Michigan State Football: 4 things I want to see vs. Western Michigan

Here are four things I’m looking for during the Michigan State football season opener on Friday versus Western Michigan.

A new season is upon us, and it is full of hope and excitement. Jonathan Smith is entering his second year, Aidan Chiles is back under center, and Michigan State football has one of the best wide receivers in the country that no one is talking about in Nick Marsh.

With every season providing some level of excitement, there are always questions especially for a team that hasn’t made a bowl game in the last three years, and Michigan State is no exception to that.

A three-year bowl-less streak is way too long for a team like Michigan State, which then brings up the question: which version of MSU are we going to get this year?

There are a few things that I’m looking for during the game against Western Michigan that might give us a snippet of what this year’s Michigan State team could be.

1. Keep the offense simple

This is one of those games that you want your basic offensive package to be shown. No, there won’t be many trick plays or anything flashy, but that is not a bad thing in this situation. Just because nothing is flashy doesn’t mean we can’t learn a lot about this team with how well they can run their basic packages.

Western Michigan has a defense that wasn’t good last year as they gave up over 30 points seven different times. While this is not last year’s defense, the Broncos did lose a lot of production. With a new defensive unit for Western and the offense having a year under its belt, Michigan State should be able to rely on running the ball between the tackles, not a lot of motion and not a lot of trick players and still win this game pretty easily.

If they have to run more complicated packages, the offense will be something to keep an eye on this year.

2. Getting a push with the offensive line

This is the biggest thing that I, and probably every MSU fan, will be looking for in Friday’s game.

All offseason, there has been talk and belief that this offensive line will be better and has more depth. We saw flashes in the Iowa game last year where there was dramatic improvement, but injury issues really set back the offensive line last season.

With injuries, it does mean younger guys get experience and because of that, it builds the depth for this season. With a few other portal additions, you can see why there is belief in this room. Belief only goes so far as we need to see it with our own eyes. This is a Western Michigan team that lost their best guy in the middle and it’s a team that MSU has to get a push against to gain confidence from the fans. If this offensive line can open holes, get a push on short-yardage situations and protect Aidan Chiles well, that will go a long way into calming fans worries.

I will definitely be watching very closely on that first third-and-short opportunity to see if this line can get a push to extend the drive.

3. A pass rush and stopping the run

One of the biggest strengths to the defense last year was stopping the run. One of the biggest weaknesses was rushing the passer. With an defensive line that lost some of their interior guys and Khris Bogle at the edge position, there is a lot to replace.

Smith addressed both of these needs through the portal by getting a guy like Grady Kelly but also some young guys at the edge positions. Even with the transfers, the biggest question mark for this team will be the defensive line. This defensive line is going to need guys to step up and pressure the quarterback.

Western Michigan has an offensive line that has starting experience and is coming off a season that running the ball was the team’s strength. This is going to be a test for the defensive line to see if it can get pressure and if it can stop the strength of the Broncos’ offense.

If Michigan State football can have consistent pressure throughout the night against Western, it might not answer all the questions fans have but it would help settle some nerves at least for one week.

4. A convincing win

Not much to say here, but from start to finish, I want to see this team take control of the game and don’t give it back. I also want to see some of the young guys and the second, third, and fourth-stringers get the opportunity to play in this game.

This should be a fun game for all Spartans involved.

Seeing all these things or not seeming some of them doesn’t mean this season is going to be a guaranteed success or failure. Football is a game that you can look great for one game and then things go off the rails. You rarely ever know exactly what a team is going to be by just the first game of the year and that will be true for MSU. If we do see these things, it will give us a snippet of what hopefully will come in Smith’s second year at the helm and that is a better offense, a better defense, and a bowl bid.