Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will handle Central Michigan
3. Pass rush is improving
If you watched the Indiana game, you had to come away impressed with the way the Michigan State defensive line dominated. The Spartans finished with four “official” sacks, but Mark Dantonio watched the film and addressed the fact that his team was mis-credited and should have had six, but instead were awarded tackles for loss on two plays.
That pass rush by the line is improving by the week and it’s something not many saw coming with the lack of depth, on paper, before the season started.
The defensive line was actually an area that was considered one of few weaknesses, but has since been dubbed a strength. Though Michigan State didn’t finish with many sacks in the first two games, it got pressure on both Arizona State and Utah State, but Manny Wilkins and Jordan Love got the ball out so quickly that the line couldn’t get to them in time.
Peyton Ramsey did the same in Week 4 in Bloomington, but Michigan State was still able to wrangle him up four (actually six) times. Imagine what the pass rush could have done with a little more time.
Central Michigan’s offensive line will have a rough day trying to protect Tommy Lazzaro as the Chips surrender six more sacks, at least, to the Spartans.