I don’t agree with benching Rees, but I would really like to see some Hendrix packages to help the running game. (Maybe BK will pull that rabbit out of the hat for Oklahoma…) I am also perplexed as to why we can’t do anything on punt and kickoff returns. I realize it is more difficult to be effective nowadays on p/kr returns, but it can’t be this hard! Also, where the hell was Niklas last week in the passing game??

-Why do we not have a package of plays for Hendrix? I understand Zaire was sick so that explains not using him thus far. Hendrix or Zaire should be on the field on short yardage downs and on the goal line. Only thing I can assume— BK hates what he sees from Hendrix in practice because ND cannot convert a short yardage run (as defenses do not have to honor Rees keeping the ball) and we suck on the goal line because as the field shrinks, so does the window to pass, which doesnt play into Rees’ arm strenght and indecisiveness.

– Why in four+ years do we not have a threat on punt and kick off returns?? You typically only notice a really good unit or bad one and ours has been bad in the BK era.

– Can someone please explain the offensive play calling this year? We have totally under utilized our tight end position. I understand Eifert is gone but Niklas is a huge target and I am not sure we attempted a pass over the middle the entire game. We seem to run on predictable downs and put Rees in a tough situation on 3rd downs. I hope BK sees that Atkinson is not an every down back—you need to be able to run out of arm tackles and he cannot. He is a change of passer runner with an ability to hit the homerun but Cam, and one of the two freshmen should be getting a bulk of the carries. Yes, I left out Carlisle because I am still not sure what to make of him yet.

– If Zaire was healthy, would BK have considered benching Rees by now? It is unfortunate but true that Rees is almost the same player as the last two years. You cannot “coach up” athleticism, arm strength, and big game ability and he lacks in all 3 areas. I do not even think he is as smart as people give him credit for. He has thrown his share of interceptions and has too often been the reason for failure in the redzone with his lack of quick decision making. I hope BK at least incorporates Zaire or Hendrix before a BCS berth slips away.

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Dantonio’s call of the wide receiver pass was the dumbest call I have ever seen. Poorly executed and not necessary on 1st and 10. Second and short, maybe. I still say being a college head football coach is one of the most vastly over compensated positions in the country. Sometimes, I think Kelly’s strategy is “I’ll let the guy across the sidelines shoot himself in the foot first.”

The problem with complaining about the coaching is that the coach is 15-1 in his last sixteen regular season games. What are you guys thinking?

It was a bittersweet weekend for us. Probably the last game I will get to go to with my disabled dad (only 64). The fans were very considerate helping us up the stairs over and over, which was nice. I’m sure a lot of ND fans have similar stories…

A couple quick things on the game. Although the stadium is still much too quiet when we are on defense most of the game, the new “Take a StaND” theme with the piped-in music really has helped that cause. The place came alive in the 4th quarter, and I kept helping my dad up to make noise, which he did. (he had season tickets to the Chiefs at Arrowhead for 40 years, if that gives you an idea). MSU had a couple penalties on late drives (a delay of game and false start) that I credit the stadium with helping to cause.

Secondly, it seems we run the ball better in two tight end sets. Mike, or anybody: do the numbers show this to be true?

The starter was not hurt and complained in the local paper about being benched. MSU was better prepared for the game, but the State coach made critical mistakes during the game. Have to agree that these were two ordinary teams, much as it hurts to admit it. Sideways passes and fade routes rarely work for us, and running laterally on third and one is a mistake. Yes, the play calling is predictable (I think most of us new what was coming on each play).