Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from disappointing 2018 season

Another season is in the books and Michigan State football finished with a disappointing 7-6 record. What’d we learn from 2018?

It’s been a year. That’s about the nicest way we could put what happened in 2018 for Michigan State football into words. The Spartans returned a plethora of starters from a 10-win squad in 2017, but poor coaching and untimely injuries led to the most disappointing season in recent memory — and yes, I’m going to say more disappointing than 2016.

Expectations were at an all-time high, but the staff brought them down with some inexcusable play-calling on the offensive end, flushing an all-time great Spartan defense down the toilet.

Michigan State could come back and make some noise in 2019, only if changes are made to the offensive staff, but if not, we could see more of the same.

What did we learn from the Spartans’ 2018 season?

5. Offensive line may need complete overhaul

Overhaul is a strong word, but it makes sense. It usually means that every single player on the line must be replaced, but there are some salvageable pieces up front for the Spartans, such as Kevin Jarvis and Cole Chewins. Heck, Luke Campbell showed flashes as well as Matt Allen, but the Spartans are bringing in arguably Mark Dantonio’s best class of offensive line recruits in 2019.

Devontae Dobbs could compete for time early on as well as JD Duplain and Nick Samac and they could see their redshirts burned in order to make the line stronger than it’s been in years.

Moreover, Michigan State has the depth on the line to make changes with guys already on the roster such as Mustafa Khaleefah, AJ Arcuri, Blake Bueter, Jacob Isaia, James Ohonba, Dimitri Douglas and Matt Carrick. There is plenty of talent up front with guys who were highly-touted out of high school, but Mark Staten needs to make the necessary changes.

It may be time to shuffle things around because the offensive line was a major liability in 2018.