Michigan State Review

At various times in the game, the Spartans' strength were on display, especially in the final quarter. Part of that was Michigan State's realization that one side of the field was open season for passing and one wasn't. The other part of that was Georgia's decision to simply keep running the ball into the strength of the Spartans' defense. Give credit where it is due, the Spartans' played the game to win. Georgia played to not lose, especially in the second half.
The Good:

• Boykin. Gonna miss you playa'. 
• Murray to King. Twice. 
• Good to see King's emergence after a season of all most. Great reason to look forward to next season.
• Jarvis, Smith and Ogletree's defensive performances.
• Stopping Michigan State's inside run game.
• Butler's punting.
• Continuing to go to the well with down field passes...in the first half.

The Bad:

• Halftime adjustments. What the hell? Surely they discussed the possibility of what would happen if Murray kept getting pressured. Which he did the whole game. It looked like our half time was spent watching a Designing Women marathon, again.
• Speaking of Murray getting pressured, in what world do we have a premier offensive line? I know depth was/is an issue, but half the running game issues yesterday (and most of the season, for that matter) can be laid at the feet of the line. All of the tackles for losses and sacks, save one, are on the line. Individually, they are all good players. As a unit? Meh.
• Second half play calling. Specifically, thinking we can't possibly keep throwing down field successfully.
• Under utilizing the quick pass plays to TEs and RBs.
• Dropping into a protection scheme with under two minutes to play when State had not moved quickly  against our regular defensive scheme all day.

The Ugly:

• 3 Overtime possessions. 11 plays. -9 yards. 3 points. I get Blutarsky's point about Richt and who he is, but the safe play is to go to what is working, not what hasn't. That isn't conservative, that is stupid. I'm not laying blame at Blair's feet, either. Kid has the yips. That is just the way it is. Also, he isn't responsible for blocking the middle of the line on a place kick. 

More than any game this season, this game was lost on the side lines. Yes, we had plenty of poor plays/decisions, but if we hadn't nutted up and decided to be super safe after Michigan State made their comeback, we win. 

TD

3 Questions: Michigan State

Didn't we just play Michigan State in Florida?

1. Do we bring the 1st half team from the SEC Championship Game? Michigan State isn't some crappy B1G team. They have the fifth best defense in the nation, and a couple of very fast linemen who will give our Oline fits. They have two receivers in BJ Cunningham and Keshawn Martin that you have to keep tabs on at all times, and a QB in Kirk Cousins that is good at finding the least covered guy. They have a running back capable of pounding the middle and some how making a one yard play become a 3.5 yard play.  We can shut Michigan State down and make this a grind it out ball game. We can let them dictate the tempo and have to play catch up. 
2. Which team will approach the Outback Bowl with the proper attitude? Make no mistake about it, of the two teams playing in Tampa tomorrow, Michigan State is the one more deserving of a CapOne bowl slot...or higher. They lost early to Notre Dame, got dominated by Nebraska (which ultimately ended up in the CapOne opposite South Carolina), and lost in the B!G championship game to Wisconsin in a squeaker. They also beat Wisconsin in the regular season. That cuts both ways, as the Spartans could come out flat and uninspired. If they give us that opportunity, it could get fun for us early.
3. Will the drama at running back matter? With a month to scheme, I would expect Bobo, et al, has done more than hope a demotion for Crowell+Samuel back+Malcome's renewed passion for playing=success. We saw some of that in the SECC with the DBs getting touches running the ball. I'm thinking a bit more of a philosophical change, though. Looking to use Murray's running abilities and the no-huddle/short passing game to keep them off balance. 

In the end, I'll take another 20-13 blowout, with us eating chunks of clock late in the game and giving the game over to our defense.  

TD

Dawgs to Face Michigan State in Outback Bowl

Kick off is 1pm Eastern on January 2nd from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.  ABC will cover the game with Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden (who still won't be coaching in college by then) in the booth and Lisa Salters on the sideline..

Michigan State got a way worse deal than Georgia did in the bowl selections, with two teams they beat in the regular season (Wisconsin and Michigan) making BCS games.  Of course, they did lose to Wisconsin last night in the B!G championship game.

Very tough defensive team to face. More on that later.

TD