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Michigan State Football: 5 important fixes that need to be made in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates a touchdown during the second half a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates a touchdown during the second half a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio gestures to his players during the 2nd half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio gestures to his players during the 2nd half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Play-calling absolutely needs to improve

This one is a clear message to Dave Warner and Mark Dantonio. Sure, Dantonio doesn’t have the reigns of the offensive play-calling, but he does have the final say. Warner, on the other hand, has been running uncreative plays for the Michigan State offense for years.

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Not just that, but he fails to play to the strengths and weaknesses of his players, at least it was extremely evident in 2016. He didn’t seem to realize that Tyler O’Connor had a weak arm so the long passes never really worked, nor did the curls or slants in which he had to fit the ball into tight spaces.

With Brian Lewerke, Warner will have more to work with. The sophomore quarterback can run, pass and is capable of throwing the deep ball. Still, he needs to get more imaginative with his play-calling. No more run up the middle, end around to the short side of the field, short pass and punt to end drives.

The runs up the middle on first down are more predictable than anything out there. Heck, even opposing Big Ten coaches are catching on.

That type of quote should open Dantonio’s, and Warner’s, eyes.

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If the play-calling doesn’t improve in 2017, there may be no hope for a Michigan State revival any time soon.

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