Michigan State Football: Final report card for 2018 season

The 2018 season is officially in the books and Michigan State football needs to improve tenfold this offseason. Who graded the highest in 2018?

Mark Dantonio has some decisions to make. His co-offensive coordinators combined to produce one of the worst offenses in the country and arguably the least effective Power Five attack.

If coaching were to receive a grade in our final report card, it would have to be a C, and that’s only because Mike Tressel, Ron Burton and Chuck Bullough leading one of the best defenses in the nation — along with first-year defensive backs coach Paul Haynes.

The offensive coaches would have received an F while the defensive coaches get an A. The result of the mix? The C just makes sense. However, Dave Warner and Jim Bollman have some questions to answer this offseason and Dantonio may need to look for new assistants on the offensive side of the ball.

This report card isn’t for coaches, though — it’s for the players. Which position group do you think graded the highest this season?

Harsh? Maybe, but this is a well-deserved grade for a unit that struggled mightily all season long, capping it off with a shaky bowl performance that sent Brian Lewerke running for his life.

Lewerke was sacked 19 times this season and Rocky Lombardi was downed seven times, totaling 26 compared to just 18 from a year ago. Moreover, there never seemed to be any running room as the team averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and 1.1 rushing touchdowns per game compared to 4.0 yards per touch and 1.4 touchdowns last season.

The offensive line was not great this season and there need to be changes made next year. Kevin Jarvis, Cole Chewins and Matt Allen were lone ‘bright’ spots but guys like Tyler Higby, Jordan Reid and Luke Campbell must step up.

Even with the offensive coordinators dropping the ball, the offense isn’t going to do much of anything if the line is mediocre, at best.