Michigan State lost again. No this is not a scheduled post, but rather another disappointing week of football for the green and white. This time, it came at the hand of Wisconsin who dominating from start to finish, beating Michigan State 31-3.
With the loss, Michigan State is now 2-3 on the year after a 2-0 start. This feels like a yearly occurrence for the Spartans but the Pat Fitzgerald era was expected to be a little different.
OK, maybe it was just me who expected more this early, but fans have to learn to give coaches some time considering he was left with a pretty bare cupboard. He’s at least acting like he cares unlike a previous head coach.
Who were the Spartans’ biggest winners (I swear there are some) and losers from the loss?
Winner: “The team needs change” crowd
There was less of a chance to see some change after the Nebraska loss which followed a not-horrendous performance against No. 3 Notre Dame than after getting stomped 31-3 by Wisconsin. The “the team needs change” crowd definitely got a big win on Saturday because there’s just no way that this can continue and Fitzgerald knows that.
No one knows how big the change will be but Fitzgerald knows that he needs to do something to create a spark. A change at quarterback? A youth movement? Probably not quite yet, but some personnel changes would be great for this team.
Loser: The Cam Fancher package (again)
Injury aside, the Cam Fancher package was simply not it for a second straight week and it led to a stalled drive when Alessio Milivojevic was starting to get in a rhythm. Unfortunately, Fancher left with an injury that didn’t look good and hopefully it doesn’t end his season, but even if he’s not out for long, this package may have to be retired.
Fancher is fine to have in for a play or two maybe as a decoy, in short-yardage situations, or when the offense needs a shot in the arm, but no more switching quarterbacks mid-drive.
It was a poorly called game. But we’ll get to that later.
Winner: Dion Crawford
Not only did Dion Crawford lead the team in tackles, but he also had the highest PFF grade on the Spartans’ defense. He was solid all afternoon long and stepped up in place of Jordan Hall. The defense didn’t shine, by any means, but he looked like he belonged out there on a day when linebackers were at a premium.
Loser: Both coordinators
Neither Nick Sheridan nor Joe Rossi had good games. The offense couldn’t move the ball and the play-calling was stale and the defense couldn’t seem to adjust to the fact that Colton Joseph seemingly had no desire to throw the ball and was killing the Spartans with his legs. He finished with just about as many rushing yards (141) as passing yards (145) and Rossi couldn’t figure out how to stop him.
Sheridan’s offense has now scored 26 points over the past three games. We thought the Jonathan Smith era offense was bad, but it wasn’t quite as bad as sub-9.0 points per game. Is this partially on an offensive line that hasn’t held up its end of the bargain? Yes, but the play-calling hasn’t helped.
Winner: Honestly, can’t think of anyone else
The game was really that bad. Maybe Liam Boyd or Rhys Dakin were winners or Jayden Savoury? There really wasn’t anything notable enough outside of the other aforementioned winners to be dubbed the third one. Tough week for Spartan fans with eyes.
Loser: Alessio Milivojevic
Hate to call someone a loser who really wasn’t the reason for the loss, but Milivojevic’s lackluster performance against Wisconsin isn’t going to quiet the already-growing murmurs about a quarterback change. He was 15-for-32 for 103 yards and no touchdowns (obviously) or interceptions and he couldn’t seem to get the ball down the field.
Milivojevic is probably still going to be the starter for a while because the staff just lost the backup (Fancher) to an injury and Kayd Coffman is a true freshman.
He needs to turn this around soon.
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