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We had a great day in East Lansing yesterday and here are a few random thoughts...

* MSU has a very nice campus and I loved the atmosphere...much more than I experienced at UM, Penn State or Pitt in recent years. (Sorry, but there is nothing like the scene in Columbus on game day)

* MSU fans were great...before the game we were invited to several tailgates for a beer. We were the only BG people in our section and evryone treated us with respect. After the game several folks stop us and complimented the Falcons and wished us good luck this season.

* Sheehan a has a big-time arm. Seeing him but some zip on the ball in person was even more impressive. He also moved pretty good in the pocket and still looked downfield. MSU folks were impressed as well.

* Special teams units have improved tons over last year. Punt teams and field goal units played well. Kick-off teams (kick and return) still need some work though. But 30-yard kickoff this year is making it tough on everyone.

* Defense played well. Baker, Haneline, Barrow and Basler stood out for me. However, I think the MAC teams will present more of a challenge than Minny and MSU. MAC teams will spread us out and throw more. Big Ten teams tend to line-up and pound. That is easier to defend in some respects.

* I love the attitue of not taking a knee deep in our territory with 58 seconds left in the half. We drive down and almost come away with a FG. That never say die attitude set a tone at half time. People sitting around us were like "you guys just keep coming at us."

* If we can develop some line play after this year's seniors graduate, this offense is going to be very good the next two years.

* Bullock must not be able to catch out of the backfield at all. I would have loved to see him get some opportunities yesteday when MSU was so focsued on the passing game. I think Brandon may be saving him for the MAC. He semed to wear down a little late in the year last season. We'll need him now that Ransom is a question mark.

What about Geter??? Does he remind you, possibly, of any small MAC running backs that have recently graduated from Northern Illionois? I know it's early and he is a freshman, but I think he's got the ability to be the next Garrett Wolfe...Too optimistic?

Rollo83 wrote: * I love the attitue of not taking a knee deep in our territory with 58 seconds left in the half. We drive down and almost come away with a FG. That never say die attitude set a tone at half time. People sitting around us were like "you guys just keep coming at us."

You love this, but think it was right to punt on 4th and 1 in the opponents territory? That's seems a little contradictory. If any thing, you play it conservative in the first half and aggressive in the second, not the other way around.

Warthog wrote:

Rollo83 wrote: * I love the attitue of not taking a knee deep in our territory with 58 seconds left in the half. We drive down and almost come away with a FG. That never say die attitude set a tone at half time. People sitting around us were like "you guys just keep coming at us."

You love this, but think it was right to punt on 4th and 1 in the opponents territory? That's seems a little contradictory. If any thing, you play it conservative in the first half and aggressive in the second, not the other way around.

At the end of the half we had first down with timeouts left. How does that compare to a fourth and one at mid-field? One is a one-and-done situation and the other gives you some margin for error.

You have to know when to be agressive and when the risk doesn't outweigh the reward. I think this coaching staff has done a great job of making these kinds of calls this year.

Rollo83 wrote:

Warthog wrote:

Rollo83 wrote: * I love the attitue of not taking a knee deep in our territory with 58 seconds left in the half. We drive down and almost come away with a FG. That never say die attitude set a tone at half time. People sitting around us were like "you guys just keep coming at us."

You love this, but think it was right to punt on 4th and 1 in the opponents territory? That's seems a little contradictory. If any thing, you play it conservative in the first half and aggressive in the second, not the other way around.

At the end of the half we had first down with timeouts left. How does that compare to a fourth and one at mid-field? One is a one-and-done situation and the other gives you some margin for error.

You have to know when to be agressive and when the risk doesn't outweigh the reward. I think this coaching staff has done a great job of making these kinds of calls this year.

You're wrong on the 4th & 1 call. The reward almost always outweighs the risk in that situation. You should pick it up better than half the time, and 25 yards of field position are virtually meaningless.

hammb wrote:

Rollo83 wrote:

Warthog wrote:

Rollo83 wrote: * I love the attitue of not taking a knee deep in our territory with 58 seconds left in the half. We drive down and almost come away with a FG. That never say die attitude set a tone at half time. People sitting around us were like "you guys just keep coming at us."

You love this, but think it was right to punt on 4th and 1 in the opponents territory? That's seems a little contradictory. If any thing, you play it conservative in the first half and aggressive in the second, not the other way around.

At the end of the half we had first down with timeouts left. How does that compare to a fourth and one at mid-field? One is a one-and-done situation and the other gives you some margin for error.

You have to know when to be agressive and when the risk doesn't outweigh the reward. I think this coaching staff has done a great job of making these kinds of calls this year.

You're wrong on the 4th & 1 call. The reward almost always outweighs the risk in that situation. You should pick it up better than half the time, and 25 yards of field position are virtually meaningless.

Four plays and 2 minute+ later we got the ball back and lost only 19 yards of field position. Hindsite, it's hard to argue with the decision.