I don’t think there’s any doubt that Michigan State has a good football team. Big Ten wise Kirk Cousins is still one of the better QB’s, their running back core is top-notch and maybe the best in the Big Ten and their defense has looked good despite their matchup with Notre Dame a couple of weeks ago.
A couple of weeks ago I was giving some reassurance to Spartan fans that the world wasn’t ending after their blowout loss to Notre Dame. It was a non conference game and although their National Championship hopes are now gone (although were there any legitimate hopes of a National Championship?) the Big Ten is still very much in play.
With that said, the Spartans open up Big Ten play this weekend when they take on Ohio State from Columbus.
Now although Ohio State isn’t the powerhouse they were in past seasons they are still a team that you cannot take lightly. It’s clear that Michigan State needs to improve in various areas or they can probably expect another Notre Dame type loss.
Greg Johnson of the Grand Rapids Press highlights some areas that Michigan State needs to improve at as they head into this weekend’s Big Ten opener.
Again, Cousins is one of the better QB’s in the Big Ten however the offense needs a lift from Cousins. Johnson writes that Cousins is at a point in his career that he needs to start taking over games and get away from making poor decisions like he’s been doing so far this season.
Johnson also mentions that the defense needs to continue what they’re doing while improving the pass rush. During the Big Ten season it’s vital that defense doesn’t allow the big play and if the opposition is to score they need to use a lot of plays to do so.
It’s apparent that the special teams has been awful this year allowing a blocked punt against Central Michigan. This certainly cannot stand during Big Ten play and you can sure bet that teams like Ohio State are going to try to expose this problem area.
Finally Johnson says that the emotion on the offensive and special teams side of the balls needs to step it up. If the emotion of the defense cannot be matched the upcoming schedule is going to be brutal.
Re: Grand Rapids Press
