Some personal observations after three games

Last year MSU won a couple close nail-biter type games by making plays in the final moments (Iowa, Wisconsin). So far this year the shoe has been on the other foot against CMU and ND. The ball hasn’t bounced in their favor in the final moments resulting in painful loses. Until this group of players learns to come through in these crucial moments to close out games they will likely be on the short end in close games.

Hate to sound like a media parrot, but Kirk Cousins has earned the starting quarterback roll for this team. Aside from his poor decision on MSU’s last play, he showed poise and leadership for most of the game. Cousins has continued to impress with his accuracy and properly going through his progressions to find the open receiver.

Larry Caper has also earned the starting running back position. He is doing all the little things that are important for a running back to do in this system when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. His blocking has been solid and he definitely appears to be a stronger runner between the tackles. It was a shame that Cousins over threw him in the endzone, as he ran his route correctly and was totally missed by the Notre Dame defense.

The offensive line of Cironi, Foreman, Stipek, Moss and Young appears to be the best combination used so far this year. Having a viable starting five going forward from here on out will be imparative if MSU is to more effective running the ball. Stipek has performed admirably in Nitchman’s absence, and is providing MSU with two dependable candiates. Ethan Ruhland also did a very good job in stepping in for Foreman after he left the game with a sprained ankle. Ruhland provided a nice block on Caper’s seven yard touchdown run.

The defense, especially the secondary struggle with playing in space and are horrible at wrapping up and making the tackle in one-on-one situations. The secondary, once thought to be a team strength has been pedestrian at best. The group as a whole has not played the ball well, and have been repeatedly burned on deep passes. The play of this group has been the most disappointing performance so far this year.

This team has very little wiggle room from here on out if they are to post a winning record. With Wisconsin, Illinois, Northwestern, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Purdue and Penn State left on the schedule it is difficult to find six wins based on the teams first three performances. Sadly, it has not been the loss of Hoyer and Ringer, but possibly that of Otis Wiley that has had the greatest impact on this team. Though the defense was not steller last year, Wiley was responsible for making the proper assignment calls for the secondary. With the breakdowns in the seconday one might begin to question if Hyde, Fortner or Robinson have the proper grasp of making these calls. The poor performance of what was supposed to be a strength, the defense, and the secondary in particular, has been the Spartans Achilles heel.