College Football Predictions – Michigan St Spartans 2020 College Football Preview
JULY 2020
OCTOBER 2020 – Schedule notes updated.
2019 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 4-9
“We’re going streaking!”. <Frank the Tank> <Old School> <Circa 2003>
The Spartans got off to a hot start winning four of their first five games, and their only loss during that span was a heartbreaking home defeat vs Arizona St (L 10-7). Things then took an unfortunate turn to TURD TOWN as Sparty dropped their next five games in a row. A bowl appearance seemed like an impossibility but they beat Rutgers and Maryland to end the regular season to earn a date vs Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl. They took down the Demon Deacons 27-21 and head into 2020 on a three-game winning streak.
Let’s see what new HC Mel Tucker has to work with in 2020.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – TBD
Big 10 – TBD
Michigan St Spartans 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Spartans’ offense has been a DROOLING MESS in each of the past two seasons. Last year they were #12 in the Big Ten in scoring offense (22.4) and #13 in rushing offense (127 YPG). There will almost certainly be more struggles ahead for Sparty given the departure of QB Brian Lewerke (3,073, 17-13 TD to INT, 3 rushing TD LY) and the suspect QB pool that remains. Backup Rocky Lombardi hasn’t looked great when given his shot and there’s basically no experience at this critical position. Maybe redshirt freshman Patyon Thorne emerges as a surprise talent? It’s hard to say at this point. More problems for the THROW GAME. There’s a complete reload at WR with the departure of their top-two WRs (Cody White, Darrell Stewart Jr.) who combined for over 1,600 receiving yards LY (10 TDs) and recall that they were the only two WRs to bag over 250 receiving yards in 2019. Their #3 pass catcher TE Matt Seybert. It’s unclear what weapons they will have at WR and TE but there’s promise with Western Michigan transfer Jayden Reed who had a fine freshman season in 2018 (797, 8 TD). The best news on offense is the return of almost 1,000-yard rusher Elijah Collins (988, 5 TD LY) and a host of starters on the offensive line.
We’ll call for another sluggish year on offense. It’s impossible to think otherwise until we see what they have at QB. <grabs popcorn>
DEFENSE
The Spartans played good defense last year but weren’t the brick wall that they were in 2018. They finished essentially mid-pack in the conference in many of the major defensive statistical categories. They allowed 22.5 PPG and 322 YPG (both #6 Big Ten), they were stout vs the run, and disappointing vs the pass. New DC Scottie Hazelton (Kansas St) only has three returning starters to work with and will be without the majority of last season’s top-10 tacklers. The losses are big up front with the departure of star DE Kenny Willekes to the NFL (Vikings; team-high 10.5 sacks LY) and DT Raequan Williams. Jacub Panasiuk is the lone returning starters from last season’s DL (5 sacks). LB Antjuan Simmons is the best returning player in the stop unit who led the team in tackles LY and he knows how to fill up the stat sheet across the board. Safety Xavier Henderson is a good piece to build around but they need to do a better job on the back end this year. They were #10 in the Big Ten in pass efficiency D LY (60%, 24-12 TD to INT).
This has the feel of an average Big Ten defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Meh. PK Matt Coghlin was inconsistent last year, particularly from long range (22/32 FG, 8-14 from 40+). The Spartans were mediocre across the board LY when it came to returning punts, kickoffs, and punting.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The scamdemic schedule sees them drawing Iowa (A) and Northwestern (H) from the West division. They take on Michigan in their 2nd game. Their final two contests are nasty (Ohio St, at Penn St).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Iowa (Nov 7th)
Iowa is a tough place to play and this may be a letdown spot after their rivalry game with Michigan.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Kudos to former HC Mark Dantonio who did a fantastic job at Michigan St. He finished with an overall record of 114-57 (.667) over 13 seasons and led the Spartans to three Big Ten Championships.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
It’ll be weird to watch the Spartans take the field without their legendary head coach, but the show must go on. It’ll be interesting to see what Mel Tucker can do. He certainly has the smarts, intensity, and proven winning pedigree. The roster has too many question marks on both sides of the ball so we’ll call for a .500ISH season.
Want more Michigan St football ?
WEBSITE
https://msuspartans.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://michiganstate.247sports.com/Board/Michigan-State-Spartans-Message-Board-Forum-93
https://michiganstate.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-underground-bunker.18/
NEWS
http://www.freep.com/sports/spartans/
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/sports/green-white/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/127/michigan-state-spartans
TWITTER
Hashtag – #GoGreen, #RELENTLESS
Accounts to follow
https://twitter.com/MSU_Football