Michigan State Football: 3 bright spots after 1-3 start to 2020 season

1. Improving defense with an elite leader

One area on this team that deserves more love is the defense. It may not be the 2018 or 2013 defenses, by any means, but the Spartans have a unit that has a bright future and Harlon Barnett wasn’t lying when he said this group is much like Mark Dantonio’s early squads.

Barnett was talking about how this might be like the 2009 defense, or somewhere around there, where there are young pieces but there will be growing pains. He hit the nail on the head.

This unit isn’t dominating anyone, but mistakes are being made and instantly corrected throughout games. The last two nightmare first halves were followed up by stingy second-half efforts by the defense. After allowing 35 points (though 14 came from a pick-six and punt return) to Iowa in the first half, the Spartans only gave up 14 in the second half. Indiana scored 24 first-half points and zero in the final 30 minutes.

Shakur Brown always seems to be in the right spot at the right time with three interceptions on the year but Michigan State needs to win more turnover battles.

The youth movement is evident, the run defense is solid and the secondary continues to improve. Scottie Hazelton’s defense is going to be darn good in a year or two.