Pat Fitzgerald accepted the Michigan State job with one goal on his mind: winning. Well, winning and a good redemption story because who doesn’t like that?
He’s said and done all the right things so far, but his Spartans are 2-3 and showing no signs of improvement week-to-week which deviates from the first three weeks. A lot of the issues during this 2-3 start can be blamed on injuries, but it’s honestly just a lack of overall talent and depth which was left behind by a forgettable Jonathan Smith era.
Fitzgerald is still picking up the pieces and trying to make them work together.
Through five games, it’s been rough, though. And there have been some absolutely infuriating moments. Fitzgerald deserves some time to prove himself, but what stats have been the most infuriating through the first five games?
Yards per carry (3.1)
Raise your hand if you fell for it again. OK, so Michigan State’s offensive line has had its moments but it’s currently not grading out so nicely. Still, the offensive line was expected to be a major strength this season due to the amount of money spent on it in the transfer portal. Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite been as effective as hoped.
The ground game has left a lot to be desired with Cam Edwards, Jaz Patterson, Marvis Parrish, and Co. combining to average just 3.1 yards per carry. A lot of these yards are hardfought after contact, so the line isn’t quite doing its job. The Edwards injury did hurt and it’s going to leave a lasting effect, but this lack of efficiency on the ground is unacceptable.
That’s not even mentioning the 123.6 rushing yards per game that Michigan State has been limited to.
All-around poor output on the ground through five games.
Sacks (7)
This was supposed to be a newfound strength for the defense under Fitzgerald, but teams have been getting the ball out quickly against this improved defensive front. The pieces are there in Kenny Soares Jr., Ben Roberts, and Eli Coenen, but they’re not getting a ton of help from the secondary. With a little better coverage, we’d see more sacks, but at least there have been bright spots.
Averaging just over a sack per game is pretty infuriating, especially with the talent that’s in that defensive line and edge rushing room. This simply has to get better.
Winning games comes down to the trenches and if the defense can’t get anyone off schedule with more negative yardage plays, Michigan State will miss yet another bowl game.
Sacks allowed (17)
Notice a theme?
The defense not generating enough pressure has been an issue, but the trenches are just being lost by the Spartans this season and that’s exactly why this team is trending in the wrong direction.
Injuries haven’t helped and talent was already at a premium, but the trenches have been an area of weakness, for the most part. Michigan State is not only barely averaging more than a sack per game, but it’s also giving up more than three per game. That’s not a winning ratio.
The offensive line has had its moments of pure domination (Eastern Michigan) but it’s been far too inconsistent and Trent Fraley can’t do it all on his own.
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