Well, it was not exactly a beauuuutiful day for football. With rain and a hostile environment, the Spartans faced the #3 ranked team in the country as nearly 30 point dogs. Nobody, except maybe the team themselves, thought MSU had a chance. While this game had its fair share of clouds, it did give us a glimpse at perhaps a rising sun of the future. With that said, let’s dive right in.
Sun #1
Sun one for me is going to OC Nick Sheridan. Sheridan actually called a really good game. How nice is it to see some
creativity on offense, especially inside the 10? I think what may even more exciting is the confidence he has in the QB room and with the team. I also don’t think we’ve even seen the surface of what may be called. Alessio throwing to Fancher, Fancher rolling out on the field inside the 10, just creativity. Not the same fade to the end zone corner that it seemed like we saw the last few years. I think this helps recruiting, I think this opens up some for some fun surprises as the season progresses. I know State only had 10 points but, ND defense is solid. Outstanding secondary, and there were many times where MSU shot themselves in the foot with mistakes.
Sun #2
My second sun is going to the defensive response. Yes, they gave up big plays and we will get to that later, but they held their own. Their response after turnovers gives confidence. After a surgical 10 minute drive in the third, they managed to hold the Irish to 3 points. As Coach Fitzgerald said, they got beat 1 on1 and missed some fundamentals. Jordan Hall coming back and obviously not 100% and giving the effort and leadership out there helps set that tone. This defense needs work, but they held Notre Dame to their lowest point total of the year and a big chance of those points came late. They gave the team a fighting chance and who out there thought this would have been possible? I didn’t, I took the Irish to cover. Glad I was wrong.
Sun #3
This one piggy backs a bit on the defensive response but my third sun goes to the teams fight. This team didn’t give up. Did they play 4 solid quarters? No. They didn’t quit though. Last year’s team, would have quit. Walking off the field, they were sad, angry, and looked vengeful. This team is going to have an identity when this season is finished which is more than we could say in the Smith Era. I was happy to hear Coach say he was “pissed” after the defeat. There is a quality that is being developed and nurtured. A culture that this University has been lacking in football. It has potential. The right recruits, a bit of time, and MSU may just not be predicted in the bottom three of the conference anymore.
Bonus Sun
It is necessary to say this one goes to the running backs for picking up some blocks in the gaps that likely saved Alessio’s life. I can think of two in particular that the backs jumped in and took that freight train and bought their QB a chance.
Cloud #1
Cloud one goes to the big play. This team needs to shut down the big play and the 1 on 1 beating. The secondary needs to lock down their coverage more consistently. The PI calls were frustrating, especially after a pick, but I am not mad at the physicality. The backs need to turn around more and follow the ball. They need to not give the step and get burned on the first move. Irish receivers may be better athletes, but they still need to lock down those 15 plus yard receptions.
Cloud #2
Cloud two is going to the sloppy play. The defense in particular missed tackles. They had moments they couldn’t follow through with their tackles and Irish players got extra yards and extended plays. The pass interference calls sucked the life out the team, especially on a pick with a decent return. Two turnovers didn’t help the slop situation any either. Oh, and let’s not forget the partially blocked punt. All of those mistakes are something Fitz was fired up about postgame and I can’t blame him. The response is all that matters now. Can you clean this up before Nebraska and play a solid and cohesive four quarters?
Cloud #3
My last cloud has to be the inability to get off the field on third downs. It definitely felt like if the defense could have shut it down a few times and forced some punts this game may have been closer. I do think Notre Dame eventually just wore MSU out. There were just so many missed opportunities to force punts. The 10 minute third quarter drive was the nail in the coffin. So many converted third downs and a defense that was getting gassed. MSU needs to figure out what happened there and how to fix it. It didn’t feel like a huge schematic issue. It just felt like missed opportunities.
MSU fell short in South Bend but I think this team will be looking forward to the Irish coming to East Lansing next year. I also think this game gave the Spartans some confidence, some actual game confidence that if they play to their potential, fix mistakes, and capitalize when the opportunity arises they can hang. This team will beat a team this year that it isn’t supposed to. I didn’t feel that way before the season, but after this game I will make that updated prediction. It is weird to leave a game having lost by 17 and have some optimism.
Nebraska comes to East Lansing next week and it is a must win for a team that wants a bowl bid. I am curious to see how they come out and fight. What do you think TOC Nation? Give me your suns and clouds in the comments, you know I have to leave some out for all of you. One last shout out to Notre Dame and the way they took care of the media. It was a great experience and if you love college football, like we all do, getting on that field and its history was pretty cool. Go Green!
