MSU Football Game 4 Weather Report

While it may have been a lovely night for football in SoCal, MSU seemed to have a dark cloud hovering exclusively over them throughout the game. I don’t think this game showed us much that we didn’t already know. We all know the state of State and rather than be pleasantly surprised, we received validation in our ineptness. It is difficult to find the suns in this game but there were some rays if you really looked close and managed to stay up until 3am. So, let’s get to the report.

Sun 1: The Fight

This team had every reason to give up. Injuries, 350+ yards given up in the first half, and a 3 touchdown deficit early in the third. The Spartan teams in the last few years would have checked out. You would have seen the body language, the facial expressions and the lack of following through on plays. Against USC, the team actually showed some mettle. In a game that did not feel close at all, they actually were in it in the the fourth. They didn’t give up. They kept pushing. They had next man up mentality and they made it a game. They were most definitely aided and abetted by USC penalties, but they still executed to get 14 points on the board to pull within seven going into the fourth. Not giving up will pay dividends down the road and I’m sure will benefit them in a future game.

Sun 2: Reality Check

There will always be those of us who view MSU football from what the great Adam Schein calls “planet delusional”. This game showed Spartan nation just how far away we are from relevance. USC is a good team, but not even a team that is even considered a national contender. I’m hoping that this can be viewed as a sun. Sometimes it is helpful knowing the work that needs to be done. I’m not sure if the big problem is Rossi or if it is personnel. Either way, we know it isn’t close to being decent let alone exceptional. Recruiting and portal efforts need to improve this defensive outlook. Is it a systematic problem where the wrong players are trying to be fit into a system rather than working with what we have? We have to take this opportunity and find ways to make the team better. Injuries are likely to force Smith to playing younger guys and hopefully we get some positive glimpses into the future. If not, then there is even more work ahead and who knows if the coaching staff will or should be allotted the time to make it happen.

Sun 3: Chiles

Chiles managed to have himself a pretty decent game. 12/21, 212 yards and 4 total touchdowns. Not a bad stat line when your offensive line is once again injured, specifically Stanton Ramil and Vincic, Tullis continues to seem uninterested in blocking and USC is tackling him and Frazier at the point of handoff. The fact that he didn’t turn the ball over with all of that against him is in itself a huge sunshine. Chiles also had a couple of audibles that worked in his favor. He seems to have very good chemistry with Kelly and building it with McCray. His ability to step up in the pocket and turn to his feet and get out of trouble has been a very exciting element to his game. He’s making smarter decisions and even his body language has improved. One moment I liked was when he ran it in to make the score 31-17, he was aware of the game. He ran off the field, gave high fives, but was clearly aware there was more work to be done and celebrating wan’t warranted yet. He even connected on some longer passes, especially the opening TD where he and McCray had enough chemistry to alter the play on the fly and take advantage. I did appreciate some of the creative calls too and I think those are well suited for the receiver weapons MSU has. Chiles will be the reason we are in games this year. He’s going to need to continue to improve and know the line won’t be able to help him much.

Cloud 1: Injuries and Targeting

First, let’s talk about Hall. The targeting call was, unfortunately, within the rules. Based on the rules, the call was accurate. By no means was it malicious. Hall was clearly upset with himself after the play but there was not much he could do to change it. The only benefit to the circumstance was that it happened early and Hall won’t miss the first half of the Nebraska game. Considering that Hall is all over the place defensively he is very much needed.

The injuries were once again brutal and have us comparing the issue to last season. The defensive attrition has me wondering who will actually be on the field? It also has me convinced that the offense is going to have to score on every opportunity to stay in a game because, let’s be honest, the defense is unlikely to make many stops. Hopefully we can get a look at some of the younger players and find the future. Our thoughts are with Matthews III and are happy to hear his motor skills are intact. Martinez and Dunnigan looked as if they both suffered concussions and Ramil seemed to be a leg injury. The Monday injury report will be a must read as we all get more intimate with the depth chart.

Cloud 2: The Defense (or lack thereof)

Houston, we have a problem. I’m not sure why this call is not being answered When I was texting with friends during the game and I mentioned the word defense, pictures of Swiss cheese were sent to me. That is an understatement as a picture of the Grand Canyon may have been more accurate. 517 yards given up, over 300 in the first half. USC had more first half yards than MSU did for the entire game. The USC fumble in the third is the only reason MSU didn’t have 60 put on them and the spread wasn’t covered. 283 yards rushing is hauntingly frightful when looking at our upcoming opponents. I’m just curious as to where we go from here. I’m not seeing any improvement or adjustments. I would say getting hands up and knocking down some balls at the line was improving but that just prevented it from being 600 yards of offense. Receivers are wide open, there’s all day to throw, the running game was basically a first down every hand off. I know Rossi was one of the best out there but it was also a quick hire. After everything we’ve seen thus far, it’s difficult to say he’s the guy unless this by week allows him to change some scheming and set the defense up for more success. Can Kelly and McCray play both ways? Their speed may be useful.

Cloud 3: The Costly Penalty

As I mentioned earlier, MSU was in this game in the fourth. It’s kind of remarkable to think of considering how lopsided it felt but they had a chance. What cost them that chance of maybe truly turning this season into the unexpected? A face mask penalty by Ade Willie. Yes, a fourth down stop with 11 minutes left in the fourth also could have made a huge difference earlier in that drive. But, that face mask to make it first and goal with 8:25 left was the dagger that couldn’t be overcome. MSU then classically answers with a 4 and out as Chiles misses Kelly. One mistake answered with a follow up mistake makes this team infuriating to watch, especially at 2 in the morning.

Spitting Rain

Was any one else annoyed with RG3? I personally found him annoying and talking too much. Very Romoesque. Maybe it was the fact MSU was getting it handed to them, maybe it was the fact the sun was rising soon, or maybe I was just in a bad mood, but I was annoyed. Maybe next time will be better, but this time felt like that spitting rain that is just annoying.

Well, here we sit 3-1 heading into the first by. Pretty much the record most expected or needed. Nebraska looms next in Lincoln and the Huskers were in their game Saturday until the end. Injury reports will be crucial and let’s hope Rossi can find an answer. As always, comment with your suns and clouds, we know there were some extra clouds!