Michigan State football: Mel Tucker is nation’s best 2nd-year head coach

According to a new report by 27Sports, Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker is doing great, especially among second-year FBS coaches. In fact, he’s No. 1. And rightfully so.

In pre-season, the Spartans were a fringe bowl team. Analysts were unsure of what Michigan State’s team is, who would contribute the most, and how their quarterback situation would play out. After six weeks, they have a Heisman candidacy for running back Kenneth Walker III, a star quarterback with outstanding potential, an improving defense, two great receivers in Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor (plus Tre Mosely). They have a team that plays hard and knows how to win games.

Second-year FBS coaching grades, according to 247Sports: Arkansas’ Sam Pittman (A), Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin (B+), Jeff Hafley at Boston College (B+), Dave Aranda at Baylor (B), Rutgers’ Greg Schiano (B), Mississippi State’s Mike Leach (C+), Washington State’s Nick Rolovich (C), Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz (C-), Florida State’s Mike Norvell (D-), and Washington’s Jimmy Lake (F).

Of course, Michigan State football’s Mel Tucker gets an A+

Tucker re-tooled the Spartan team by way of the transfer portal to bring in key guys, such as Walker III, who has been the best acquisition for the Spartans. As documented by The Athletic‘s Colton Pouncy, Mel Tucker went into the portal before his second season, told this team they have starting positions to earn, and he has an undefeated team under his belt.

It hasn’t been all sunshine and flowers, either. In Michigan State’s last game against Rutgers, coaching gaffes led to the offense not securing an easy field goal just before the end of the first half. On a few occasions, the Spartans have made sloppy mistakes. Some would argue that the Spartans haven’t played a great full game yet this season.

Michigan State still has the hardest of their schedule yet to come: Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State. Those three are all in the top 10 and are easily the hardest opponents they will face this season.

If Michigan State finishes the season with wins against worse opponents (Indiana, Purdue, Maryland) and can win even one of its games against either Michigan, Penn State, or Ohio State, the Spartans would be 10-2.

Earlier in the season, we argued how a hot start has changed Sparty’s expectations, and a 9-3 season was the bar. If the Spartans actually go 10-2, Mel Tucker should be named Coach of the Year. Hard to argue against that.