Michigan State football: 3 things I want to see vs. Wisconsin in Week 7

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 01: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 01, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 08: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a first half pass while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on October 08, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Vastly improved quarterback play

OK, this has to happen eventually, right?

This season has felt kind of like 2016 when Tyler O’Connor struggled mightily after winning the starting job and Brian Lewerke looked like the best option before getting hurt. Unlike that situation, Payton Thorne was expected to be one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He had already proven himself as the program’s single-season touchdown record holder.

Earlier this week, he admitted that he’d been playing through an injury but didn’t use that as an excuse for his poor play. He alluded to the fact that he needs to be better.

And I want to see him back up that talk.

We heard all offseason how he was ready to take that next step and how he was more confident and a better leader both on and off the field but we just haven’t seen it.

Sure, he has a career-best completion rate through six games, but he’s throwing way too many picks and missing open guys. He needs to tighten the screws and have his best game of the season.

If he struggles, I want to see Noah Kim or Katin Houser getting a shot.

Either way, I need to see some better quarterback play.

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