Pat Fitzgerald’s first game as Michigan Statex head coach went kind of exactly how everyone expected, and that’s somewhat comforting.
Everyone kind of assumed that Toledo would be a tough out and would hang around while Michigan State showed flashes but was overall pretty conservative in its play-calling, leading to a closer game than Spartan fans would like. Hey, everyone was right.
Now that a sloppy Week 1 game is in the books, the Spartans needed to clean some things up this week in order to prepare for Eastern Michigan.
What fixes does Michigan State need to make?
1. Finishing drives with touchdowns
This was a point of emphasis with Alessio Milivojevic and the Spartans this week as the sophomore quarterback even admitted that he was disappointed that more drives didn’t end up with touchdowns. Liam Boyd made 5-of-6 field goal attempts which just goes to show that too many promising drives stalled out deep in Toledo territory.
If just two of those six drives ended up as touchdowns instead of field goal attempts, we’re talking about a much different game. Michigan State wins comfortably in that scenario.
Finish with touchdowns and not field goals — although Boyd looks like a star.
2. More open running lanes
The same problems arose in Week 1 that had been present throughout the Jonathan Smith era and at the end of Mel Tucker’s tenure. The offensive line struggled to block in the run game, leading to a sub-100-yard game for Cam Edwards despite carrying the ball 27 times. The line was overall solid and fared much better in pass protection, but paving running lanes for Edwards would change the season’s outlook.
Not opening many holes against Toledo was disappointing, but if the line can bounce back and manhandle another MAC opponent in the trenches, they’ll have some nice momentum heading into Notre Dame week.
Edwards should not have to immediately hit four different spins, side-steps, and jukes just to gain 3-4 yards. He’s going to be worn down if the lanes aren’t there soon.
3. Charles Brantley
Fix Charles Brantley? Yes, that would be nice. He was horrendous in the opener and he’d even admit that. He wasn’t his usual scrappy self and got caught sleeping on a deep touchdown pass.
Chuck has had one of the more interesting collegiate careers and after spending a season at Miami where he earned very little playing time, he’s back in East Lansing for his second stint with the Spartans. Everyone is rooting for him because he’s seemingly a great guy off the field but his play on the field needs to be better.
Brantley locking in and taking that season opener as a learning lesson will be key to a bowl push this season because no one has really stepped up opposite Tre Bell.
Let’s hope Brantley is fixed for Week 2.
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