3 Questions Michigan State Should Have Answered Coming Out Of 'Bye Week'
Michigan State is nearly halfway through its 2023 football season. The Spartans had a ‘bye’ this past Saturday, which should have given interim head coach Harlon Barnett, the coaches and the players a chance to regroup and focus on moving forward.
MSU resumes the season this week on the road against Rutgers, a 4-2 team which has lost two of its last three games. It’s a matchup that will go largely overlooked by those outside the two fandoms, but this game will have ramifications on both teams’ postseason hopes.
In all likelihood, Michigan State has to break its current three-game losing streak this weekend in order to maintain its hopes of making a bowl game. The Spartans are more talented than Rutgers, but are they better coached? With no game to prepare for last week, MSU’s coaching staff had time to assess issues to get back on track.
Here are 3 questions that should have been answered during the Spartans’ off week:
Is it time for change at Quarterback?
There isn’t anything that I can say on this topic that hasn’t already been said. During their three-game losing skid, the Spartans have had issues at quarterback amongst other positions. Many doubt whether redshirt junior Noah Kim is still the man for the job. Most seem ready to give redshirt freshman Katin Houser or even true freshman Sam Leavitt an opportunity.
Rutgers is a ‘must-win’ game for Michigan State, and if a change was to be made at quarterback the bye week would be the ideal time to do so. Kim has shown flashes the last three games of why he won the starting job, but he has also struggled at times with accuracy and turnovers, drawing questions as to whether Houser should be given a chance to lead the Spartans.
Ultimately, it is up to the coaching staff to decide whether to stay with Kim or move on with Houser. With a coaching search looming, this is also an open audition for offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson to prove his worth.
How can MSU’s pass rush improve?
Michigan State’s pass rush started off strong this season, with 10 sacks over the first two games. However, in the last three games, the Spartans have been ‘close, but no cigar’. MSU has created some pressure, but has only recorded one sack. Notably, that sack against Iowa came from cornerback Chester Kimbrough and not someone in the ‘front seven’ of the defense.
With depth on the defensive line and experience at linebacker, the Spartans were expected to have a much stronger pass rush than they’ve shown thus far. However, injuries have once again depleted MSU. Starting linebacker Jacoby Windmon, Michigan State’s best pass rusher a year ago, is out for the remainder of the season. Additionally, defensive ends Khris Bogle and Tunmise Adeleye have each missed time due to injury. That’s made it difficult for the Spartans to find a consistent rotation along the defensive line. True sophomore Zion Young had been a consistent bright spot this season, but MSU needs to pair him with a healthy Bogle, Adeleye or another option to get after opposing quarterbacks more frequently.
Can the Spartans’ special teams ‘flip the field’ consistently?
Michigan State has issues in all three facets of the game that need to be addressed. The Spartans’ special teams units have had their woes, and played a big part in two of their three losses. MSU has missed the consistency brought by All-American punter Bryce Baringer and punt/kick returner Jayden Reed the last couple years.
Against Maryland and Iowa, Michigan State’s punting unit had trouble pinning their opponents back deep on their own side of the field, giving opposing offenses field position for shorter drives. Against the Hawkeyes, the Spartans also gave up a touchdown on a punt return, which ultimately decided the game. Additionally, MSU has fumbled once on kick return, and their returners have struggled to set up their offense with better field position.
Michigan State needs to settle on a punter, whether it be Ryan Eckley or Michael O’Shaughnessy, and that guy needs to improve in consistency. Flipping the field would help the Spartans’ defense greatly, as opponents have regularly started with the ball in or near Michigan State’s half of the field. Wide receiver Tyrell Henry is an explosive player, but that hasn’t translated to explosive plays as a returner on special teams. Part of that is due to opponents not kicking him the ball regularly, but Henry seems to still be finding his way as a returner. If he can figure it out, it would allow one of the team’s biggest playmakers to gain meaningful yards.
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