We've seen this setup before (2010 Capital One Bowl). What can we learn from the result?

[Fast Jimmy]

If you'll recall, Michigan State was 11-2, 7-1 Big 10, actually had a share of the conference championship but Wisconsin was ranked higher- last season before B1G split into two divisions.

Alabama was ranked 16th, had lost three, and pretty much had a disaster of a season based on expectations but were still clearly dangerous. At this point, we're holding on to the top 25 in the polls and face a UGA team that is likely quite a bit stronger than the Alabama of 2010. Personally, I'd prefer that the Huskers were matched up more realistically. To those who yearn for this game, how do you think we're going to avoid a similar result?

This is what it ended up looking like:

_________________1 2 3 4 T

#16 Alabama______7 21 14 7 49

#9 MSU___________0 0 0 7__ 7

http://scores.espn.g...ameId=310010127

From the article:

The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner had 59 yards rushing on 12 carries and a 30-yard reception against the team he rooted for as a kid, Greg McElroy threw for 220 yards and one touchdown and the game got so out of hand that the Crimson Tide (10-3) pulled most of their starters early in the third quarter. Ingram also moved past Shaun Alexander's mark (41) with 42 career touchdowns.

The margin of victory topped East Texas State's 33-0 victory over Tennessee Tech in the 1953 game, then known as the Tangerine Bowl. The bowl dates back to 1947.

"We were outcoached, we were outplayed and we were outphysicaled and that's just the way it is," said Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, who worked under Alabama coach Nick Saban when he was at the helm for the Spartans. "Sometimes, you get an avalanche come on you and that's just what happened."

 

[lo country]

We are our own worst enemy. One thing Sat SHOULD have shown the coaches is that defensively, the DL scheme has got to change. Hell we have 1 month to develop a 3-4 to plug the holes. With a 250-260 Cam at DT we are pretty much screwed on the line anyway. Our pass D will get a test, but I think they will be ready. Go with Whaley and Compton in the middle and Santos and another LB on the outside. Maybe even move up one of our safeties. Do something, hell anything to change.

A 3-4 is a whole scale change, but even go to a basic hat on hat 1 gap scheme. We appear to "slow" for a read and react. Angle of pursuit was so horrific that we need to fix that as well. Simply letting our guys play ie see ball, get ball should improve our ability.

The staff needs to also realize what is more important, trying to win and have a good showing or letting seniors have one last bowl game. For example, is it worth senior X starting over underclassmen Y who is a better athlete, but doesn't "know the system". Dumb it down and get the athletes on the field. As another poster stated, w/out injuries in 2010 David never would have played. Think about that, a kid who didn't know the system, went out and set a single season tackling record at NU. Finished with the all time record after only 2. Get athletes on the field. Get a set of D schemes down that these athletes can learn and execute in their sleep.

On O, same thing. As another posted, we have approx 24 kids on OL schollies. Why are we starting 3 walk-ons. Get some athletes ready to go. Look at tape and find plays that we can execute in our sleep to execute GA and go with those. ACTUALLY USE A TRICK PLAY. It is called a "trick" because it fools the other team.

GA is beatable. It really depends on what team and staff show up.