MSU Keys to Victory: Mormon Mission Edition

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Peeps, the Bulldogs of MSU will take on the Cougars of BYU in a road game tonight.

After being absolutely pummeled by Auburn less than a week ago, State desperately needs a win. What do the Dawgs need to do in order to get the job done? Here’s what I think:

1. Run the “Darn” Football: We know this team has limitations. The biggest is offensive line, but others include QB and WR drops. How do you mask these deficiencies? By running the “darn” football. Dan Mullen has said QB Nick Fitzgerald is the best running QB he’s coached. Let’s take Mullen at his word and then think about some of the QBs he’s coached in his career: Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Dak Prescott, and Chris Relf all excelled as runners. Mullen is saying he thinks Fitz is better than all of those guys in that area. So turn the OL loose by letting them dictate the game, limit the WRs opportunities to drop the ball, and let Fitz do what you believe he does better than anyone you’ve coached. Go back to the Relf-fense/Relf Coast Offense and run the ball 70+% of the time. Feed the big backs, #FreeD-Lee and hope shortening the game helps.

2. Find a Pass Rush: Another limitation of this team is CB play. You can help hide that with a good pass rush. Unfortunately, the Dawgs have struggled there this season. AJ Jefferson, Jeffery Simmons, Jonathan Calvin, and the MSU linebackers have got to start getting to the QB. It doesn’t necessarily have to result in sacks, but make him move, force him to throw early, hit him a split second after he throws it, etc. The less time we ask our CBs to cover, the better.

3. Leadership: Someone, preferably several someones, need to step up and lead. Dak is gone. It’s time for others to step into that void and lead. It may not be in their nature to be vocal, but it’s time to step out of that comfort zone. When you looked like a Croom team coming off a bye week, it’s time to look yourself in the mirror.

Final Thoughts:

The Dawgs are in a bad way right now. To say we need a win is a gigantic understatement. Honestly, I don’t know that we’ll get it. So far no one on this team has displayed the leadership needed to focus this group. When you quit less than halfway through the first quarter in a tie game, that’s a major issue. Hoping I’m wrong, but I’m expecting another decisive loss in Provo.