College Football News Preview 2020: Michigan State Spartans Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The Michigan State Spartans Offense
Consistency in the passing game will be everything. More of a running game is a must, but that will come with more of a commitment to it. Last season, Michigan State won when it threw well, and it lost when it didn’t.
When the O cranked up 300 yards or more through the air, the team went 4-0. When the passing game had three touchdown passes or more, the record was 3-0.
In the six losses, the Spartans threw a grand total of three touchdown passes with ten interceptions, and they only completed more than 57% of their passes in one of those games – hitting 62% in the loss to Arizona State.
The team isn’t going to be good enough to make any noise unless most of the parts are working. It’s not going to be able to challenge for anything big unless the passing game is great.
Biggest Key To The Michigan State Spartans Defense
Don’t get tired. The Spartans were able to come out of the locker room roaring to start the game and after halftime, but they couldn’t keep up the production.
They dominated the first quarters, allowing just 41 points. And they allowed 113 in the second quarters.
They adjusted, giving up just 29 points in the third quarters. And then it all fell apart allowing 110 in the fourth.
To be fair, the offense didn’t provide a lick of help in five of the six losses – scoring 34 in four, to go along with the 34 against Illinois – but the D collapsed against the Illini and too many teams came through late.
Arizona State was held to three points, right up until it marched for a 75-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth in its 10-7 win.
Ohio State’s 24-point second quarter burst all but put the game away, Wisconsin hammered the nail with 21 fourth quarter points, and worst of all, the 27-point Illinois outburst in the fourth quarter – there was a pick-six by Brian Lewerke in the mix – was the biggest collapse.
Key Michigan State Spartans Player To A Successful Season
QB Rocky Lombardi, Jr.
Whether it’s Lombardi or one of the other options in the mix, MSU needs better overall quarterback play.
Brian Lewerke was off his game as a junior, was never quite healthy enough as a senior, and the passing attack suffered. Lombardi got his shot at times over the last two seasons, but it’s been a struggle, completing 43% of his passes for 812 yards and three touchdowns with five picks.
He has the 6-3, 217-pound size, the arm, and just enough mobility to get by, he can step in and start right away. Now he has to be a whole lot better.
Key Game To The Michigan State Spartans Season
Michigan, Oct. 10
You want to get a new coaching era off and running at Michigan State? Beat Michigan.
It’s not going to be an easy start to the season, but it’s a rebuilding year that might turn out to be a grind. However, for Mel Tucker, if he and his Spartans can get by the Wolverines – MSU has lost the last two meetings and three of the last four – the appearance will be that everything is on track. With Ohio State, at Indiana, Minnesota and at Penn State to follow, a loss might be the start to rough run.
– Michigan State Spartans Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 Michigan State Fun Stats
– 4th Down Conversions: Michigan State 13-of-21 (62%) – Opponents 10-of-21 (48%)
– Sacks: Michigan State 40 for 263 yards – Opponents 18 for 113 yards
– Points Per Game: Opponents 22.5 – Michigan State 22.4