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Michigan State football: Power ranking head coaching candidates after Week 8

By Connor Muldowney

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 21: Head Coach Mike Elko of the Duke Blue Devils reacts on the sidelines during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 21, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 21: Head Coach Mike Elko of the Duke Blue Devils reacts on the sidelines during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 21, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Oct 21, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Elko has been at or near the top of these lists for weeks now and I truly believe that he’s the best option for Michigan State when it comes to current head coaches.

Unfortunately for Elko, his Blue Devils lost at Florida State in Week 8, 38-20. While some may think that would be enough to drop him from the top spot, I thought his team actually played well enough to win. The Blue Devils blew a second-half lead against the No. 4 team in the country on the road but they led against the Seminoles in Tallahassee in the second half without Riley Leonard (he returned but was knocked out with another injury). That’s wild.

That shows good coaching and good preparation. If Michigan State were to go up against Florida State right now, it would be down 28-0 at halftime.

If Mike Elko led Michigan State right now, the Spartans would probably be 5-2, at worst. I’d still see losses to Washington and Michigan, but there’s just no way Michigan State loses to Maryland, Iowa, or Rutgers with him running the show.

He would make that big of a difference.

If Duke can beat Louisville this week, I may demand Michigan State hire him on the spot.

Next. 5 candidates to replace Mel Tucker as head coach. dark

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