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| Go Green, Go White....... |
How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?
They have 23...which is on the young side. They have 6 true FR on the two deep and 14 on the depth chart as a whole.
Who were their statistical leaders?
They return no players who were top-20 in any national category.
What was their turnover ratio?
They were -5 last year.
They have projected Brian Lewerke as the starter, so both teams will have a SO QB. He had a QB rating of 118, which isn't great. Played in 4 games, made 2 starts. Complete 54%, 381 yards on 31 completions, so pretty low risk passes. He was injured in the UM game last year and missed the rest of the season after starting the two games after that. They are talking him up big time and you'd expect him to take a step forward just like you'd expect our SO to.
What was their scoring and yards per play?
They scored 24 PPG which was 12th in the Big 10. They 5.7 yards per play, which was 70th in the nation.
Can they run the ball?
This is traditionally their calling card, but they struggled to run last year, getting only 4.4 yards per carry. They return the backs who got the most carries for them last year, LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes. Scott had 5.4 yards per carry and Holmes 4.7. You can certainly expect them to establish the run.
Do they pass the ball?
As noted, they struggled with Lewerke in the game, but I would think they would be looking for improvement this year from him. However, they graduated their #1, #3 and #4 receivers from last year and the #2 was dismissed from the program. Their top returning receiver had 12 catches. Phil Steele ranks them #11 in the Big Ten for WRs.
How was their run/pass balance?
They ran the ball on 55% of their plays last year. Could be higher this year.
Did they convert on 3rd Down?
They converted 39%, which is below average.
Did they score in the red zone?
They were pretty average at 4.7 points per red zone trip.
Did they protect the quarterback?
They were very good here last year, with sacks on only 2.9% of their attempts. They return only 2 lineman from last year.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
This was also not the hard-hitting defense you are used to seeing from MSU. They allowed 28 PPG and gave up 5.5 yards per play. They return only 4 starters from that defense and Phil Steele projects each of their units to be in the bottom half of the Big Ten.
Did they defend the run effectively?
They lost a lot from a defensive line last year that allowed 4.1 yards per rush. Steele notes that they are starting former walk on s at both DE positions and should take a step back. So...Falcons....if running is your identity...here's your opportunity. The MSU Dline is ranked by Phil as #11 in their conference and the LBs #.
Can they be passed on?
This is where they really struggled last year. They were #12 in passing efficiency defense. They return only one starter from that unit and Phil Steele ranks them #11 in the Big 10.
Did they get off the field on 3rd down?
Last year they were 12th here. Could be again.
Do they defend in the red zone?
They were not good last year at 5.4 points per trip.
Did they pressure the QB?
They had really good sacks at 7.5% per passing attempt. Even with their depleted line, BG needs to step up here.
Special Teams:
Punting?
They should be good. They were 3rd in net punting last year, and the punter is back.
Punt Return?
This will be a mystery, with new players in the role.
Placekicking?
Michael Geiger graduated. They have the dreaded OR at PK. Never worked out for BG.
Kickoff?
The KO specialist also graduated, so that's tough to gauge.
Kickoff Return?
Darrell Stewart is doing their returns and he's pretty good at over 20 yards per return.
First, this isn't like opening with OSU. Yes, Big Ten, on the road, but this isn't that team. BG has also played well in the past in East Lansing. Now, I've already written a lot on what to expect out of BG and MSU has to be itching to break that 7 game losing streak. Both teams offer young QBs. BG would need to catch some breaks but it isn't out of the realm of possibility this could be competitive. MSU is a 17 point favorite. The last time BG was up there, the first half was fun and then MSU just went to a 22-personnel group and ran right over the Falcons, something they could possibly do again.
They scored 24 PPG which was 12th in the Big 10. They 5.7 yards per play, which was 70th in the nation.
Can they run the ball?
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| Nope. Way off. |
This is traditionally their calling card, but they struggled to run last year, getting only 4.4 yards per carry. They return the backs who got the most carries for them last year, LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes. Scott had 5.4 yards per carry and Holmes 4.7. You can certainly expect them to establish the run.
Do they pass the ball?
As noted, they struggled with Lewerke in the game, but I would think they would be looking for improvement this year from him. However, they graduated their #1, #3 and #4 receivers from last year and the #2 was dismissed from the program. Their top returning receiver had 12 catches. Phil Steele ranks them #11 in the Big Ten for WRs.
How was their run/pass balance?
They ran the ball on 55% of their plays last year. Could be higher this year.
Did they convert on 3rd Down?
They converted 39%, which is below average.
Did they score in the red zone?
They were pretty average at 4.7 points per red zone trip.
They were very good here last year, with sacks on only 2.9% of their attempts. They return only 2 lineman from last year.
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| No words |
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
They lost a lot from a defensive line last year that allowed 4.1 yards per rush. Steele notes that they are starting former walk on s at both DE positions and should take a step back. So...Falcons....if running is your identity...here's your opportunity. The MSU Dline is ranked by Phil as #11 in their conference and the LBs #.
Can they be passed on?
This is where they really struggled last year. They were #12 in passing efficiency defense. They return only one starter from that unit and Phil Steele ranks them #11 in the Big 10.
Do they defend in the red zone?
They were not good last year at 5.4 points per trip.
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| John Boy did not go to MSU |
Did they pressure the QB?
They had really good sacks at 7.5% per passing attempt. Even with their depleted line, BG needs to step up here.
Special Teams:
Punting?
They should be good. They were 3rd in net punting last year, and the punter is back.
This will be a mystery, with new players in the role.
Placekicking?
Michael Geiger graduated. They have the dreaded OR at PK. Never worked out for BG.
The KO specialist also graduated, so that's tough to gauge.
Kickoff Return?
Darrell Stewart is doing their returns and he's pretty good at over 20 yards per return.
Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.
First, this isn't like opening with OSU. Yes, Big Ten, on the road, but this isn't that team. BG has also played well in the past in East Lansing. Now, I've already written a lot on what to expect out of BG and MSU has to be itching to break that 7 game losing streak. Both teams offer young QBs. BG would need to catch some breaks but it isn't out of the realm of possibility this could be competitive. MSU is a 17 point favorite. The last time BG was up there, the first half was fun and then MSU just went to a 22-personnel group and ran right over the Falcons, something they could possibly do again.
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