Michigan State football stock watch following Akron shutout in Week 2
Last Saturday, Michigan State football shoutout Akron for their largest margin of victory since 2014. In turn, there is plenty of praise and stock raising.
After a mixed game against Western Michigan, everyone was eager to watch Michigan State football last Saturday. Mel Tucker had mentioned the Spartans having a lot to improve, and their game against the Akron Zips was the first time to see these improvements in person. Additionally, the Spartans were looking to replace a few players lost for a few weeks due to injuries.
There were quite a few storylines to follow headed into the game, and the Spartans answered all of them with a resounding 52-0 win. This was the largest Michigan State football victory since their 2014 59-point dismantling of another Mid-American Conference school, Eastern Michigan.
With such a large margin of victory, things should appear to be up for the Spartans, right? Not so fast. While most of the Spartan players improved their stock, a pair took a step back.
Stock up: Jacoby Windmon, DE
Yet again, Jacoby Windmon tops the charts for stock up. The UNLV transfer again played lights out on Saturday. On top of his four sacks in the opener, Windmon added another 1.5 this week. According to PFF, Windmon is currently the top Power Five pass rusher. Considering that the last few top pass rushers have gone in the top 10 picks of the draft recently (Josh Allen of Kentucky, Chase Young, Aidan Hutchinson), I believe saying his stock is up might be an understatement.
Not only was Windmon disrupting the quarterback, but he was also forcing even more turnovers this week. He forced three fumbles this week, which would have placed him tied for first place in forced fumbles for the 2021 Michigan State football team. You read that right, Windmon’s single-week production tied the mark set by Jeff Pietrowski over 13 games last season.
Comparing to last season, Windmon’s 5.5 sacks in two weeks ranked tied for second with 2021 Pietrowksi and Drew Beesley in case you are wondering. Windmon has already had a season, and we are two games in.
Stock analysis
I told you to buy it last week, now you must pay a premium this week from everyone else buying in. Windmon is obviously past the awards watch stage, considering he has won accolades in each of the last two weeks. Now the question becomes if he can keep it up against stiffer competition. I am very intrigued by Windmon facing off against senior Jaxson Kirkland, the Huskies’ left tackle who opted out of the 2022 NFL Draft with an injury.