3 things I want to see from Michigan State football in second half of 2024
The second half of the season is upon us and Michigan State football has some work to do if it plans on making the postseason.
There are problems on both sides of the ball that need to be corrected before the Spartans can make a serious push in the second half and there aren't any games that I would consider "unwinnable" for this team moving forward, starting with Saturday's game in East Lansing versus Iowa.
Following Iowa is Michigan to end the month of October before facing Indiana, Illinois, Purdue and Rutgers to end the season. All Michigan State has to do is win one of the next four games before facing Purdue and Rutgers to likely make a bowl game because I see the Spartans winning those final two contests at home.
This team has some work to do.
Here's what I'd like to see from Michigan State in the second half of the season.
1. Better decisions from Aidan Chiles
In the first half of the season, Aidan Chiles had eight interceptions and some fumbling issues, leading to double-digit turnovers in his first year as a collegiate starting quarterback.
Not ideal.
A lot of his turnovers were just sloppy mistakes and they were all avoidable. Throwing into double coverage to try and avoid a sack, trying to play hero ball, and fumbling on the goal line. Chiles made some iffy decisions that cost Michigan State some points so far this season, but I'd like to see a lot better decision-making from him in the final six games.
We've already seen improved decision-making over the past two games against Ohio State and Oregon with two turnovers total in those games -- an interception and a fumble -- but I'd like to see him continue that smart play and the offense will flourish.
2. A run game
Obviously when the offensive line is struggling, having a run game with a pulse is going to be next to impossible. But averaging just 108.4 yards per game on the ground is unacceptable.
Michigan State ranks 104th in the country in rushing yards per game which is ahead of just Minnesota, Northwestern, and UCLA in the Big Ten. That's not going to cut it if this team wants to make the postseason and it really goes against the type of offense Jonathan Smith wants to run.
I'd like to see Chiles use his legs more, Nate Carter make some defenders miss, and Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams get more touches. This run game has been a disaster thus far.
3. More forced turnovers
Michigan State is almost dead-last in college football in turnover margin at -6 through six games. That means, on average, Michigan State is losing the turnover battle each week by one. You're not going to win many games by being in a constant hole with turnovers.
The Spartans have 14 turnovers this year to just eight takeaways. That needs to change.
They're currently 118th nationally in turnover margin, ahead of just UCLA in the Big Ten, but I'd like to see them finish closer to even and maybe make the top-70 nationally in the category by the year's end.
In order to win games, you have to create takeaways and limit turnovers offensively.