2022 First Glance Preview: Michigan State Spartans
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Written by: Andrew Walker
Week 11: Michigan State Spartans
Date & Time: November 19 - TBA
TV: TBD
SPARTANS AT A GLANCE
Head Coach: Mel Tucker
Entering his third season as Michigan State head coach
Overall Record: 13-7
Last Season: 11-2 (7-2)
SPARTANS RETURNING LEADERS
Passing: Payton Thorne – 235 of 389 (60.4%) 3,232 yards 27 TDs 10 INTs
Rushing: Jordon Simmons – 70 carries for 278 yards and 0 TDs
Receiving: Omar Manning – 26 catches for 380 yards and 18 TDs
Tackles: Xavier Henderson – 96 tackles (61 solo), 10 TFLs, Forced fumble
SPARTANS PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Lindy’s: 3rd in the Big Ten East
Athlon Sports: 3rd in the Big Ten East (9-3, 6-3) Reliquist Bowl Projection
Phil Steele: 4th in the Big Ten East
SP+: 16th Nationally
IMPACT NEWCOMERS FOR THE SPARTANS
Ameer Speed – DB transfer from Georgia
Germie Bernard – Freshman WR
Jack Stone – Freshman kicker
BIGGEST QUESTIONS FACING SPARTANS
1. Can the Spartans improve on an already impressive bounce back season under Mel Tucker?
2. Will the absence of Kenneth Walker III prove too much for MSU to make up for?
3. Can the Spartans finally secure a conference title this year?
Program Preview
The Michigan State Spartans have been in an interesting spot the last few seasons. The team from East Lansing always seem to have either a great season, or a completely unremarkable season back to back. Starting in 2010, the team went 11-2, 11-3, then 7-6. Not to be outdone, but that 7-6 season in 2012 was then backed up by seasons of 13-1, 11-2, 12-2. And if that wasn’t strange enough, the next season they went 3-9.
Michigan State’s inconsistency between seasons is very strange and makes it somewhat hard to predict the success of future seasons. However, this team for the 2022 season looks poised to make a big impact. Starting off at no. 14 on the preseason poll is the highest preseason ranking since 2018 – when they went 7-6. Predictions are hard.
As for the rest of the team this season, the offense will have to deal without Kenneth Walker III as their star RB, so the OL will have to pave the way for Walker’s successors and hope Jordon Simmons and QB Payton Thorne can pick up the slack.
Offensive Preview
As mentioned before the departure of Kenneth Walker III was a big blow to Michigan State’s offensive prowess. Walker’s stats the previous year were mind boggling. 263 attempts for 1636 yards and 18 touchdowns is something to behold. Doing all that on 6.2 yards per carry means that his departure takes a considerable amount of efficiency to the offense. Losing Walker III to the Seattle Seahawks will provide a hole at the RB position that a few guys will be itching to get a hold of. Jordon Simmons is one of those guys that can certainly step into his new role. 70 attempts for 278 yards on 4.0 yards per carry is not bad for the guy behind Walker III. Simmons will be a junior this upcoming season, so look for him to transition into filling that role perfectly well.
Another guy that may be able to step in at running back is Colorado transfer Jarek Broussard. He earned the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and rushed for 661 yards last season with the Buffaloes. Whether or not it turns into a position battle is yet to be seen, but regardless, Michigan State has talent at running back to shore up Walker III’s departure.
One variable that’s thankfully staying the same this season is crafty QB Payton Thorne. He’s an established guy, cool in the pocket, and can scramble to make a play when he needs to. 27 touchdown passes set a school record last year, and he’s only getting better with a more experienced offensive line.
Defensive Preview
The elephant in the room. Defense for Michigan State. Their back seven ranked dead last in the country in passing yards allowed. To make matters worse, that statistic was accentuated due to them facing three of the top five passing attacks in the country last year (WKU, Ohio State, Purdue) and two more in the top 13 (Miami, Maryland).
Georgia DB transfer Ameer Speed joins the Spartans this season hoping to bring some experience and effectiveness to the back seven. Speed’s 6’3 frame should bring some excellent coverage for other teams’ WR1. Senior safety Xavier Henderson will provide some stability to the secondary in preparation for them to most likely again face some very talented passing offenses this season.
Going up front, MSU’s front seven is quite effective. They led the Big Ten in sacks last season, but only ranked no. 11 in third-down defense. Instead of what appears to be an either top tier pass rush or completely bottom of the barrel, the Spartans are fighting for more consistency to their front seven’s performance this upcoming season.
Consistency keeps becoming an issue for the Spartans on defense. MSU ranked no. 72 in the nation in yards allowed per play and struggled to get off the field on third down, explaining their total defense ranking of only no. 111. Even more surprising, Michigan State was one of only six teams in the nation to play more than 1,000 snaps on defense last season. Along with Tennessee, MSU was the only other Power 5 team to accomplish that feat.
Special Teams Preview
Punting will continue to be no problem for the Spartans. Bryce Baringer led the Big Ten in punting last season, averaging 48.4 yards per punt. However, placekicker is a major question mark for the Spartans. True freshman Jack Stone out of Dallas will carry the load this season, most likely regardless of how he performs in camp. As for returners, Jayden Reed will be the guy. Also a 1,000 yard receiver, Reed averages nearly 20 yards per punt return and took two back for touchdowns in 2021.