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

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Nate Wozniak #80 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans after an interception as head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers looks on during the second quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Nate Wozniak #80 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans after an interception as head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers looks on during the second quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football is now halfway through its 2017 season and we’ve learned a lot about this team. Here are five major takeaways.

The first half of the 2017 season is in the books and fans, coaches and players have to feel good about the start Michigan State has gotten off to. Flash back about two months. If I were to tell you that Michigan State would be 5-1 with a road win over Michigan by the halfway point in the season, you would have called me crazy.

And I wouldn’t have blamed you.

This team has far exceeded expectations in the first half and there’s still plenty of growth to be made. The Spartans are looking like serious contenders in the Big Ten East, but there’s still half a season to play with the top two teams in the division still on the schedule.

Here are the five biggest takeaways about Michigan State from the first half of the season.

5. Contrary to popular belief, the team is loaded with talent

Everyone told you not to get excited about Michigan State in 2017. Heading into the year, the offseason attrition and graduations led to fans placing all-time low expectations on this team.

There’s very little talent on this roster, they said. Michigan State won’t compete for anything in 2017, they said. However, “they” were wrong. Michigan State has plenty of talent riddled throughout the roster and each position group has seemingly exceeded expectations.

Let’s start off with the offensive talent. Brian Lewerke leads the way with a young, yet potential-ridden, offensive line in front of him. He has three capable running backs behind him, a couple of solid tight ends, led by Matt Sokol, and one of the deepest receiving corps in recent memory. Felton Davis III, Darrell Stewart Jr., Hunter Rison, Cam Chambers, Trishton Jackson and Cody White are all starring at receiver.

Defensively, Joe Bachie, Andrew Dowell and Chris Frey are as talented as any linebacking corps in the conference. Raequan Williams, Jacub Panasiuk, Demetrius Cooper, Mike Panasiuk, Kenny Willekes, Gerald Owens and Naquan Jones have been exceptional on the defensive line.

Lastly, the defensive backfield seems loaded with David Dowell, Khari Willis, Justin Layne, Josiah Scott, Josh Butler, Grayson Miller, Tyson Smith and Matt Morrissey providing depth. This team has talent just about everywhere you look.

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