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Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from Northwestern loss
Oct 8, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans take the field prior to a game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
What can we take away from Michigan State football’s fourth straight loss of the 2016 season?
It was a difficult loss for Michigan State football, because the Spartans had routinely beaten teams like Northwestern the last few years. There are growing pains in East Lansing, however, Michigan State will get better.
It seemed as if every time Michigan State made a play, Northwestern had an answer. If the Wildcats did not have the answer then it was the Spartans inexperience shining through. This is a young team and Mark Dantonio is throwing freshman in because the seniors are not getting the job done. Therefore, there will be games like these that the Spartans must learn from and move on to the next game.
This team is better than their record indicates. There is plenty of parody in college football. A few corrections in the Wisconsin game and MSU wins it. Stop a few third downs against BYU and the Spartans win that game as well. Avoid a sack and possibly beat Indiana. It seems a great divide between being great and losing four in a row.
Michigan State is closer than it thinks and some of that is a confidence thing that Dantonio alluded to. The Spartans will find the inches and when they do, the rest of the Big Ten will be on notice.
Here are some key takeaways from the defeat.
5. The offensive line must improve
Oct 8, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Brian Allen (65) prepares to snap the ball during the first half of a game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
It was truly disappointing to watch the MSU offensive line get blown back with regularity in this game. The QBs were constantly running for their lives.
Michigan State played well in the first half, but the momentum switched when Brian Lewerke was sacked for a safety. The air got sucked out of the Spartans and they struggled until Tyler O’Connor came into the game. When the Spartans were desperate for their line to step up, it took steps back.
The Spartans did run the ball well, at times, in the first quarter, but there were many rushes that went nowhere.
Is it the play calling? Possibly. Is it lack of execution? Most definitely. Now due to the offensive line’s struggles it makes sense that MSU stayed in the style it opened with in the first quarter, a spread look. When it went back to its pro set, the struggles reappeared.
Oct 15, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
4. Brian Lewerke is going to get even better
I was impressed with Brian Lewerke in his first start. What I witnessed was a quarterback who used proper mechanics as well as saw the field. He was decisive with the football. Lewerke made a veteran move when he pumped a throw and took off for a 20-plus yard gain. He got off to a great start, but then the offense stagnated.
However, this was not Brian’s issue. Field position and a switch in scheme to MSU’s pro style set caused the lack of production. He was effective out of the gun, it was natural for him, and it forced Northwestern to not load the box.
Teams understand that facing Michigan State means it will “run the ball from a pro set” — it makes MSU too predictable.
Matt Millen said in during the television broadcast that “once you start him you cannot go back.” The Spartans have to “ride that horse.” I understand Dantonio is going to ride the hot hand, but that does prevent the team from going forward. Ohio State proved that last year.
Lewerke is a dynamic quarterback who has the ability to be a game-changer. For a player with hardly any experience, Lewerke performed well. Once he gets timing down with wide receivers, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
Oct 15, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) is chased down by Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
3. The defensive line lost too much from 2015
The defensive line lost too much in graduation and the transfers of Craig Evans and Montez Sweat were colossal losses that have had a huge impact.
Evans and Sweat would have played a prominent role this year. The loss of Damon Knox as well was back-breaking. No amount of graduate transfers can bandage up this team. Cassius Peat also transferred which would have given this unit a boost. Oh yeah, and Enoch Smith.
You look at the guys who graduated as well. Shilique Calhoun was an All-American, Joel Heath was an NFL-caliber lineman and Lawrence Thomas was a monster on the line. These guys are all gone, leaving a young, unproven unit behind.
It’s easy to write that the pass rush simply needs to get there. However, MSU is having to rely on players who were in high school a year ago.
Michigan State switching Brandon Clemons to the D-line is only a cosmetic change that was exposed by Northwestern. This team is not terrible, but needs time and experience to get better.
The Spartans are what their record indicates right now. They are figuring it out, but it’s costly at this point. This D-Line will be good come next year, but it’s growing and it’s painful to watch.
Michigan State will be back.
Oct 1, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio walks his team onto the field before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Indiana Hoosiers beat the Michigan State Spartans by the score of 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
2. Play-calling must fit the personnel
It’s difficult to put into words what Dantonio means to Spartan fans as well as to his players. A broken program was turned around and it became a national contender again. Respect was restored in East Lansing.
However, the play calling is part of a philosophy that makes Dantonio who he is. He wants to power run with a quarterback under center yet this is a contrast to what many high schools run or are familiar with. The offensive line looked great in the spread, but it struggled in pro style to open running lanes and protect.
Don Treadwell, Dan Roushar and now Dave Warner, these are the coordinators that fans wanted gone at some point in time. Oh, and don’t forget about Pat Narduzzi. I can remember reading countless comments on MLive about firing Narduzzi.
Give it time and MSU will figure it out — possibly. However, when Nick Saban tweaked his scheme for their new QB, it was a sign of the changing climate in college football. It’s time for Dantonio to do the same.
This offensive line needs help and a spread attack saves them the pressure. I love ground and pound but MSU has found much success through the spread versus pro style. It’s time.
Production on the field is showing it to be true. It’s not all Warner’s fault because the play-calling is agreed upon by the head coach. A shift is needed, otherwise the season is lost and possibly more.
Oct 8, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Colby Pearson (3) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans cornerback Tyson Smith (15) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
1. The secondary will be better
The secondary is young and proving itself. It will get better. Albeit, the defensive line must get better, as well, to help minimize 5-6 second passing plays.
Must Read: MSU Football: Report card for Northwestern loss
Teams playing the Spartans have gone to a quick hitting passing attack to counter MSU’s blitzing and the Spartans have not had an answer for it since. It is why the loss of John Reschke is probably greater than Riley Bullough. The secondary is young and will get better as the season goes on.
On a side note, the Spartans will play better against Michigan than any other team this season. Why? They are vanilla in their offense approach. The Spartans will know what is coming on any given down. However, Michigan is extremely good at execution.
The secondary can cover, but not for a long time, which is what they have had to do. This was a young position group and is gaining experience and learning. Justin Layne’s pick-six and second half burn proved to be the measuring rod. They will get there, but it will take time.
This team will take it’s lumps this year, but will also take a giant leap forward next.
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