Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: 3 reasons to feel optimistic ahead of Michigan game

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Jalen Nailor celebrates after a catch against Michigan during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.201031 Msu Um 071a
Michigan State's Jalen Nailor celebrates after a catch against Michigan during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.201031 Msu Um 071a /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara (12) passes against the Northwestern Wildcats during first half action Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Michigan Stadium.Mich Nw
Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara (12) passes against the Northwestern Wildcats during first half action Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Michigan Stadium.Mich Nw /

2. Michigan’s offense may become one-dimensional

What Michigan State was able to do to Jack Tuttle in Week 7 deserves some praise. The Spartans held him to under 200 yards and he needed 52 passes to even come close. That’s really good pass defense as well as strong defensive line play.

Michigan State is getting better defensively and the secondary’s recent success is a prime example.

Sure, the Spartans have given up plenty of passing yards, but not a lot of yards per attempt. Actually, Michigan State is ranked 18th in the country, allowing just 6.3 yards per attempt this year and the Spartans’ scoring defense is near the top of the Big Ten. A Michigan State secondary gaining confidence and Cade McNamara being very average against Power Five foes is a recipe for success for the Spartans.

Cade just hasn’t been a great quarterback and his shortcomings have forced Michigan to become one-dimensional a few times this season and that’s going to happen again on Saturday.

The veteran quarterback averages 157 yards per game with two touchdowns, an interception, a 60 percent completion rate, and 6.3 yards per attempt in five games against Power Five foes.

Michigan will have to beat the Spartans with a run-heavy attack. And Michigan State has been really good against the run this year.

Home/Spartans Football