MSU WK 1 Report Card

[Deltamud77]

Note: Strictly based on my observations (as stupid as they may be)

Offense:

Obviously, the offense was pretty bad last night. The O-line looked decent at times and horrible at times, especially in short yardage situations. Tough break for Henig, although he looked horrible before the injury. He does not set his feet, maybe he couldn't because of pressure. Rutland may be the future, but the future is not now. He will be solid in five to six weeks. The one bright spot was Dixon, who was very impressive. He will be a star in the SEC.

Grade: D

Defense:

The defense looked really good IMO. Culberson is a man and should receive some All-SEC nods at the end of the year. All in all, I thought ever facit of the defense looked good and will keep them in games. I am not too sure whether they shut down a good offense last night, or whether the offense simply struggled because they are not that good and it is the first game. Probably some of both, but all in all the defense was solid.

Grade: A-

Special Teams:

If State makes the field goal after the Culberson INT, the momentum changes. I couldn't help but think, well this is the same ol' State team after that miss and I can't help but believe that many others felt the same way, including players. As I recall the punting was pretty good. State's one KO was a touchback.

Grade: C-

Total Grade: C

[Bama Duck]

That seems a little much, looked like two bad teams to me, I would give them both a D.

[rebelduckaholic]

SC only had 1 returning Definsive starter. They also had several players suspended for the game.

[bigwater]

defense gets an A
special teams gets an f
offensive get a I... for incomplete..

overall despite the solid performance from the d..


FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

[Deltamud77]

I give them a grade of C more because of the Defense and Dixon -- benefit of the doubt grade I guess. The offense was otherwise an F.

In actuality, the offense top to bottom, was the worst I have ever seen in the SEC. It was even worse than Ole Miss at the end of last year, IMO. Henig, is not an SEC caliber QB, far from it. The back up was a fullback last year if I am not mistaken (on the scout team).

State may be lucky to win three games this year. I am sad to say that Croom may simply be in over his head. I hate to say that because I have a lot of respect for the guy as a man (at least from what I know of him).

[bigwater]

i don't know if this is going to happen but i could see this taking place..

how many of you guys are familiar with jackson state univ...

there previous coach who they fired near the end of the season last year was named james bell... when he came to jsu he stated to the media that he was going to run the ball and grind it out and try to outman teams.. despite the fact that he had a senior quaterback who was the school's all time leading passer (robert kent).. this was bells mindset and the way things were going to be done.. becasue he's the coach...

fast forward to when croom took over.. he came in and said we're going to run the west coast offense becasue i know this offense and i know it works..

so here we are stuck running this west coast offense that in all honesty we don't have the personal to run..

maybe coach croom should have showed more flexibilbity in his offensive philosphy.. and one more thing.. our off. cord. woody was employed by tenn. before he came to state.. whats are his qualifactions for being a west coast guru??

[rjohnson]

They should get away from the West Coast crap immediately. No personnel for it. Just pass from the shotgun and run it outside. Naked and regular bootlegs are a must for us as well. Dixon did look good. Overall still a grade D- simply because they only scored one TD.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Folks, remember that this is just one game, not the entire season. Next week at Auburn will be even tougher, but after that game, MSU may have good chance to rebound and gain some confidence on offense.

I recall one season not too long ago that Arkansas started out looking like warmed over dog schit on national tv against some lowly opponent and got beat. The Hogs went on that year to a pretty good season and bowl game. I also recall a UM season that started out with an ugly win over Memphis 3-0 --the Rebs went on to a bowl season that year.

IF, the poor offense continues to be a trend and persists throughout the season, then Croom may need to scrap the "WC offense", hire a new OC who can bring some energy and simplicity to the offensive scheme, and let that offensive guy do his job, with Croom becoming more of an overall administrator/head coach. ( I think Orgeron will need to do the same in the next year or two with UM's defense ---not start over with a new scheme, but turn over the control to a DC).

While the game was ugly, most defensive battles are. Good D will keep MSU in a lot of games this season. Some playmakers need to step up, learn to score, and gain confidence. Having a great offensive player like Norwood, Eli Manning, etc ---players who make the other players around them look better than they are ---- is a great thing, but when they leave, it immediately creates a void that must be filled by someone. Sometimes, it takes a while for that "someone" to step up. Hopefully for MSU, that happends sooner than later.