SB Nation - Mark Iannotti

Game Week Q&A: Eagle Totem

ChrisVannini — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:01:01 -0000

The Spartans look to get back on track by welcoming Eastern Michigan to town. Mike Hart isn't available to the media, but Carter Adler from Eagle Totem was nice enough to answer some questions for us again. In case you missed our preseason Q&A, here it is.

1. Through training camp and now three games, what has surprised you most about the Eagles since we last talked?

My god, they're awful.

Especially the offense.

This was supposed to be a veteran offense. Players who accounted for 50 of the 60 offensive line starts last year returned, and that was a solid offensive line that really excelled at run-blocking. The top two running backs returned -- three if you count Alex Gillett, and since he led the team in rushing yards, I think you have to. The quarterback, who started 27 games before this season, and who was statistically the nation's top passer over a several-game span late last year (I think it was three or four games from late October into the first part of November), returned. The starting tight end returned and was named to the pre-season watchlist for the John Mackey Award, and they guy behind him was looking pretty good too.

Even the defense, despite the lost players, should have carried forward some of last year's success, with three starting linebackers (one of whom was the team's leading tackler last year), two starting defensive linemen, and both starting cornerbacks returning, including several pre-season All-MAC selections.

So far this year, the team has just looked awful. They've looked lost, confused, out-played, out-hustled, and out-coached. They look like no one told them that the season has started, no one clued them in that these games count.

2. EMU is allowing more than 300 yards per game on the ground. What's been the biggest problem with the run defense?

At this point, I'm going back to the position I took in 2010, which is that the defense's biggest problem is the offense. Too many three-and-outs and too many turnovers keep putting the defense right back on the field, often with a short field to defend. Let's be honest, we expected EMU's defense to take a step back -- almost all of last year's seniors were on that side of the ball -- but there's just no good reason for it to be as bad as it is. It does seem like they're still shuffling around the personnel, in particular trying to find the best group to play together on the defensive line, and I do still have hopes that they'll get this straightened out enough to be competitive in the MAC.

3. What are three keys to the game against MSU?

1. EMU needs sustained offensive drives, not three-and-outs and definitely not turnovers. This goes to the heart of what's been Ron English's offensive philosophy for the past three years. The short explanation is that, as the (almost always) underdog, an opponent is likely to -- but not assured of -- outscore EMU a little bit on each possession. To win games, EMU needs to hit those outliers in which they outscore the opponent. The law of small numbers says that you have a better chance of getting an outlier result with a smaller sample size.

To put it another way, EMU needs to flip a coin and get heads at least 75% of the time. If you flip the coin just four times, you have about a 1/3 chance of getting three or four heads flips, but as you continue to flip more and more, the chance of getting such an outlier diminish. So EMU's offensive strategy for the past few seasons was to try to diminish the total possessions in each game by keeping the clock moving (which means a run-first offense), having long drives (which means an offense that can steadily chew its way down the field at 3 to 5 yards per play, rather than an explosive offense that scores in just a few big plays), and a bend-but-don't-break defense that lets the opponent move the ball but keeps the clock moving and doesn't give up big plays.

2. EMU needs playmakers to make plays. Well, duh. But as we saw last week when Pudge Cotton scored a touchdown off an interception, made the tackle on the next play, and recovered a fumble on the play after that, setting up an EMU field goal, even in a team sport like football, outstanding individual play makes a difference. (See also: Braylon Edwards against Michigan State in 2004).

3. EMU needs to just keep cool and play their game. (And, by "their game", see point 1 above). I still think this team has a fair bit of potential, but right now it seems like a lot of guys are trying to do too much, and as a result they're not doing the most important things. For example, Alex Gillett (I hate to pick on him like this, but he's a senior quarterback, which makes him the face of the team), who can -- and did, last year -- kill teams with his feet (and that keeps the clock running and fits in with the game philosophy I mentioned above), now seems to be trying to find an open receiver, even when there isn't one (ahem, six interceptions) and even when he's got room to run in front of him.

I'm guessing that this is at least partially coaching, because the staff indicated in the offseason that they were looking for more of a passing game, but if so, it's created a square peg-round hole issue, and that's a problem the coaches need to fix. If they're committed to this style of offense, they should probably give the backup quarterbacks, Tyler Benz and Mark Iannotti, another look, and if they're committed to Gillett (and I wouldn't blame them if they were; he is, after all, a senior quarterback heading into his 31st start), they should probably do a better job of fitting the offense to his strengths.

If it sounds like I'm putting a lot of this on the coaches, particularly the offensive coaches, particularly the offensive play-calling, it's because I am.

4.EMU has turned the ball over seven times already. If they take better care of the ball, can this still be a good season for the Eagles?

It's actually worse than that. Gillett has turned the ball over seven times by himself; the team as a whole has nine turnovers (six interceptions and three fumbles lost). As I mentioned above, this hurts EMU doubly because it not only often puts opponents in good field position but also because it increases the total number of possessions. Taking better care of the ball will be necessary, but is not sufficient for EMU to have a good season.

5. Give me a score prediction and why

In my preview, I predicted 42-10, and I guess I'll stand by that. I'm not totally sold on Michigan State's offense (compared to what's going to be asked of them throughout the season), but I'm definitely not sold on what EMU is going to field on either side of the ball. My justification for that score was:

Looking at their common opponent (Notre Dame), we can guess that Purdue may have a more potent offense than Michigan State (although that was also a particularly bad game for the Spartans), so that suggests that they'll score something less than the 54 points managed by the Boilermakers. However, I also think the Spartans have a better defense than Purdue, which suggests that EMU may score less than the 16 they managed last weekend. I'll predict a final score of 42-10, with EMU's touchdown coming late in the game to make the final score look more respectable than the game really will be.

Thanks again to Carter for answering our questions, and make sure you check out Eagle Totem for everything on EMU.

In Two-Deep: Khalil Mack Returns As Buffalo Starting Linebacker

Matt Sussman — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:17:06 -0000

Welcome to In Two-Deep, a feature we're trying here on all the depth charts in the MAC and how they change from week-to-week. Many of these changes reflected starts from last week but also factor in injuries, performances and return from suspensions. Warning: because of the play on words, this feature may contain Genesis songs.

We'll try this for a while and see what you think. Going through all the depth charts and comparing them to last week's reveals, we will see how each MAC team's depth charts are evolving.

BALL STATE — Kelly Page is no longer listed as the backup quarterback, likely because of that "twisted ankle" he suffered during practice. He was officially replaced by a pair of true freshmen: Kyle Kamman and Ozzie Mann. Co-backup tight end David Schneider, has been removed.

EASTERN MICHIGAN — Sophomore quarterback Tyler Benz was ticked down from second-string to third, swapped with freshman Mark Iannotti. They also added fullback senior Matt Boyd to the chart as a fullback; previously there was no fullback spot.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN — Just one change: senior defensive tackle Steve Winston was bumped up from backup to first-string, while senior Nate Williams went from first-string to second.

WESTERN MICHIGAN — Quite a few changes. Timmy Keith was removed from first-string "T" receiver, due to that knee injury in the Illinois game which will keep him out for the year. Jaime Wilson and Darrin Duncan each move up a spot and Daniel Braverman is now third string. Junior wideout Justin Collins was promoted to first string "Z" receiver, switching with junior Josh Schaffer, even both were listed as starters Saturday. Tevin Drake, who earned the start Saturday, moved from third string to second running back, supplanting Antoin Scriven.

Senior John Deyo, who started at right guard, was officially moved from second-string to first, switching with redshirt freshman James Kristof. And a "triple switch" on the D-line: senior Deauntay Legrier went from backup left end to starting right end, senior Chris Prom moved down to backup right end and junior Cory Sueing flipped from backup right end to backup left end. Got all that?

TOLEDO — Sophomore Justin Olack switched with sophomore Dwight Macon at "Z" receiver. Senior Phil Lewis was flipped with junior Elijah Jones at nose tackle. And junior Ross Madison was replaced at backup strong safety with redshirt freshman Noah Key.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS — The running back depth chart is all shuffled around. It might be easier to just share the old and new:

Last week:
Akeem Daniels, sophomore
Leighton Settle, junior
Jamal Womble, junior
Cameron Stingily, sophomore
Keith Harris, Jr., freshman

This week:
Settle
Womble
Daniels
Harris
Stingily

Elsewhere, redshirt sophomore Tyler Pitt has gone from backup left guard to starting right guard, flip-flopping spots with redshirt freshman Matt Killian. And sophomore Donovan Gordon moved from third string left defensive tackle to second string, trading with junior Zach Anderson.

AKRON — They stopped listing most of the third-stringers for some reason. In terms of two-deep changes, starting "H" receiver Dee Frieson is no longer the second kickoff returner, being replaced by junior Malachi Freeman. Sophomore Johnny Robinson is now the starting safety, switching spots with senior Josh Richmond.

OHIO — No changes. When you win, I guess, you stick with what works.

BOWLING GREEN — Basically they stripped a lot of "OR" spots. Junior David Kekuewa is now the starting center, with senior Chip Robinson behind him. Sophomore Darrell Hunter is a starter ahead of DeVon McKoy at cornerback. True freshman Will Watson is the backup at the the other CB spot, while Johnny Joseph is third string. John Pettigrew is now the second-string running back. Behind him, in order: Jamel Martin, Andre Givens, and Jordan Hopgood, the latter who is back on the depth chart at fifth-string after serving his one-game suspension against Florida.

UMASS — A ton of changes actually, mostly on the O-line. Nick Speller moved from starting left tackle to right tackle, basically switching with Stephane Milhim. At guard, John Wallace went from left guard to right guard, and previous starting right guard Jamie Casselberry went to backup left guard. Michael Boland was promoted from backup left guard to starter. On defense, safety Ed Saint-Vil will miss a month due to a leg injury. He was listed as backup to Christian Birt but actually started because Birt was injured too. Replacing him is Iric Harris, now the starter ahead of Birt.

MIAMI (OH) — JoJo Williams, who missed the OSU game with a leg injury and is questionable for SIU, is off the depth chart at starting center. Starting right guard Brad Bednar took his place, and the new depth chart reflects that. Sophomore Marcus Matthews moved from backup RG to starter and senior Matt Kennedy appeared on the chart as his backup. Additionally Mason Krysinski was officially changed from "OR" placekicker to kickoff specialist.

BUFFALO — Just the one change, and you can probably guess it: junior Khalil Mack returns as starting outside linebacker, pushing down Willie Moseley to second string and Kendall Robertson off the two-deep completely.

KENT STATE — Understandably after his return touchdown, Dri Archer was bumped from fourth string kickoff returner to the No. 1 man. Everyone else moved down one spot. Also, junior Max Plunkett switched from backup right guard to backup left guard, replacing Jason Bitsko, who was removed. Sophomore Robert Kearney is now backup right guard.