Crimson Red Sports

I find myself chuckling as I keep reading all the articles relating to how Michigan State is preparing for Derrick Henry. First of all I hope that Derrick Henry is all they are worried about because there will be two more healthy running backs in the backfield Thursday night. I will say though, I can't blame them for being worried.

Henry has been pretty much the only running back this year for Bama but for this game, he has some help if he wants it. It's great news to know that Bama is going into the playoffs with four running backs for a change. With Drake at almost 100% and Scarbrough at 100%, that's got to make Coach Burton Burns a very happy coach and then let's not forget Damien Harris as well. It's also got to make CLK a happy OC as well. He now has a full healthy corp of running backs to go along with a very good receiving corp and I think Michigan State had better be practicing for a lot more than Derrick Henry. ;)

Good points, Jamos.

You can expect the announcers to babble wildly when MSU has success during the first few series against King Herny.  They'll cheer and celebrate the power of Big 10 defenses.  But just wait.  MANY teams blocked up the middle against DH during the early going this year, only to watch him run for 200 yards thereafter. 

 :popcorn2:

I'm honestly not sure how one "prepares" for Henry.  Maybe a massive weight lifting program?   ???


I don't expect to see much of Bo or Harris as long and Henry and Drake stay healthy.  Saban doesn't like putting the game (or football) in the hands of younger RBs as long as the game is still on the line.  It would be great to see them play; that means the game will be like last time Bama played MSU, and Lacy saw some serious playing time.

The Drake healthy, now that could be big.  If MSU does focus on stopping a big, bruising back, they won't know what to do with Drake in the game. 

Well, joking aside I could see that their defense would ...
1. be more aggressive; penetrate more to try to stop the plays in the backfield.  That worked for Ole Miss and a few other teams;
2. shift more just before the snap.  That confused our O-line against Tennessee and LSU.

But I like your idea of bulking up.  They could also start recruiting among their student body!!   :lol2:

Good points about Drake and other RBs.  If we see any RBs besides Drake and DH, either someone is injured or (more likely) the score is lopsided our way!

 :worship:

MSU's secondary is their weak link. Expect a good amount of play action. Calvin and Ardarius may just have a big day. If they do, King Henry will also. That will eventually keep them from stacking the box and hopefully, we'll see King Henry run amok!

  come on Chech, recruiting from the student body only works for the Gators...

 :lol2: :lol2:  I've seen those midwestern women; they're capable!

Auburn may have to do it, as well. They won't be able to get many of their players out of the petting zoo for the game.

Just spewed my coffee!   :lol: :lol:

Speed sweeps, wide receiver screens and down field passing keep the defense from stacking the box. CLK does a good job of stretching the field and making the defense play honest. Our line (the best in the NCAA) and our running backs (especially HTW Derrick Henry) are difficult for any defense to play for 4 quarters.

From the LSU game onward, opponents knew Henry was going to get the ball and they couldn't stop him.  The offense just wore them down until big plays broke.  I don't think MSU can stop Henry. 

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Kyjellyuk.jpg/220px-Kyjellyuk.jpg)

 :lol: :lol: :lol:

What are you talking about?  Charleston Southern shut Henry down totally in the second half of that game...  :lol2:

The term, "Broad," originated in the Midwest.