Michigan State Football: 3 goals for the offense in 2023

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: Ben Patton #93 of the Michigan State Spartan reacts to missing a field goal, forcing the game into overtime, against the Indiana Hoosiers during the fourth quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on November 19, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

2. Improve red zone conversion percentage

One way to score more points is to cash in when in the red zone. Michigan State only scored on 71 percent of their red zone trips last season, which was dead last in the Big Ten.

While their 25 red zone touchdowns were good for middle of the pack, their abysmal 37.5 percent field goal conversion rate was last place by a wide margin, with second to last being 32 percentage points higher than the Spartans.

On top of all that, the Spartans turned it over on downs inside the red zone five times, worst in the conference again. The good news is that MSU didn’t turn it over in the red zone, with zero interceptions and only one fumble. The bad news is that those stats mean the Spartans just did not execute in the most important spot on the field.

With an improved offensive line, I can picture much more red zone efficiency, with an emphasis on using the tight ends (Norfolk State transfer Ademola Faleye clocking in at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds could be a sneaky-good red zone target).

I know 15 percentage points seems like a lot but if the Spartans could convert 85 percent of their red zone trips (Big Ten average), even two field goals could go a long way in winning more games.

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