Michigan State football: 3 Takeaways following an awful loss to Michigan

On Saturday, Michigan State football entered their biggest game of the season against the Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans competed, with their defense holding firm despite the loss of Jordan Hall in the third quarter.

However, the offense could not hold their end of the bargain, and MSU fell apart late on defense. They fell to the Wolverines, 31-20. Here is what you can take away from the game.

1. Offense was offensive

This was not a great game to watch on the offense. Michigan State football’s offense was their own worst enemy. The Spartans, outside of a Makhi Frazier 49-yard run that set up the first touchdown, did nothing the entire first half.

MSU capitalized on their chance with Frazier, then proceeded to get 11 yards combined on their two final drives before the halftime break. In fact, outside of the 73-yard touchdown drive in the first half, Michigan State football had a net total of 0 yards in the opening two frames.

The second half was marginally better, with only one three-and-out and a pair of 75-yard touchdown drives. However, there was not much to hang your hat on.

2. Playcalling is unpalatable

The decision making in this game was awful. Michigan State football seemed to make the wrong decision on every moment. When the Spartans scored to make it an 11-point game, Jonathan Smith and the Spartans elected to inexplicably go for two points to make it a nine-point game. There is no feasible explanation for this, as one possession maxes out at eight points.

Unless Smith was planning on three field goals, or a safety (which has only happened twice, against non-Power Four schools) in the Jonathan Smith era, there is no way to explain this.

Fast forward to a fourth-and-three, and the Spartans, instead of trotting Martin Connington out for a 46-or-47-yard field goal, elected to go for it. The Spartans went with a play-action pass that had Aidan Chiles turn his back to the play before popping up to throw to a tight end. It was broken up, with two defenders in range to bring down Jack Velling short of the line to gain even if the pass was completed.

The very next drive, Michigan State football again elected to avoid a Connington field goal, going for it on fourth-and-one. This one is understandable, as all analytics say go for it at this point. However, the Spartans could not execute, and Aidan Chiles was unable to run a quarterback sneak against a misaligned defense. That lies solely on the offensive line, as they could not muster up a push to get a single yard against their biggest rival.

3. Defense had new life

For the first time in the Smith era, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi was out of the booth and down on the sidelines. It breathed new life into the lifeless Spartan defense, with the Spartans holding Bryce Underwood to 86 passing yards. Rossi found particular success in hurrying the freshman with nickel blitzes, and it got home for Dontavius Nash and Malcolm Bell.

The Bell forced fumble that was incorrectly ruled offsides made a huge dent in the Spartans’ momentum, but did not lose the game. The Wolverines could still run wild over Michigan State football.

Rossi also gave the sideline energy. He was screaming on the sideline, particularly on the Malcolm Bell “penalty,” and was able to plead his case on a DPI that was later ruled no penalty as the ball was uncatchable. Rossi’s energy was a welcome and stark contrast to the emotionless Jonathan Smith who’s firing seems inevitable in the next month or so.

What is next for Michigan State football?

The Spartans head to the Twin Cities to take on Minnesota. The Golden Gophers open as 4.5-point favorites. The game will be at 3:30 p.m. EST.