[81alum]

I think the bottom line is this -- Michigan State has the best defensive of any team we played this season, and no one else comes close. During the timeout before the final fourth down play, I wondered aloud about the quick pitch out play we've seen a few times before in those situations, usually to Wilkerson. We even had the right formation for it, so after the fact I thought it would've been a good call. But when I watched the recording and looked at the play several times, I'm not as sure anymore. Sure, the linebackers were completely selling out on the dive, but the corners on both sides were protecting the edge. I don't know if Gaffney could've gotten outside or not.

That is right.  Not only were the LBs selling out to stop the run, the secondary was too.  I think what was needed all game were quick slants and ten yard passes  over the middle to TEs and RBs into the hole vacated by the crashing LBs.  But those are the passes that Hogan has not thrown this year.

Interestingly, when we had the Nunes/Hogan controversy, Hogan was known for being a much more accurate short to mid range passer and Nunes for throwing the long ball better.  At the beginning of this season I thought a key to our success was whether Hogan could learn to throw the long ball.  He did--quite well.  What continues to mystify me is what happened to his excellent possession passing that he did so well during his first year.  Did it atrophy solely due to the loss of our TEs, was it Hogan getting out of practice at doing it since he focused so heavily on correcting his one flaw (the long ball), or was it the scheme?  But at least we know that Hogan is capable of excellent possession passing-- and it should be a priority to redevelop that skill for next year. 

[81alum]

I think the bottom line is this -- Michigan State has the best defensive of any team we played this season, and no one else comes close. During the timeout before the final fourth down play, I wondered aloud about the quick pitch out play we've seen a few times before in those situations, usually to Wilkerson. We even had the right formation for it, so after the fact I thought it would've been a good call. But when I watched the recording and looked at the play several times, I'm not as sure anymore. Sure, the linebackers were completely selling out on the dive, but the corners on both sides were protecting the edge. I don't know if Gaffney could've gotten outside or not.

That is right.  Not only were the LBs selling out to stop the run, the secondary was too.  I think what was needed all game were quick slants and ten yard passes  over the middle to TEs and RBs into the hole vacated by the crashing LBs.  But those are the passes that Hogan has not thrown this year.

Interestingly, when we had the Nunes/Hogan controversy, Hogan was known for being a much more accurate short to mid range passer and Nunes for throwing the long ball better.  At the beginning of this season I thought a key to our success was whether Hogan could learn to throw the long ball.  He did--quite well.  What continues to mystify me is what happened to his excellent possession passing that he did so well during his first year.  Did it atrophy solely due to the loss of our TEs, was it Hogan getting out of practice at doing it since he focused so heavily on correcting his one flaw (the long ball), or was it the scheme?  But at least we know that Hogan is capable of excellent possession passing-- and it should be a priority to redevelop that skill for next year.