The Spartans Offense continues to impress and it’s hard to wrap ones head around the incredible improvement since last season.
The Spartans are 3-0 including road victories at Northwestern and Miami, and while Miami is not as good as advertised when they were ranked #14 in the preseason, nevertheless they are still a formidable football force, and yet the Spartans managed to beat Miami 38-17 in sweltering conditions highlighted by outscoring Miami 21-3 in the 4th Qtr.
On their way to a road victory in Miami, the Spartans piled up 193 Yards Rushing and 261 Yards Passing for an impressive 454 Yards
So after 3 games, the Spartans Offense ranks in the Top 15 in terms of Rushing Offense (264 Yards per game) and Total Offense (520 Yards per game) while averaging 39 Points. Those are Championship caliber stats.
And when we compare the Spartans current Offensive production in 2021 to College Football Playoff teams in 2019 (and 2019 is a meaningful measurement because it was the last full year of football prior to Covid), then we see the Spartans Offense measures favorably with 520 Yards of Total Offense.
Immediately below are 2019 CFP teams and their Total Offensive production when each was ranked within the Top 5 in terms of Total Offensive production:
- LSU: 568 Yards
- Oklahoma: 538 Yards
- Ohio State: 530 Yards
- Clemson: 529 Yards
We can also note, when measured amongst Big Ten teams this season, the Spartans currently rank #2 in Total Offense and #3 in Rushing Offense.
So after 3 games in 2021, by various measurements, the Spartans Offense is compiling championship caliber stats, including the fact they are incredibly balanced between run and pass.
Now comes Nebraska:
These Cornhuskers are not the legendary National Championship ‘Huskers of Bob Devaney era.
Nor are they the National Championship ‘Huskers of Tom Osborne era, but they are still the ‘Huskers and they have an abundance of athletes and a championship history that precedes them.
Although Nebraska has posted an unremarkable 2-2 won/lost record this season, I would suggest throwing out their first three games and concentrate on Nebraska’s most recent game whereby they narrowly lost 23-16 to Oklahoma on the road.
Oklahoma has always been a formidable and high powered Offensive machine, including its recent history under Bob Stoops and now Lincoln Riley, and this year is no exception. Oklahoma is currently averaging nearly 500 Yards of Total Offense per game and more than 45 Points per game, and yet Nebraska limited Oklahoma to just 400 Yards of Total Offense including just 7 points in the 4th Qtr.
Nebraska didn’t shut down Oklahoma, but they slowed them down immeasurably, and if they had a bit of good luck, the ‘Huskers had a chance to hang a “W”.
So, heading into Saturday night’s game, Nebraska has broken down all the film on the Spartans Offensive success story, and they will especially focus upon the Miami film whereby Miami caused an abundance of blocking problems for the Spartans Offensive Line. As you recall, Miami Defense imposed 3 Quarterback Sack’s and 8 Tackles for loss upon the Spartans.
It is highly unlikely Nebraska will totally stop the Spartans Offense on Saturday night, but can they cause enough mayhem to take the Spartans out of rhythm?
At the bottom line (Spartan Pass Defense is the new Achilles Heel):
I have pointed out several times that Harlon Barnett’s Passing units have struggled mightily since he left Michigan State for Florida State in 2018.
Of course, at Florida State his Passing Defenses ranked a miserable #119 in 2018 and 2019 respectively as Florida State posted “back to back” losing season. And we can note that statistically things aren’t getting better for Harlon Barnett’s Passing Defense…and that’s a concern.
This season, the Spartans Pass Defense is ranked a woeful #107 yielding an extraordinary 270 Yards per game (269.3 to be exact). In fact the Spartans Pass Defense yielded an “eye glazing” 388 Yards to Miami via the air, including 2 Touchdowns. Of course, yielding nearly 300 Passing Yards per game hasn’t cost the Spartans so far, but yielding 388 Passing Yards as they did at Miami is usually a recipe for a loss.
Harlon Barnett’s Passing Defense will get a major Big Ten test on Saturday night
And while Nebraska isn’t considered a quintessential, hi octane Passing Offense, nevertheless Nebraska is averaging an impressive 280 Yards Passing and of course they posted an impressive 289 Yards at Oklahoma.
So Harlon Barnett needs to step up his game because opposing Defensive Coordinators are prepared to pick on his Pass Defense which is perceived as “soft”.
Yet road wins are tough to come by, and a night game at Spartan Stadium will be an unwelcome environment for Nebraska, so the Spartans should prevail and hang a “W”. We’ll see…
Thank you for reading.
