Michigan State wasn’t expected to be a contender for the Big Ten title this year, yet the Spartans could be just one big win away from punching their ticket to the conference championship game.
Coming off a 3-9 season in 2016, the Spartans have bounced back in a big way in 2017, winning seven of their first nine games this year. The Spartans are currently ranked 12th in the College Football Playoff standings – one spot ahead of Ohio State – and are currently tied with the Buckeyes atop the Big Ten East standings, with identical 7-2 overall and 5-1 conference records, entering Saturday’s game between the two teams at Ohio Stadium.
How have the Spartans made such a strong turnaround, and how big of a challenge will they present for the Buckeyes this week?
We seek answers to those questions and more from Graham Couch, who has covered Michigan State since 2012 and is currently the sports columnist for the Lansing State Journal, in this week’s edition of Across the Field.
Q: After going just 3-9 last season, Michigan State is 7-2 this season and tied for the Big Ten East lead with three weeks to go in the regular season. What has enabled the Spartans to turn things around so quickly?
Couch: There are a number of factors. One being that I don't think MSU fell as far as it appeared as a program. In other words, it was an awful season for them, but the foundation of young players was pretty solid. That's showing to be true, with MSU starting 10 sophomores and playing 20 freshmen, including 13 true freshmen.
Quarterback Brian Lewerke and his young group of receivers have been really good ahead of schedule. Lewerke, in short time, might be a special quarterback. Quarterback play crippled MSU last year offensively.
But what's allowed MSU to flip the script so quickly, more than anything else, is its defense. I thought this group would really struggle this year. Instead, it has the third-best run defense in the country and 22 sacks, after just 11 all of last year.
Q: Michigan State has typically been known for being a ground-and-pound offense rather than an aerial attack, but the Spartans have now thrown for 400-plus yards in back-to-back games. How much has the Spartans' offense changed with the development of quarterback Brian Lewerke?
Couch: It's a combination of Lewerke's development and the coaches beginning to understand that this young offensive line can pass protect, but it struggles to push people around. Lewerke's arm, legs and decision-making is MSU's best chance at consistent offense.
It might have happened earlier in the season, but MSU played a number bad-weather games, especially at Michigan and Minnesota, which limited the approach.
Q: The Spartans have held five of their last six opponents under 100 rushing yards and currently rank third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing defense. What makes them so difficult to run the ball against?
Couch: They've been really good up the middle and, at the second level and outside, at tackling in space. But Raequan Williams and Mike Panasiuk – two young defensive tackles – and sophomore middle linebacker Joe Bachie have had all-conference type seasons.
Defensive tackle Raequan Williams has been a key player on Michigan State's run defense. Mike Carter – USA TODAY Sports
Q: Outside of Lewerke, who are some of this year's other breakout players – or potentially under-the-radar players – that Ohio State and its fans should be aware of entering this game?
Couch: Offensively, MSU's four wideouts – junior Felton Davis, sophomore Darrell Stewart and true freshmen Cody White and Hunter Rison – have been terrific, given they had a combined 12 catches entering this season, all by Davis. Davis had that many just last week. White and Rison are sons of NFL players, and it shows in their acumen. MSU runs a pro-style offense that often isn't kind to young wideouts.
Defensively, beyond the tackles and middle linebackers I mentioned, MSU's two young cornerbacks – both Ohio guys, Justin Layne and Josiah Scott – have really held up.
Q: What are the Spartans' biggest areas of concern, or things they might need to shore up in practice, entering this game?
Couch: MSU struggles to run the football. That's the biggest one. The Spartans have good backs – LJ Scott obviously is a heckuva player – but just no push. That's probably not going to change this week.
Q: What are the keys to winning this game for the Spartans?
Couch: Getting to J.T. Barrett is one. He, more than other quarterbacks I see, drops off significantly when there's pressure. He was brilliant in 2014 at Spartan Stadium. He hasn't been very good in the last two meetings.
Limiting the run. Ohio State is the best rushing offense MSU has seen since Notre Dame. If MSU doesn't continue its staunch ways against the run, this game could get ugly.
Brian Lewerke. He was incredible last week. In previous games, he's been really good early and late but the offense has had lulls. Last week, though, he was consistent and prolific. That version of give MSU a shot in most games.
For more of Couch's thoughts entering Saturday's game, check out his "5 Factors and a Prediction" at the Lansing State Journal's website.
