Michigan State Football: 5 overreactions from first half of 2017 season

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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his team after intercepting the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

4. The ‘No Fly Zone’ is back

Ranking 12th in college football against the pass, Michigan State’s secondary has the look of a recent unit (2013) that had a nickname for itself. That 2013 defensive backfield nicknamed itself the ‘No Fly Zone’ and it wasn’t a stretch as opposing quarterbacks had a nearly impossible time trying to move the ball through the air against the Spartans.

Darqueze Dennard, Trae Waynes, Isaiah Lewis, Kurtis Drummond and RJ Williamson were the main members of that ‘No Fly Zone’ and they helped lead Michigan State to a Rose Bowl victory over Stanford and a 13-1 campaign.

Is the ‘No Fly Zone’ back? It’s way too early to tell, but this is a common overreaction from the fan base. With the defensive backfield holding opponents to just 170.5 yards per game through the air, it’s fair to say it’s headed in the right direction, but they haven’t played an elite passing attack yet.

Notre Dame’s Brandon Wimbush was a run-first quarterback, Iowa’s Nathan Stanley was largely unproven, Michigan’s John O’Korn was in that same boat of unproven-ness and Minnesota’s Demry Croft played well even after coming in for starter Conor Rhoda. Wait until this group faces Trace McSorley, J.T. Barrett, Clayton Thorson or even Peyton Ramsey/Richard Lagow this weekend.

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