Michigan State keeps digging itself into an early hole, and that’s the problem staring the Spartans in the face again with No. 25 Northwestern coming to town Saturday.
If MSU wants any shot at pulling off a major upset, it has to start fast. The Spartans have trailed after the first quarter in all four of their games against Power Four opponents this season, and three of those times they were already down by 10 or more. Over those opening 15 minutes against Notre Dame, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois, Michigan State has been outscored 41-3.
That kind of script leaves little room for recovery, especially for this offense. Michigan State’s passing game has spent most of the year struggling to produce explosive plays, and midway through the season it has only 10 completions or gains of 20 yards or more. That number is tied with Texas A&M for the fewest among Power Four teams, and the FBS median is 18.
Even the rare moments when MSU has had a lead have barely lasted. The Spartans’ only advantage during this four-game skid was a 3-0 edge against Nebraska, and the Cornhuskers answered with a touchdown on the very next possession. Since the Week 2 win over Eastern Michigan, Michigan State’s offense has not taken a snap while ahead.
That matters because this is not a group built to play catch-up. MSU wants to run the ball, manage the clock and control possession. But when the Spartans are forced into passing situations, the limitations show up quickly - especially with quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who has been hesitant to push the ball downfield at times this season, and a receiver group without a true big-play threat.
The first drive could tell a lot. Michigan State has not scored on its opening possession in five straight games, and the first series against Power Four opponents has been rough: a three-and-out and blocked punt at Notre Dame, a punt against Nebraska, a turnover on downs at Wisconsin, and a three-and-out followed by a punt against Illinois.
With MSU already dealing with a short-handed defense because of injuries, the offense can’t afford to spend multiple drives trying to settle in. By then, the game could already be tilted 10-0 or 17-0 the wrong way.
Michigan State doesn’t look like a team that can win a shootout. What it does need is an early drive that gives it something to build on before the game slips away again.
In Other News...
Michigan State Is Sending A Clear Message About Pat Fitzgerald's Fire
Michigan States recent trip to Illinois had no shortage of frustration, and Pat Fitzgerald showed just how much the moment got under his skin after a disputed offsides call went against his team. The Spartans head coach reacted with a middle finger gesture toward officials, a flash of emotion that quickly became part of the postgame conversation before Fitzgerald later apologized for it at a press conference.
Even with the apology, Michigan State is making it clear it does not see the incident as something that defines Fitzgeralds approach. Athletic director Dan Bartholomae publicly backed the coachs passion and enthusiasm, saying he appreciated the energy Fitzgerald brings to the program. For a team looking to channel intensity in the right direction, that kind of support suggests the Spartans would rather focus on the fire than dwell on the flare-up. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo Sends Michigan State Football A Message Fans Needed
A public vote of confidence from Tom Izzo carries real weight in East Lansing, and the longtime Michigan State basketball coach made sure the football program got one after a bruising stretch. Speaking at a press conference, Izzo backed Pat Fitzgerald and the Spartans direction, offering the kind of steady support that resonates with fans who have been looking for a reason to stay patient.
Izzos message mattered because it came after a close overtime loss, the sort of result that can leave a fan base frustrated and searching for bigger answers. By urging support for the football team and its coach, he tried to shift the conversation back toward belief and continuity, a familiar move from a program figure who understands how quickly moods can swing when the results are tight and the questions start piling up. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo May Have A New Michigan State Center To Trust
Freshman center Ethan Taylor has already given Tom Izzo something to chew on early this season, and that matters in East Lansing. The Michigan State coach has praised Taylors motor and the progress he has made, a notably different tone than the one he used when discussing former player Xavier Booker. For a program that often leans on trust, toughness and steady development down the middle, Taylors emergence has been one of the early surprises.
The bigger question now is how quickly that trust turns into a larger role. Veteran Anton Bonke is still the current starter, but Taylors play has created the possibility that he could take over the position as the season goes on. Izzos comments suggest he sees more than just a useful freshman, and for Michigan State, that kind of early belief can change the shape of a frontcourt in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]