I think if we come out safe and hand it off to Kylin, Auburn will be keying on him and will load the box to keep him from running wild again. I think we need to pass to set up the run and that gets dictated on the very first play. If our run game gets shut down very early and if we lose our appetite to run the ball, it’s going to be a very long game for us. The bearded wonder is going to have to make some solid 10-15 yard passes to open things up....this is imperative for us to have a chance. Time for Joe to earn his 2017 reputation.
First offensive play, run or pass?
- Thread starter Shamoan
- Start date
Making sure all coaches' headsets are operational independent of any Jordan Hare infrastructure would be Job 1.
I like running an RPO and hit the TE in the flat, give it to Kylin if the numbers are there, or trust Shrader to pull it or throw it to someone else.
ETA: I think they'll be looking for the TE in the flat, so it'll likely be covered up. I'd hate for quick pass for no gain and big hit on a TE before he turns up field as first play of the game. Don't want them all hyped up celebrating in our back field to start the game. Put the ball in TS or Shrader's hands to find the matchup and execute. Have a guy running a fly route as well.
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Haha I wish there was some truth to this. This is one thing I've been railing Joe for: Not using timeouts with play clock near 0. Should have done it at the end of the first half last week and there's many more countless examples of this happening and leading to sacks, turnovers or penalties.
If we receive, then the coaches will keep the team huddled on the sideline until 10 seconds on play clock, then trot the team out and look to sidelines with 1 second on play clock and take a 5 yard delay to save time outs for the second half.***
Stevens blind side sack, fumble, Auburn recovers. - worst case
Wide receiver screen, 1 yard gain. - best case
Sorry for the pessimism, but the old MSU fan in me can't help it.
Wide receiver screen, 1 yard gain. - best case
Sorry for the pessimism, but the old MSU fan in me can't help it.
Auburn will put enough players in the box to stop our run.
They will man-up every receiver, thinking/knowing that our receivers aren't good enough to get open consistently and/or our quarterback isn't good enough to throw catchable balls to closely-guarded receivers.
Every SEC defense does this to us, every game, year after year.
That said, I'd run play-action on the first play. Fake to Hill, with a quick throw to a WR (slant or out) for 8 yards or so. Hopefully, we get a catch.
Here's another play I'd run several times every game:
- send every WR deep fly down the field, to clear out some space;
- QB looks deep, like he's going to throw deep;
- have Hill stay put for 2 counts like he's going to pass block, then send him to the flat, looking quickly for the pass; and
- throw it to Hill and let him go to work.
Hopefully, Hill would have some space and make the first guy miss. Then, he can start running downhill.
We could also run a "wheel" route to Hill with this. Hill seems to be catching the ball better this year.
Flea flicker might be there. Not sure who I’d put on the receiving end though. Maybe Austin Williams or Farrod Green?
