The Mississippi State Bulldogs played a cupcake game in Week 1. Now comes a real test against an opponent which was fortunate to survive its own cupcake game this past weekend. Kansas State trailed South Dakota for much of the night before rallying for a narrow win. It is easy for both fans and players to think they will win, but a coaching staff is paid to – among other things – keep players focused on the task at hand.
By Matt Zemek
What needs to be emphasized about this game: Teams often make big jumps from Week 1 to Week 2, as coaching staffs learn many lessons about their rosters and discover many new ways to adjust personnel, formations and concepts. Some coaches might simplify the playbook out of a realization that the scheme might have been too complicated and made players confused. Some coaches might feel the players understand the basic ideas of an offensive or defensive system and are ready to take on more variations.
Will we see a different Kansas State team when Mississippi State goes to Manhattan, Kansas, this Saturday? We don’t know… but the Bulldogs have to prepare for that possibility.
Three keys:
1 – THIRD-DOWN DEFENSE
Kansas State appears to lack a highly explosive offense. It was stuck in soup for much of the South Dakota game, its offense unable to land big plays down the field and apply pressure to South Dakota’s defense. Naturally, one could say that when facing a mediocre offense, the most important priority is to avoid defensive breakdowns, but that sounds a little too obvious or generalized, not quite germane to the specific opponent Mississippi State will play on Saturday. The more precise key against minimally potent offenses is to get off the field on third down with great regularity and make the solid, simple plays which stitch together a complete ballgame. Maybe Kansas State will convert a 3rd and 8 on its first series and a 3rd and 7 on its second series, but as long as MSU can keep those instances relatively contained – in both frequency and in not allowing the first-down conversions to go for huge gains – it should be able to win.
2 – NICK FITZGERALD
Mississippi State has Nick Fitzgerald, and the opponent does not. This simple truth needs to become a central factor in the outcomes of MSU games this year, because if it does, the Bulldogs will win a lot of games. Fitzgerald and his relationship with head coach Joe Moorhead should grow and evolve in this game. It is a Power 5 road game early in the season, the kind of situation which tests a veteran quarterback and challenges him to be at his best. Fitzgerald can’t entirely control what happens around him, so if he sees the offensive line not pass blocking or if receivers don’t make catches, he might have to take it upon himself to win this game.
3 – EARLYBIRD
The dreaded early kickoff for a road game can create a sleepy start by a team, especially early in the season when good habits haven’t yet become ingrained. MSU needs to pounce if Kansas State starts out flat, and must survive if KSU thrives in the first quarter.
Be the first to comment