What exactly is different

Count 'Bility

Count 'Bility

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I keep hearing this. People saying that this team feels different. While I bought into that concept after the Miami game, since, I just don't see it. I know I've been a pretty pessimistic sh#t lately but I can't help it. Becuase I'm seeing the same old issues that have plagued this program for 6 years prior to this and I would like someone to explain to me what's different. I'm sorry. I just don't see it.

While my recent angst towards mostly what I believe to be our in-over-his-head OC may be somewhat misplaced, I'm still not satisfied about the play of this team. Yes, I'm happy we win/won. Those of you claiming critics arent happy with a win are just stupid. Plain and simple. But is see things. LOTS of things. And they stem well beyond nitpicking playcalling. I watch Bo's press conference after the game, and it's clearly obvious we still have issues. Bo has not been that visibly upset all season long. I DO NOT SEE US GETTING BETTER. So, i just want to get this out and open it up for discussion. I just wanna know what's different.

 
Special teams play. Turnovers (outside of this weird snapping issue the last few games). Sense of player leadership. Talent level on both sides of the ball.

What exactly is the same? Not some vague "issues that have plagued the program" catch-all.

 
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Why is this team different?

-Played a top ten team on the road and damn near won. I dont wanna hear the "YEAH BUT THEY KILLED US FOR 3..." stop. Scoreboard matters to you pissy folks when we get blown out by 30+, but as soon as we keep it competetive you find other reasons to complain.

-Special teams is playing pretty well

-This is probably the best defense in the Big Ten we have had

-The offense is absolutely loaded with talent and weapons.

-Take away Tommys head scratching picks/fumbles and our turnovers look alot more respectable as of late, even with his its not as bad as the last two years I wouldnt think.

-We are 7-1, probably 8-1 heading into a bye before Wiscy. Thats not bad at all no matter how you wanna spin it.

Im one of the people saying quit complaining and enjoy the wins so I guess you are calling me stupid. Im ok with that. Youll be back to pumping sunshine if we blow out Purdue 45-0, and complaining again if we drop a close one to Wiscy. Your attitude this season is schizo. Just chill, seasons going pretty good overall.

 
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The team has been quite a bit sharper this year overall. Yes there's still some cleaning up to do but every team has its issues. The fact is we've taken care of business outside of MSU. Even if Rutgers was an ugly game an 18 point win is taking care of business.

 
Count 'Bility said:
I DO NOT SEE US GETTING BETTER.
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My biggest question for you: If Moore catches that ball in the end zone in East Lansing, would you still have made this thread? We were one catch away from being squarely in the playoff conversation.

But as far as what's different:

A) Improvement on special teams has been huge. We've had relatively good field position advantage most of the season.

B) Armstrong is less prone to melting down under pressure than T-Magic (and has created fewer turnovers, too).

C) Our defensive line is playing much, MUCH better

No need for psycho-analysis. Those three things have made us better, and that makes it 'feel different'.

 
Count you are really sour on this team for some reason. The overall play of this team is really much better than in past years. The defensive line is really starting to assert itself and look pretty dominant. I like the way our LBs are starting to play better and get their run fits down. The secondary is its normal year in and year out good. I like the way the defense is steadily improving.

The only thing to really worry about from the Rutgers game is that they took their foot off the gas and didn't finish strong. It gives BP something to harp about this week and get better at.

 
The one thing that is consistent is our inconsistency. But in spite of it, this team has found a way to win without it being last second nail bitters. So, they have improved in this regard. I think most of the complaints (against Bo and the team) speak to the matter of playing 4 quarters of consistent, quality execution. We haven't gotten there yet but we are closer. If we ever get to that point, then NU will get the respect we desire in the polls and around the country.

So the positives: better D play (starting to look like the BoDefense we've expected when Bo was hired), Special teams have improved, fewer turnovers, improved running game and for the most part, reliable receivers.

Areas to improve - play calling. I still think Beck has a tendency to move away from what is working (running game) and then get cute wt a series of pass plays. In the Rutger's game we were doing fine wt the game plan and then I think there were 3 series in a row where it seemed like we just sputtered.

Focus: normally it is penalty like off-sides that destroy drives, or in one drive, TA seemed to not focus on the hike and we lost the ball.

TA zeros in on one receiver: It seem like TA was trying to hard to get the ball to Moore in the game's 1st half but Moore was having a difficult time catching it. TA finally rediscovered that he had Westerkamp on his team. I've noticed this in a few game. I think it speaks to the need for TA to improve his checking down through his receiver options.

 
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IMO it has the potential to be a different team. I've been probably been as down on Bo as any other poster on HB but we're still in this. We could win out and win the conference. If that happens it will show that not only was I wrong about Bo but that this team was/is different.

We'll see. Same thing I said before the season: conference title or bust. If not now, when?

 
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Two things that keep me from downing the Kool-Aid are:

We are good for one bad egg laying game that we lose.

We can't seem to win the (over)hyped big games on national TV as either dogs or favorites, and we look embarrassingly bad.

As mentioned, we have taken care of the ball better. Special teams has put us in such better field position this year, often an undervalued aspect of the game.

The difference I am seeing is that players are being less mental and more instinctual. Not mind blowing yet, but progress from last year. It's a young defense still learning the game and making mistakes, but buckling down as game progresses.

 
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