The Spartans have played two games, posted two wins, and auspiciously started each game with 75 Yard Touchdowns on the opening play.
Can the Spartans score a Trifecta and win at Miami?
Of course, the Spartans beat Youngstown State 42-14 last Saturday, and after two games, the sleepy Spartan offense of 2020 has seemingly switched from low octane to Jet Fuel. It’s hard to believe, but the Spartans dysfunctional Offense from 2020 is now ranked amongst the Top 10 teams in the country in terms of Rushing Offense and Total Offense.
Of course, only two games have been played, yet the Spartans are averaging an “eye glazing” 299 Yards Rushing and 553 Yards of Total Offense and the comparison to last year is beyond remarkable when we consider the Spartans averaged just 91 Yards Rushing and just 330 Yards of Total Offense last season. So, after just two games, the Spartans Offense has increased its Rushing average by more than 200 Yards per game, and increased Total Offense an average of nearly 225 Yards per game.
What a difference a year makes, right? But is it real? The differential from last season makes one think we are looking into an alternate universe.
There was very little uncertainty the Spartans would beat Youngstown State (an FCS School), yet the Spartans did more than eke out a victory, rather they posted 323 Yards Passing (nearly 12 Yards per attempt) and 272 Yards Rushing (at a robust 7 Yards per), and that sustained scoring drives that were essentially missing all of last season.
I haven’t dug into the archives, but it would be a fair argument to say the Spartans Offense hasn’t been ranked in the Top 10 for more than two decades (arguably longer). So the dramatic Offensive turnaround from last season is a statement of immense proportions. But is it sustainable?
The Spartans are still a long way from a finished product:
Although the Spartans piled up 42 points against Youngstown State, on the other hand, the Spartans only scored 7 points in the 2nd Half and were held scoreless in the 4th Qtr.
The Spartan also got a collection of “bone headed” penalties, and that included two immensely “dumb” penalties attributed to Jared Horst, the Offensive Lineman who transferred from Arkansas State in the offseason. For what its’s worth, on two separate plays, Horst wrestled opposing Defensive players to the ground. If it was a wrestling match it could be considered a nice wresting move, but it wasn’t a wrestling match and those kind of “bone headed” penalties only result in stopping drives. If it isn’t cleaned up, it will cost the Spartans dearly in the future.
In another area of concern, the Spartans Defense has not exactly distinguished itself either. The Spartans yielded 167 Yards Rushing to Youngstown State at nearly 4 Yards per attempt. Let’s remember, Youngstown State is a lower tier FCS school which was able to convert 45% of their 3rd Downs…and 75% of their 4th Downs against the Spartans Defense. Similarly, if the Spartans don’t clean up their 3rd Down Defense, it will cost them dearly once the Big Ten season gets underway.
Harlon Barnett in the Spotlight…for the wrong reasons:
The Spartans have seemingly solved a huge problem by fixing its dysfunctional Rushing Offense (at least in their first two games), yet another problem is raising its ugly head.
The Spartans Pass Defense has demonstrated its vulnerability. In week one, the Pass Defense allowed Hunter Johnson, Northwestern’s untested Quarterback to complete 30 of 43 passing attempts (a stunning 70%), for 283 Yards and 3 Touchdowns. What makes that especially troublesome is the fact Hunter Johnson was an untested commodity.
When I say untested, let’s look back at the past two seasons:
- In 2019, Hunter Johnson appeared in just 6 games but only started 5. In those games he compiled a modest 432 Yards passing with just one Touchdown (less than 100 yards passing per game).
- In 2020 Hunter Johnson only appeared in 2 games without throwing a pass.
So, Hunter Johnson had not distinguished himself as a starting Quarterback, and yet Hunter Johnson exploited Harlon Barnett’s Passing Defense by completing 70% of his passes for 283 Yards, and given an opportunity of 43 passing plays, the Spartans Pass Defense was unable to get a single “pick”. Of course, the Spartans posted a Victory against Northwestern but yielding nearly 300 Yards Passing is usually a recipe for a loss.
By comparison, last weekend, Hunter Johnson got shut down by Indiana State (an FCS school). Hunter Johnson completed just 6 of 12 passes against Indiana State for a meager 51 Yards, so Hunter Johnson is not the second coming of Tom Brady yet he had his way against Harlon Barnett’s Passing Defense.
So far this season, Northwestern and Youngstown State combined to throw 75 passes and yet Barnett’s Defense has only gathered one Interception. No one is ringing the alarm bell just yet, but Harlon Barnett’s Pass Defense needs to get more aggressive..
And Harlon Barnett needs to prove the last several years have been anomalies and not the norm.
Last season, Barnett’s Pass Defense yielded an average of 239 Yards per game and ranked an uninspiring #72 in the land, yet the previous two years were even worse.
At Florida State in 2019 (where Barnett was Defensive Coordinator), his Pass Defense yielded an average of 277 Yards per game and ranked #119…and in 2018, Barnett’s Pass Defense yielded an average of 269 Yards per game and ranked #119 as well.
So, Barnett’s vulnerable Pass Defense contributed in great measure to Florida State posting “back to back” losing seasons which resulted in the entire coaching staff getting fired and that is why Harlon Barnett is back at Michigan State.
At the bottom line (Miami not as good as advertised):
Miami was ranked #14 in the preseason, yet they are currently ranked #24 after a 44-13 beatdown at the hands of Alabama in week one, as well as eking out a 25-23 victory vs App’n State just last weekend.
And while Miami is not as good as advertised, nevertheless they are still a formidable football force with an abundance of speed and athleticism. In addition, the game will be played in the sweltering heat of Miami where the game time temperature is expected to be near 90 degrees with the possibility of rain as well as the ever present stifling humidity of south Florida.
This will be a major test because Michigan State is no longer an unknown entity. Their film has been broken down and the Spartans tendencies have been well studied and charted.
It’s also notable that Miami only allowed Alabama 147 Rushing Yards on 38 attempts and Miami’s Defense got enough penetration to force 36 Yards in Tackles for Loss, so it is highly unlikely the Spartan Rushing Offense will simply line up and force its will on Miami’s Rushing Defense. So, the question becomes: who wins the Line of Scrimmage?
In my mind, if Michigan State wants to prove its capable of fighting its way back into national relevance, then this is a game whereby the Spartans need to make a statement.
Miami is still favored by 6 ½ points, yet the Spartans have more than a fair shot at winning in the sweltering heat of Miami if their “new found” Rushing Offense shows up.
We’ll see.
Thank you for reading.
