Michigan State went into the Big House looking to salvage a disappointing season. The Spartans came out fast, picking up a 4th-down stop and converting the good field position into a 7-0 lead.
Then Michigan woke up. The Wolverines reeled off three consecutive scoring drives, with a 12 play 98-yard jaunt smashed in the middle. The refs may have well ended this game there, because that was more than a gut punch for MSU. It was a swift kick in the you-know-wheres.
Here are some thoughts on the first half and an outlook for the next two quarters.
- MSU is using a new offensive line (L-R): Arcuri, Duplain, Samac, Campbell, Reid. I quite like most of this group and they got some good movement to start the game. That hasn’t been the case since and absolutely has to change.
- MSU’s secondary has not played well and lost Josiah Scott on the second play of the game. He got kneed in the chin and was being evaluated for a concussion. Michigan has been able to find easy space in the secondary today. I’d venture to guess that will continue to be a problem.
- The secondary is, flatly, terrible at tackling on the perimeter. Michigan is attacking the edges and the MSU defensive backs have been poor in response.
- Lewereke likes so/so thus far. He’s making good decisions in the zone read game and threw a really nice ball to Cody White to get MSU down to the one yard line on their first TD drive.
- I love that Michigan State plays this game with an edge, but their penalties have been absolutely killer. Two personal fouls cost MSU a prime scoring opportunity and another moved Michigan into the red zone on their first touchdown drive. That has to be corralled.
- Michigan State had a bad drop by a receiver. Drink!
- The Michigan offense is out-scheming the MSU defense. That’s incredibly embarrassing for the Spartan staff. Michigan killed MSU to the perimeter just like Indiana did. The Spartans took too long to adjust. Then UofM got rolling and started kicking MSU’s butt in the middle.
- Michigan State has been lifeless once the emotion left and the teams settled in.
- This game is super danger zone right now, if it isn’t already over. Michigan is making a statement today. Michigan State is rolling over.
- MSU has to score on their first possession of the second half.
- Michigan State needs to be less conservative on offense. They played completely on their heels in the second quarter. MSU needs to push the ball downfield on offense and be more aggressive on defense.
- Michigan State has to win this game in the margins. Michigan is better than Michigan State. MSU can’t get dumb penalties. They can’t drop passes. They need to take advantage of advantageous situations. They haven’t done so at all this game and that’s why they’re down ten points.
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