Malicious Internet Interrogation: The Only Colors
by Run Up The Score on Nov 19, 2009 12:29 PM EST
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Part one of an exchange between myself and LVS of SBNation's fine Michigan State blog, "The Only Colors". His questions, my answers. The other half of Malicious Internet Interrogation will likely be up later today or tomorrow. And don't forget this afternoon's basketball game against UNC-Wilmington. Tip-off is at 4:00 p.m., game to be broadcast on ESPNU (and presumably, ESPN360 yeah, apparently not). We'll have an open thread.
1. MSU-PSU: great rivalry or greatest rivalry?
Greatest, of course! How else could you explain two teams fighting over a pre-school arts and crafts monstrosity like the Land Grant Trophy?
2. Penn State allowed almost 300 yards passing against Indiana last Saturday; that statistic alone gives MSU fans at least some hope, as our offense is essentially pass-or-bust this year. How has PSU's pass defense been this season? Are there any clear vulnerabilities in the secondary?
Keep in mind that Indiana threw the ball 51 times and was playing from behind in the second half last week, but yes, the larger point is that teams know it's better to throw on Penn State than attempt to run. I would not be remotely surprised if MSU attempts close to 50 passes on Saturday, although I doubt they'll reach the 61 passes thrown by Brian Hoyer against PSU back in 2006 -- and that was in a 17-13 game. Penn State can be thrown on, but they do their best to protect any obvious liabilities in the secondary. Free Safety Nick Sukay has steadily improved throughout the year. Drew Astorino (#28) plays the other safety position, and it's no secret that he's trying to fight through a shoulder injury. CB A.J. Wallace sustained a concussion last week, he's listed as "possible" for Sparty. So there may be opportunities for you in the passing game.
[For the rest of our Q&A, including discussion of SPECIAL TEAMS FAIL and much more, please head over to The Only Colors.]
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You forgot to ask him if he slaps himself
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Nov 19, 2009 12:36 PM EST reply actions
HATE, HATE, HATE
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Nov 19, 2009 12:36 PM EST reply actions
I don’t like hearing that Michigan State excels on special teams — that’s a huge point that can’t be overlooked.
Really? It doesn’t bother me anymore because I expect it every week.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Nov 19, 2009 12:37 PM EST reply actions
But you don't overlook it, right?
/semantic’d
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
It can be overlooked
The coaching staff seem to have overlooked it all season long.
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
Bill Cosby
by psu on Nov 19, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
... Penn State!
When we were recruiting Terrell Pryor we always hoped he'd help us take down Ohio State... and he did!
Damn it, I changed that.
SBN was having a bit of a publishing fail earlier. I changed it to Wilmington before this was ever supposed to be posted. I’ll see if I can fix it now.
Twitter: @scrappled
"When it’s third-and-10, you can take the milk drinkers and I’ll take the whiskey drinkers every time" - Max McGee
by Run Up The Score on Nov 19, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
And, done.
Twitter: @scrappled
"When it’s third-and-10, you can take the milk drinkers and I’ll take the whiskey drinkers every time" - Max McGee
by Run Up The Score on Nov 19, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, snap, it's Mike!
Welcome back!
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
Yeah sorry
My actual paying job requires me to freeze my ass off in Denver, CO this week. I’ll be back next week.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
As long as it's Real Life
and not Farmville that keeps your rapier wit from us, I’ll be ok.
I did think of you tho this morning catching up on my business weeks. That was only my second ever hearing about this Farmville.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
And then there is this Farmville not far enough from me...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/20/va-murder-suspect-rapped-about-killing/
One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's
I read that!
I just moved to Alexandria and we nearly drove through there recently on the way to Roanoke. Where does Rah hold it down?
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
We fight the good fight in the Colonial Capital...
Williamsburg VA.
We might be meeting up with some friends (from the 717) in Alexandria the first weekend in December. I’ll let you know where we land if you want to grab a drink with.
One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's
Your wish is granted in the new thread.
Twitter: @scrappled
"When it’s third-and-10, you can take the milk drinkers and I’ll take the whiskey drinkers every time" - Max McGee
by Run Up The Score on Nov 19, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know about you
but I am of the mind that Penn State should never, EVER lose to Sparty. EVER.
I don’t want to hear about slow starts, Landsing being a tough place to play, special teams, DC17 making bad decisions. At some point, superior talent has to win out. Right? RIGHT?
JUST. BEAT. SPARTY. That is all.
I'm not sure we're all that more talented, but OK
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Nov 19, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
Punt Returns
Seriously, I know it’s been brought up, but why the hell don’t we just sell out on the block and ignore the return? We can’t get much worse, and the risks involved with attempting a return are enormous. Hell we’re fair catching the damn thing inside the 10 half the time anyway, there’s always a chance the ball rolls into the endzone.
I say sell out on the block, let the ball land where it will, and at very least we’ll avoid a turnover.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
Ha! You're right
I guess it’s better then fumbling inside our own 20 though…
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
Ugh
Fair catches inside the ten annoy me to no end. Just let the friggin thing bounce already. Does it really matter if you’re snapping from the 2 instead of the 7?
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
I disagree, actually
If you start at the 7 and get two yards, compared to starting at the 2 and getting two yards, your punter has more room to work.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Nov 19, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
Ok how about this
Snapping from the 7 is better than snapping from the two. But the difference is small enough I’m willing to roll the dice and let the punt go hoping it rolls in the endzone and I get it at the 20.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
I was only disagreeing with your last sentence
I should have made that more clear.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Nov 19, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
It drives me nuts
You know that’s a coaching thing too — they’re not being told to stand on the 10 and let the thing go if you have to take even one step back. Kids in JV leagues know to do that.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
Meh
I’ve seen more than enough NFL players call for a fair catch inside their own 10. I’m more convinced that it’s the return guys – either they’re becoming more stupid, or growing bigger egos (thinking they might be able to pull off the 93 yard return for a TD). Or both.
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
PR
It’s outrageous that they didn’t get another guy back there for any other games outside EIU. It’s obviously not even close to working so give some of the freshman a chance.
"I'm colonel cool! And I'm the captain on this rocket to the stars!"
The Drake, Justin Brown, Derrick Thomas maybe
Just try something else
"I'm colonel cool! And I'm the captain on this rocket to the stars!"
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