Storyline: MSU Spartan football has come a long way under Mark Dantonio. What will it take to succeed at the next, and ultimate, level? Written by Bill Rizzo, Madison, WI
Michigan State gained lofty status in major college football this season, winning the Big Ten Championship and advancing to the College Football Playoff. But a resounding semi-final shutout at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide, 38-0, shows the Spartans still have work to do.
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What will it take to achieve the next, and ultimate, level? Here is my list of objectives.
A top-notch pass rush makes a good-but-not-great defensive backfield look great. The reverse is true, too. And you need both to be an elite team. The Spartan’s OL is the biggest concern, by far, given the departure of notable seniors. As competent as was the OL at season’s end (and at other times when starters were healthy), the Spartans need to maintain that performance level AND recruit and/or develop one or two road-graders–in the Tony Mandarich mold–so that they can take the running game to the next level.
MSU needs a QB who’s a bigger threat to run. Connor Cook was a very good pro-style, drop-back passer, but his running didn’t scare anyone. A pass-run option is a great way to keep defenses honest and slow elite pass rushers.
The Spartans need a better overall WR corps. They need guys with more overall speed and the ability to separate to make big plays. The receivers were good this year, not great, and certainly not elite.
MSU football needs an Offensive Coordinator. Note the singular reference, meaning … jettison the two-headed approach to coordinators. The guys in place now are good, but they aren’t elite. The MSU coordinator who that was– Pat Narduzzi, DC – was good enough to move on as Pitt’s head coach. You’re not seeing that with the current coordinators.
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Mark Dantanio needs to be more cold–blooded in making personnel decisions. He’s loyal to his coordinators, but perhaps to a fault. His was the right choice to elevate the MSU brand and pursue elite status, but with that option comes more responsibility. He has to have elite coaches and coordinators. There’s simply no way around that.
