Michigan State football: 3 goals vs. Rutgers in Week 7

2. Protect the football

Again, such a fundamental concept that the Spartans just can’t grasp through five games. Against Maryland and Iowa, the Spartan offense clearly outplayed their opponent until seven turnovers between the two games doomed them. Turnovers early give the opponent a short field and turnovers late in a drive leaves you with no points for a sustained drive.

With Katin Houser at helm, we will see if he learns from his mistakes or clams up like Noah Kim seemed to do against Iowa.

For the fifth time this year, I am once again asking Jay Johnson to help his quarterback out with short, easy throws to start the game to get into rhythm. Do not have a right-handed quarterback roll out left to start, it doesn’t favor anyone.

There was some early success on run option plays where Houser can either give it to the running back going right or he can keep the ball and rush left. Use it in the right spots, don’t use it as a crutch on third-and-short.