Michigan State Football: Joe Bachie snubbed from First-Team All-Big Ten

Michigan State football’s Joe Bachie was snubbed from the All-Big Ten first-team on Tuesday afternoon as he was named to the third-team.

Sophomore linebacker Joe Bachie put together one of the best seasons of any linebacker in recent memory and seemed to be destined for a spot on the first-team All-Big Ten squad.

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In fact, Bachie played the most consistent football of anyone on this revamped Michigan State defense and became a leader in just his second season. He was the most reliable defender on the team and seemed to have a hand in every tackle.

He finished the regular season with 94 tackles,7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, two passes defended and two forced fumbles. Shockingly, he was named to the All-Big Ten’s third-team on Tuesday afternoon behind guys like Devin Bush, Jason Cabinda and Garret Dooley.

It’s tough to argue with the placement of Josey Jewell, T.J. Edwards and Tegray Scales on the first two teams, but Bachie has had a better season than Bush, Cabinda and Dooley.

No, it’s not all about statistical production, rather presence on the field, and not one of those three linebackers has had a more imposing presence than Bachie in the middle. He has caused havoc each week and doesn’t just do it with his hard hitting, but also his ability to create turnovers. He’s forced five (three interceptions, two fumbles) this season while the other three combined for two.

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This is what happens when you’re a young player on an underrated defense that struggled a season ago. It’s tough to earn that recognition, but expect Bachie to play with a chip from here on out — as if he hadn’t already.