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Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions for September 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws before the 2021 Peach Bowl against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws before the 2021 Peach Bowl against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State’s Xavier Henderson intercepts the ball intended for Youngstown State’s Samuel St. Surin during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210911 Msu Youngstown Fb 171a
Michigan State’s Xavier Henderson intercepts the ball intended for Youngstown State’s Samuel St. Surin during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210911 Msu Youngstown Fb 171a /

4. Pass defense holds opponents to under 200 yards per game

I’m optimistic about the pass defense heading into the 2022 season. But to be fair, I was also bullish on the secondary heading into last year, and look how that played out.

Michigan State should improve in this area this season because, well, it can’t get any worse. The Spartans ranked dead-last in terms of passing yards allowed per game in college football and while they saw more passes than any other team and suffered plenty of injuries, it’s still something that needed to be addressed.

Mel Tucker went out and landed Ameer Speed, Ronald Williams comes back, Xavier Henderson also returns, and Charles Brantley is healthy after missing the last month of last season.

This secondary should be one of the most improved areas on the team, especially with Tucker taking over the cornerback room. He’s helping Harlon Barnett out, and we’ll see it pay instant dividends in September as MSU allows fewer than 200 yards per game through the air.

Then again, the only really threatening quarterbacks on the schedule are Tanner Morgan and Michael Penix Jr.

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