2023 First Glance Preview: Week 12 Michigan State Spartans
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Written by: Sammy Jacobs
Week Twelve: Michigan State Spartans
Date & Time: Saturday, November 18 at TBA
Venue: Memorial Stadium
TV: TBA
Spartans at a Glance
Head Coach: Mel Tucker
Entering his third season at Michigan State’s
Record at Michigan State: 18-14
Overall Record: 23-21
Last Season: 5-7 (3-6)
Spartans Returning Leaders
Passing: Noah Kim– 14 for 19 (73.6%) for 174 yards with three TDs and no INTs
Rushing: Jalen Burger – 148 carries for 683 yards (4.6 yards per carry) with six TDs
Receiving: Tre Mosely – 35 catches for 359 yards with four TDs
Tackles: Cal Haladay – 120 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss
Spartans Preseason Predictions
Athlon: 5th in the Big Ten East
Lindy’s: 5th in the Big Ten East
Phil Steele: 5th in the Big Ten East
SP+: 47th Nationally
Impact Newcomers for the Spartans
Nathan Carter, RB transfer from UConn
Keyshawn Blackstock, OL, Coffeyville C.C.
Tyneil Hopper, TE, Boise State
Program Preview
Which Michigan State team will show up in 2023? The Cotton Bowl Champion 2021 squad who also beat Michigan or the 5-7 Spartan squad that failed to make a bowl? It’s anyone’s guess.
Michigan State had a rough offseason as they lost their best returning wide receiver to Florida State and Payton Thorne, who started the last two seasons at quarterback, to Auburn.
Noah Kim will likely be the starting quarterback and Jalen Berger is a very solid running back. Bu there are questions at offensive line and wide receiver that will determine how the season goes.
The Spartans built their 2010’s success on defense, but that has changed as MSU ranked 100th in total defense and 75th in scoring defense.
Offensive Preview
The Spartans offense took a nose dive without Kenneth Walker in 2022 as they fell to 90th in scoring (38th in ‘21), 110th in rushing (53rd in ’21) and 96th in total offense (42nd in ’21). That was a major reason why the Spartans stumbled to a 5-7 record and losing seven of the final 10 games of the season.
Noah Kim looks to take over the quarterback position after multi-year starter Payton Thorne left for Auburn after spring practice. Kim has played limited snaps with the Spartans but finished completing 14-of-19 passes for 174 yards and three scores last season. Like Thorne, he is a threat with his feet. If Kim struggles, Katin Houser could be pushed into action. Houser was a prize recruit in 2022 and has not seen any game action.
The Spartans lose their top two receivers from 2022 in Jalen Reed (NFL) and Keion Coleman (Florida State). For an attack that ranked 57th nationally, losing three key pieces is not a good sign for improvement. Senior Tre Mosely is back and could fill that top receiver spot. Outside of Mosely the Spartans have some talent, however it is unproven. The names to watch at the receiver position are Antonio Gates Jr., Jaron Glover and Tyrell Henry.
Michigan State brings in Boise State transfer Tynell Hopper to back up tight end Maliq Carr who looks the part but has not produced like one would think.
The Spartans have a veteran laden offensive line that struggled, but still was in the middle or top half of the Big Ten in sacks and tackles for loss allowed. They return three starters and bring in the top JUCO offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock. If the offensive line could play up to their potential, it could be a strong unit on which to build an offense around.
Defensive Preview
What was once the foundation of Spartan success has eroded. The Michigan State defense was awful in 2022 and 2023 could be better if players stay healthy. The strength of the defense will be linebackers Cal Haladay and Jacoby Windmon. Haladay made 120 tackles last year with 11 coming for loss while Windmon added 10.5 tackles for loss.
On the defensive line the Spartans return just one starter in defensive tackle Simeon Barrow who had four sacks. MSU will break in three new starters on the line with sophomores Zion Young and Tunmise Adeleye at defensive ends and junior Derrick Harmon at the other defensive tackle position.
On the back end, which was Michigan State’s best position group in 2022, the Spartans break in three new starters. Cornerback Charles Brantley is the most experience defensive back and nickelback Angelo Grose will play a big role. A trio of sophomores fill out the rest of the secondary in corner Dillon Tatum and safeties Malik Spencer and Jaden Mangham. While the Spartans did not give up as many yards, they only had two interceptions all year in 2022.
Special Teams Preview
Special teams sunk Michigan State last season against IU. They allowed a kickoff return touchdown to Jaylin Lucas and missed a chip shot field goal that would have won the game and had another blocked in overtime.
This season Michigan State will have to replace punter Bryce Baringer who was a sixth-round NFL draft pick. Freshman Ryan Eckley should win the job. Place kicker Stephen Rusnak has not kicked a field goal in college, which means he hasn’t missed one. While it is a big question mark, having a better field goal unit may not be a high bar to clear.
Tyrell Henry should assume the return duties for NFL bound Jayden Reed.
2023 First Glance Previews