MSU switches to 4-3 for Wisconsin game
MSU switched to a 4-3 prior to the Wisconsin game presumably to get more bulk on field from more of their 4-2-5. They moved transfer DE Windmon back to OLB (what he used to to play at UNLV) mostly in an effort to get Van Sumeren off the field. Last week, they used true Fr Zion young at DE in windmon’s place. I expect this will be their base defense against us but perhaps with more folks back on the DL from injury.
Windmon said “the 4-3 is a good type of defense for MSU to play against Michigan's run game and heavy personnel with multiple TEs.”
https://twitter.com/chrissolari/status/1584942943928213504?s=20&t=A5rnVKmEhV7sTWzN5pM8KA
I think previously starting defensive ends Jeff Pietrowski and Khris Bogle did not play last week but may have healed up over the bye week (nobody knows).
As we all know DT Slade and SS Henderson are back and healthy.
October 25th, 2022 at 5:59 PM ^
JJ has put his legs on tape. It will impact the MSU game plan.
October 25th, 2022 at 4:41 PM ^
Yeah I’m not really sure if MSU’s plan is to go true 4-3 to counter Michigan’s multi-TE sets but Michigan’s response to that seems pretty straight forward. Lots of 11 personnel and motioning Corum/Edwards out of the backfield. Exploit those three linebackers in space and get them covering threats in the passing game.
three linebackers on the field to counter Michigan’s running game sounds great and all until Edward motions out wide and you have one of those linebackers in coverage.
October 25th, 2022 at 2:43 PM ^
If MSU is bulking up on the DL and LB's to stop Michigan's running game and 22 personnel, that still only puts 7 in the box. I'll take that all day long with Corum and Edwards. If/when the safeties come down to help, not even God can save their corners...
I see Wilson, CJ, and Anthony screamingly wide open all night long. I'd include Bell, but that guy is never covered so it's just gratuitous to mention it.
October 25th, 2022 at 2:49 PM ^
Not even God can save their corners...
If we get another weather event for this game, I'll remember this quote. /s
October 25th, 2022 at 8:42 PM ^
Oh, that dreaded monsoon. 63 and sunny is the current forecast for Saturday.
October 25th, 2022 at 3:44 PM ^
Just call Ronnie Bell 7-11 cuz he's always open
October 26th, 2022 at 9:50 AM ^
If I could upvote this, I would. Ronnie's got the Swag and the game to back it up. My man.
October 25th, 2022 at 2:58 PM ^
Sparty doesn't have the horses to hang for 4 quarters. At worst we'll lean on them and then the dam will burst in the second half.
October 25th, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
Shoot, if they run this like Indiana did and stack the box, they will get destroyed through the air. Here's our numbers from that game:
JJ: 304 yards passing, 3 TDs 1 INT
Bell: 11 rec, 121 yards, 11.0 YPC
Schoonmkaer: 9 rec, 67 yards, 7.4 YPC, 1 TD
Johnson: 4 rec, 58 yards, 14.5 YPC, 2 TDs
Anthony: 2 rec, 32 yards, 16.0 YPC
Henning: 1 rec, 16 yards, 16.0 YPC
Edwards: 1 rec, 10 yards, 10.0 YPC
Even rushing, Corum still got 25 carries for 124 yards for almost 5 yards a pop and a TD. We won 31-10. Go ahead, defend us like Indiana.
October 25th, 2022 at 3:25 PM ^
42-10
October 25th, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
I'm sure MSU will try to mess with UM via formations and additional personnel but there's a big difference between UM and Wisconsin in terms of running game and (more importantly) the passing game. Wisconsin hasn't been "Wisconsin" for a couple of years, and so the fact MSU sorta slowed them down on the ground isn't this massive bar to hurdle. Wisconsin ran for functionally the same number of yards against MSU as they did against Washington State, the difference was Mertz didn't complete a couple of more passes and so they lost a close game.
Michigan isn't going to run into the line 50 times a game if they're smart and there's no reason to believe they will. And MSU's LBers are absolutely not going to be able to hold up for 4 quarters against this running attack and guys like Bell and Schoonmaker in the passing game.
I do think MSU will frustrate Michigan but that's not the same as "beat" or even "slow down significantly".
October 25th, 2022 at 3:22 PM ^
Allegedly Van Sumeren was playing so bad that Staee fans were calling him a Michigan Mole. :-D
October 25th, 2022 at 3:45 PM ^
Switching defenses and moving guys around mid year. Sounds like a team from last year that got run over in Ann Arbor.
October 25th, 2022 at 3:58 PM ^
Until a team can prove they can stop our running game, I'll assume we can run against them effectively. The PSU team that was good at stopping the run until we played them then let up 400 rushing yards against us, just held Mo Ibrahim to 3.4 YPC last week. PSU's defense may actually be legit and we are just that good. MSU is going to have to pick their poison this weekend and regardless I'm not sure they will be able to stop either part of our offense
October 25th, 2022 at 4:23 PM ^
Yeah, I'm thinking that the Joe Moore Award trophy might not need to change locations this year. This is the most badass trophy in all of sports.
October 25th, 2022 at 4:20 PM ^
Looking forward to more of this shit.
October 25th, 2022 at 4:34 PM ^
My dogs prefer the Ultra Squeaker balls.
perhaps we'll hear some squeaking from MSU this weekend. . .
October 25th, 2022 at 5:19 PM ^
Now men, you know I have full confidence in you and the coaches. Michigan is fast, one of the keys is to react fast, make your reads and execute. By the way, we'll be changing the scheme just a little bit.
October 25th, 2022 at 7:12 PM ^
Hope JJ can hit the deep ball
October 25th, 2022 at 7:36 PM ^
Folks - I just did a little fact-checking on this one and it turns out they're running 3-4:
October 25th, 2022 at 8:18 PM ^
They hopefully will be running the exotic 3-8 soon.
(That's on the way to 3-9, but that would be a penalty)
October 25th, 2022 at 8:12 PM ^
21.5 points is a lot to cover but then again MSU is very bad. MSU receivers are good? They are 53rd in passing efficiency. After being #1 in net punting (Michigan is #3) they average 80th in all other categories versus maybe 6th or 10th for Michigan. They are adjusted to about 40th (53rd) in fancy stats to about 10 (6) for Michigan. Wisconsin has an average pass D efficiency (55) while MIchigan's is #3.
MSU could hang around for a while on a couple of special plays but most likely the only thing keeping Michigan from covering the spread is a desire to substitute heavily and protect the starters.
Reminder - the spread is 21 not 10 or 3.
October 25th, 2022 at 8:14 PM ^
I just don’t see Sparty hanging for 60 minutes in this game.
October 25th, 2022 at 10:27 PM ^
I know we did a good job against a very good defense (Iowa). I know we did a good job vs Penn state (all around). Msu is scary because they are msu and weird shit happens. But other than being worried to be worried because of the past. (Bad mojo or bpone) I like our chances. It’s not all on JJ, it is on everyone. Why are we worried about a crappy defense now.
Man I hate green uniforms.
October 25th, 2022 at 10:30 PM ^
Would love to see this be JJ's breakout game
October 26th, 2022 at 8:22 AM ^
- Tackle well in the open field.
- Contain Thorne when he scrambles.
- Don’t get baited into unsportsmanlike penalties.
- No turnovers.
- Maul them on the interior.
- Receivers get separation and don’t drop the DAMN ball.
= Victory
October 26th, 2022 at 9:09 AM ^
I hope JJ's is able to bust one like Clifford did on us... would love to see him rip off a 50+ yard TD run. I'm going to bet no one runs him down from behind.
October 26th, 2022 at 10:14 AM ^
Changing your defensive scheme mid-season sounds like a desperation move. I can't possibly see how this could backfire on them..
October 26th, 2022 at 11:52 PM ^
Windmon is their KW9 type this year. He busts out all sort of tackles for loss, sacks, and creates fumbles. Our QB and RB better have 2 hands on the ball at all time.
MSU is going to bust out the Rocky Lombardi playbook. Pass 15 times to Reed pass 11 times to Coleman. Send Windmon in as attack dog while stacking 8 in the box. And see if McC can complete 1 damn pass that Rocky did all day against UM in 20.
October 27th, 2022 at 8:57 PM ^
Windmom is a NFL player and their version of Walker this year. He creates TFL and turnovers galore. Double team him. And focus on Slade. The rest of their defense is trash.