UCLA’s defense doesn’t just make plays - it makes life miserable for offenses, and that’s the problem MSU is walking into this week in Pasadena.
Through six weeks, the Bruins have piled up 19 turnovers, including 10 interceptions. Those numbers put them second and fifth nationally in those categories, and they’ve built that production by attacking in the trenches and forcing offenses to unravel under pressure.
“This week will be a tremendous challenge,” offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said. “Obviously, they do a ton up front; they create a lot of communication, a lot of pressure, a lot of movement.”
That kind of disruption puts the spotlight squarely on MSU’s offensive line, which has shown steady growth over the last six weeks but still has to clean up the mistakes that can wreck a drive in a flash. The Spartans got a taste of that last week when a false start derailed their final possession before their go-ahead kick was blocked.
Against UCLA, there’s no room for those breakdowns. Sheridan made it clear that every piece has to work together.
“You have to protect, and you have to read the play the proper way at the right time, and then you have to create the right separation at the right time,” Sheridan said. “So it takes all 11 to execute any offensive play.”
The stakes at the line of scrimmage have been an issue all season for MSU. The Spartans have given up the 10th most sacks in college football, a big reason they’ve been stuck with the Big Ten’s worst offense in yards per game.
But the problems haven’t landed on the line alone. Sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic’s decisions in the pocket have played a part, and so have receivers who have struggled to separate downfield. The result has been an offense that hasn’t consistently protected the quarterback or given him clean answers.
Even so, the offensive line has made real progress, and its ability to shift pieces around has helped absorb a wave of injuries. Sophomore tackle Rakeem Johnson said his move from right tackle to left tackle last week went well, aside from a few technical tweaks.
“Versatility is a big part of our offense,” Johnson said. “We have guys who can play both sides at guard and tackle, and some who can play center. We can move guys around, use different combinations and still play together.”
Senior center Trent Fraley echoed that view, pointing to the way the unit has adapted as bodies have gone down.
“It’s been great, especially when guys get banged up,” Fraley said. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of the game. Having guys like Conner (Moore), who can move out to tackle, or Rob (Wright Jr.), who has a lot of experience playing tackle, allows us to shift guys around without missing a beat.”
That flexibility will matter against a UCLA defense that throws constant wrinkles at opposing offenses. MSU will have to handle the Bruins’ stunts, communicate cleanly and keep Milivojevic upright if it wants any chance of getting its run game going between the tackles.
The Spartans, 2-5 overall and 0-4 in the Big Ten, meet UCLA, 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten, at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct.
- The game will air on CBS.
In Other News...
Michigan State Heads To UCLA With A Sudden QB Problem
Michigan State heads into its trip to UCLA with an unexpected twist at the most important position on the field, as starting quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is listed as questionable because of an unspecified injury. The Spartans were already navigating a tricky road spot, and now the uncertainty at quarterback adds another layer to a game that had enough moving parts on its own.
Cam Fancher is also out, which leaves Michigan State in a bind if Milivojevic cannot go. That could push true freshman Kayd Coffman or second-year quarterback Leo Hannan into the spotlight, and Coffman in particular brings intrigue after arriving as a highly rated member of the 2026 class despite limited game experience. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Heads To UCLA With A Huge Offensive Concern
Michigan State heads into its trip to UCLA dealing with a familiar kind of midseason uncertainty, and this one starts on offense. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic and running back Jaziun Patterson are both listed as questionable, leaving the Spartans to sort through key decisions at the game's most important position and in the backfield before taking the field.
The injury report does not stop there. Linebacker Jordan Hall and cornerbacks Tre Bell, Tyran Chappell and Charles Brantley are among the other Spartans who are either out or questionable, adding to the challenge of matching up on the road. UCLA has its own issues, including the season-ending loss of starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but Michigan State still has to figure out how much of its offensive plan it can count on before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Heads To UCLA With Its Offense Suddenly In Doubt
Michigan State heads west for a matchup with UCLA carrying more uncertainty than it expected, and the biggest question sits right at the heart of the offense. Starting quarterback Alessio Milivojevic and running back Jaziun Patterson are both listed as questionable, leaving the Spartans to navigate the kind of pregame uncertainty that can change how a staff plans the entire trip.
The injury report also leaves room for concern elsewhere, with left tackle Ben Murawski and linebacker Brady Pretzlaff among the players listed as questionable, while several others on both sides of the ball have already been ruled out. Michigan State is set to keep releasing updated injury reports leading up to the game, so the picture could still shift before kickoff, but for now the Spartans are walking into this one with a lot still unsettled. [Read more 🡒]