Michigan State football: Offensive PFF grades vs USC

Michigan State football lost to USC in Week 4, falling 31-45 to the potent Trojan offense. The team showed fight after trailing by 21 early in the third quarter, and the Spartans fought their way to a 7-point game at the start of the fourth. However, the magic stopped there, and Michigan State football could not win the final quarter.

That said, some players on the offense had arguably their best nights as Spartans. How did PFF grade out the offense? Here are five up, and five down for MSU.

Top Five for Michigan State football on Offense vs. USC:

• WR Omari Kelly: 80.6
• RB Makhi Frazier: 76.8
• OL Gavin Broscious: 71.3
• OL Matt Gulbin: 71.1
• QB Aidan Chiles: 63.3

The offense was humming against USC, and all five of these players truly capture why. Kelly was consistent, recording over 60 yards with his other catches before a 75-yard bomb put the Spartans within 14 points before the whistle. He also added a throw to Michael Masunas (who just missed this list, being graded 63.2) for his first completion as a Spartan.

Frazier was a big part of MSU’s comeback attempt, with a majority of his rushing yards coming through the Spartans’ two touchdown drives in the third quarter.

Broscious made a notable difference in the game, with the fourth-year junior having arguably his best game as a Spartan, and outplaying his competition for the right guard spot, Kristian Phillips.

Gulbin was consistent as always, and barely missed the honor for top offensive lineman of the week. He and Chiles were the Spartans to play every snap of Saturday’s game.

Chiles had an excellent night, staying turnover free, keeping calm in the pocket, and delivering strikes when called upon. One of his few misfires came at an unfortunate time, on a fourth-and-long deep in Spartan territory that helped put the game out of reach with USC’s ensuing touchdown.

Bottom Five PFF Grades, offense

• TE Jack Velling: 55.9
• WR Nick Marsh: 55.6
• OL Caleb Carter: 54.4
• RB Brandon Tullis: 54.0
• TE Brennan Parachek: 42.6

In a surprise move, most of the Spartan offensive line stays out of the bottom five. All five players on this list are ones I can understand, and I’ll explain why.

Velling was outplayed by Masunas, despite the junior having his least productive game of his fourth campaign thus far. Outside of a schemed up tush push fake, Velling was non-existent in the Spartan passing game. In spite of a touchdown catch, Velling finds himself in the bottom five for PFF grades. While none of his grades are awful, none are great, either.

Nick Marsh finds himself on this list, and it is worth noting that Jonathan Smith confirmed the star receiver was not at 100% against the Trojans. Marsh was targeted early, and had a few catches to provide hope. That said, he went the final half without a catch, and that “disappearing act” (which again, injuries) likely caused him to fall into the bottom four.

Carter did not have his best game with MSU, with his 31.7 grade in pass protection not aiding the Spartans. Overall, it was the first time Carter’s play seemed off, and let’s hope this is an outlier.

Tullis, again, struggled in pass protection, and could not provide a spark running the ball. Unfortunately, this was Tullis’s first career start, and it showed room for improvement. With Frazier hopefully returning to fully healthy next week, we can hope to see more of the Spartans’ leading rusher soon.

As far as Parachek goes, there is not much to write on. He had seven snaps, none of which stood out. Overall, his usage over Jayden Savoury was a head scratcher to me. The Spartans utilized Savoury on special teams, so why not throw him in on offense if you are set on burning the redshirt? Parachek’s game was, well, not great to say the least. It is clear to see Masunas has won the TE2 job for good reason.

The Spartans get another Big Ten foe on the road to continue or turn around these grades, playing Nebraska on October 4. The game will kick at 4 p.m. EST.