Saturday’s loss at Seattle was a national embarrassment in prime time and it doesn’t bode well for the future!
Let’s remember the Spartans Pass Defense was ranked #130 last season when measured against 130 D-1/FBS schools by way of yielding an eye glazing 325 Yards per game including 27 Touchdowns.
Yet, Mel Tucker took over as Cornerback Coach and promised to “fix” the Pass Defense, but Washington proved the Pass Defense isn’t “fixed” by any measure.
It’s notable, in just one game at Seattle, playing a legitimate Power 5 school, the Spartans Pass Defense was guilty of busted plays, blown assignments and wide receivers running free all day long.
In its first legitimate test against a Power 5 school, the Spartans yielded an eye glazing 397 Passing Yards including 4 TDs (zero takeaway Interceptions) and lost 39-28.
From another measurement, Washington completed 60% of its Passes for nearly 17 Yards per completion.
So, don’t let the final score disguise the issue because this game was NEVER in doubt.
To open the game, it only took Washington 3:43 to go 77 yards in 7 plays and post a 7-0 lead. Washington then took a commanding 22-0 lead mid-way through the 2nd qtr, scored on 5 of its first 6 possessions, and the game was essentially over by halftime.
Moreover, the game transcended shameful, because Washington posted a dismal record of 4-8 last season with an Offense that ranked #114 in the land when measured against 130 D-1/FBS Schools.
Yet, a coaching change and a new Quarterback changed their fortunes.
Under Kalen DeBoer (Washington first-year head coach), and Michael Penix Jr (a Quarterback transfer from Indiana) Washington quickly analyzed, dissected, and dismantled the Spartans commencing from the opening Kick.
In fact, Penix compiled 278 Yards Passing and 3 TDs in 1st Half alone.
There are other problems; has anyone seen the Spartan Rushing Offense?
We were promised that Chris Kapilovic (Offensive Line Coach and Running Back Coordinator) had an abundance of experience coaching Offensive Lines, but let’s be honest, he has yet to demonstrate his expertise at Michigan State.
While the Rushing Offense had a measure of success last year, let’s not forget it was the Kenneth Walker III show.
Play upon play last season, KWIII bailed out his Offensive Line with positive rushing yards or said another way, KWIII compiled the most Rushing Yards in the land after contact.
Yet, after just one season KWIII is gone and last Saturday, the Spartan Rushing Offense was a dismal embarrassment.
- Berger: 27 Net Yards Rushing at 2.08 Yards per attempt
- Broussard: 3 Net Yards Rushing at 0.75 Yards per attempt
- Collins: 1 Net Yard Rushing at 1.0 Yard per attempt
- Total: 31 Net Yards Rushing at 1.72 Yards per attempt
If we add in Payton Thorne’s rushing attempts, the Spartans in total compiled just 42 meager Net Yards! Rushing!!
It’s fair to be critical of the Running Backs, yet it is more proper to put the blame upon an Offensive Line Coach who has yet to demonstrate he has the wherewithal to build a Championship caliber Offensive Line.
Washington sealed all rushing gaps and Chris Kapilovic had no answers.
it would be fair to say two victories against mediocre to bad MAC teams this season masked an abundance of problems and Chris Kapilovic has yet to prove he has the wherewithal to build a Championship caliber Offensive Line.
More problems await and now comes Minnesota:
In years gone by, Minnesota brought with it a plodding, dull Offense complemented by a Defense that stayed in each game long enough to lose.
Yet, those days are gone and welcome to 2022.
Minnesota will bring to Spartan Stadium the #1 Offense in the Big Ten, coupled with the #1 Defense in the Big Ten.
Minnesota is averaging an eye glazing 555 Yards of Total Offense, coupled with a Defense that yields just 170 Yards per game which translates to a positive differential of 385 Yards per game.
Moreover, Minnesota is averaging 50 PPG while yielding just 6 PPG.
We should also note, Minnesota beat down of Colorado last weekend 49-7, completing 72% of its passes, for a whopping 618 Yards and 4 TDs.
In years gone by, Minnesota would come to Spartan Stadium hoping for respect, hoping to stay close, but now they come to Spartan Stadium with their eyes upon winning the Big Ten West.
The Spartans better be ready!
At the bottom line, it’s time for the Spartans to prove they can correct course…and fast:
Did the Spartans catch lightning in a bottle last year?
There are an abundance of catch phrases surrounding Spartan Football such as “relentless” …”it’s all about the ball”…”it’s all about our culture”…and ”keep choppin’ wood”…but let’s make this distinction, catch phrases won’t overcome blown assignments or an inability to control the Line of Scrimmage.
Minnesota comes to Spartan Stadium believing it has the goods to win the Big Ten West and the Spartans stand in their way as Big Ten roadblock not vice versa.
After an embarrassing loss to Washington, what are the Spartans revised expectations for 2022?
Can Mel Tucker “fix” his dysfunctional Pass Defense?
Can Chris Kapilovic demonstrate he has the wherewithal to build a Championship caliber Offensive Line?
Hopefully, they can, and hopefully they will, if not, a long, long season awaits.
Thank you for reading and I always welcome your comments and opinions.
