything when passing and leaned slightly more towards three-wide sets. Only slightly, because Harbaugh.

[After THE JUMP: a beatdown]

UFR GLOSSARY is here.

FORMATION NOTES: Bone!

Michigan's front is what I call "Split" which is not to be confused with "Split!" where the NT is on the other side of the center, or "Splits" where both DEs are well wide of the DTs. MSU also had some super-wide Walt Bell Memorial splits. If you see "Bell" in the nomenclature it means the WRs are all beyond the numbers. It signifies a team has given up all hope of offense and has hired or is ready to hire Walt Bell.

SUBSTITUTION NOTES: The usual rotation with an increase in backup cornerbacks and McBurrows in the "competitive" portion of the game, with Amorion Walker in for a good third of the game and plenty of DJ Waller. German Green was only on for the last two plays/drives. Jimmy Rolder returned from injury and was the fourth LB. Keon Sabb was limited to just 7 snaps as Rod Moore played most of the game; Zeke Berry returned for late snaps.

[After THE JUMP: Having their number isn't the same as having their signs.]