Michigan State has had a very up and down season and as the Spartans head into a matchup with Ohio State, the Buckeyes are heavily favored. However, with a huge win against Northwestern, Michigan State proved it could be a very scary team if it all clicks for it.
There are some reasons to think the Spartans could hang around and give Ohio State some issues. I think the Buckeyes certainly are the better team and will pull away from the in the end, but in a perfect storm, here are the three things that could make this one more uncomfortable than any OSU fan wants.
NEXT … Turnovers are hard to predict
Take turnovers out of the equation and the Spartans are a tough out
In the field position battle, @HawkeyeFootball dominates with an average +10 yards of field position over opponents, followed closely by @OhioStateFB.@MSU_Football are in their own rectangle out there, probably due to all the turnovers in bad positions. pic.twitter.com/u1Bvd86QJI
— Staturdays | CFB Stats + Analytics (@Staturdays) December 3, 2020
From what we see above the Spartans have lost the turnover battle this season. It has resulted in a lot of yardage given up, and a terrible starting position. This has put the team behind in games and made it difficult to keep pace in some of the games. Ohio State has an explosive offense, and getting behind on the Buckeyes is a recipe for losing.
A lot of the issues stem from shaky quarterback play. If the Spartans can help keep the offensive turnovers down, and allow their playmaking defensive back, Shakur Brown, to keep making interceptions, the Spartans could hang around in the game. But, again this starts with the quarterback play.
Turnovers are hard to predict, and Michigan State showed that it can play with anyone when it takes care of the ball and doesn’t suffer some bad luck.
NEXT … Rocky Lombardi can be dangerous
Rocky Lombardi playing well would be huge for Michigan State
Michigan State this year
-Lost as 10 point favorites to Rutgers
-Won as 24 point underdog to Michigan
-Lost by 42 to Iowa
-Lost and shutout at home vs Indiana
-Won as 13 point underdog vs Northwestern— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) November 29, 2020
Watching the Spartans play this year has been a question about which Rocky Lombardi shows up. If the “good” Lombardi shows up, he makes smart decisions, has a good touch, and makes plays all over the field. The problem is the “good” Rocky has been gone for large stretches of the season. He showed up for parts of the Rutgers game, fully appeared against Michigan, then disappeared for the most part until Northwestern, which was still a little shaky.
If Lombardi can get into a rhythm and not make some of the glaring mistakes he has made this season, he should be able to move the ball against an Ohio State defense that’s given up yards through the air. Lombardi playing well would help reason one with the turnover battle, and it is a must for the Spartans to win.
NEXT … Finding the running game…again
The Spartans are starting to show life on the ground
@madirosefaith – Madison we finally got a productive running game from our Spartans vs Northwestern!! 195 yards as a TEAM! 🏈
— Jamell Williams (@JWilliamsMSUFan) November 29, 2020
One of the biggest flaws to this year’s iteration of the Michigan State Spartans has been the lack of a consistent running game. Against Northwestern, the Spartans tore up the field with 195 yards. This marked only the second game this season the Spartans went over 100 yards, the other game was against Michigan.
For most of the season, the Spartans have really bad running the ball. Taking into account the Northwestern contest, the run game is averaging 2.7 yards per carry (it had a 4.1 YPC against Northwestern). If the Spartans can gobble up yards on the ground, this will take a lot of pressure off the quarterback and will help the turnover battle.
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