After yet another disappointing Michigan State football loss, it would be easy for fans to heap the blame on the quarterback, especially after the offense accounted for just 16 points and 345 total yards.
But this loss was far from Aidan Chiles' fault.
The play-calling was stale and conservative, the offensive line was putrid, and the run game was non-existent. The offense struggled not because of Chiles but rather the offensive coordinator, the line, and the fact that field position never seemed to be in the Spartans' favor.
Chiles and the offense were constantly pinned deep in their own territory and yet he still played really well, completing 23-of-40 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He was making solid throws all day and he was doing it while running for his life. He finished with 40 rushing yards as well and that's with him getting sacked five times.
If it weren't for Chiles, this game wouldn't have been close heading into the fourth quarter. Illinois held just a 24-16 lead heading into the fourth and then the Spartans gave up two touchdowns in the final 15 minutes to lose in what looked to be a much more lopsided game.
And yet some fans were still calling for Chiles to sit or being heavily critical of him despite him playing his best game of the season outside of that Iowa win a few weeks back.
It makes no sense and there's no reasoning with some fans who always have to make the quarterback the fall guy, but Chiles is going to have to fight through some constant doubters because he truly did look like the future of Michigan State football on Saturday.
Unfortunately, his offensive line and coaching staff let him down -- again.