Michigan State football is serviceable offense away from title contention

After yet another strong defensive outing, Michigan State football has proven that it’s a serviceable offense away from contending for titles.

You can only watch an offense suffer for so long before declaring it a lost cause. Michigan State is approaching ‘lost cause’ declaration in 2018, but it has shown flashes in different areas over the past two weeks.

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Against Purdue, the passing attack, led by Rocky Lombardi, was a bright spot. It was clear that the offense was in better hands with a healthy Lombardi rather than an injured Brian Lewerke — when healthy, Lewerke is one of the best quarterbacks Mark Dantonio has ever coached. Against Maryland, it was the run game that took off, led by Connor Heyward’s 157 yards and two scores.

Unfortunately, both aspects of the offense haven’t gone off in the same week this season, leading to a 6-3 record with a couple of questionable losses and two solid wins. Heck, the victory over Utah State is looking better by the week as the Aggies are 8-1 and ranked in the AP Top 25.

What has been the difference between an average Dantonio team and a great one? Offense.

Let’s take a look back at the games that Michigan State has lost. The Spartans showcased a strong passing attack against Arizona State on the road, but fell short because the offense was one-dimensional and could only muster 13 points. Northwestern, too, stymied the Spartans’ offense as Lewerke was off all game long and the run game didn’t take off. Lastly, Michigan smacked the Spartan offense, holding it to 94 total yards.

If Michigan State has even an average offense in those games, we could be talking about a team that’s 8-1 and maybe an upset of Michigan isn’t all that unbelievable — two touchdowns could be made up with an offense that could move the ball even slightly better than it did.

Still, the Spartans could be 8-1 heading into a matchup with Ohio State. If the Spartans beat Ohio State, they could be 9-1 with two very winnable games remaining and 11-1 likely. That could mean a Big Ten Championship (if the Buckeyes could beat Michigan) and potential playoff berth.

Unfortunately, the offense has been less than serviceable this season.

The defense has kept them in the game every week and it has been gradually improving. In fact, against Purdue, it forced three turnovers by a potent offense and held the Boilers to just 13 points. Against Penn State on the road, the red-hot Nittany Lions were held to 17 points and against Maryland on the road, the Spartans smothered the Terrapins, holding them to three points and 100 total yards.

This defense is legit.

With guys like Joe Bachie, Raequan Williams, a now-healthy Josiah Scott, Khari Willis, David Dowell, Mike Panasiuk, Kenny Willekes and other rising stars, the defense has a handful of All-Big Ten performers and absolute studs. This defense isn’t Michigan-level, but it’s up there with the best in the conference.

Unfortunately, the offense hasn’t lived up to the hype and that’s been the difference between an average campaign and a great one. Maybe — just maybe — this could be like 2012 and 2019 will be comparable to 2013. The great defensive season will lead into an all-around elite team the following year.