A Vikings Fan’s Viewing Guide to CFB: Michigan State Must Improve Its Defense in 2022
Josh Frey
|
Just like the NFL season is fast approaching, we are nearing the day where college football teams will arrive on campus and begin their own preseason work. As a self-proclaimed NFL Draft nerd, I get almost as excited for the college football season as I do for the NFL season. Because of that, I am putting together guides for many of the notable college football programs ahead of the 2022 season. Whether you’re a seasoned college football viewer, or just getting into it for the first time, there is something here for everyone.
We’ve already gone through many of the major contenders in the AAC, and we are now finished up in the ACC. Then, yesterday we began the Big 10 conference with a look at the Michigan Wolverines. Today, we stay in the state of Michigan, and take a look at the Michigan State Spartans.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”1057216″ player=”26281″ title=”WATCH%205%20NFL%20rookies%20who%20could%20surprise%20in%202022″ duration=”157″ description=”NFL rookies are reporting for their first training camp as the preparation for the 2022 season kicks into high gear. While the 2022 NFL Draft class might not deliver the first-year superstars we saw in 2021, there should be plenty of rookies making an impact in 2022.” uploaddate=”2022-07-20″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/snapshot/1057152_sd_1658336528.jpg” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/1057152/1057152.m3u8″ width=”16″ height=”9″]
Overview
2021 went about as well as it possibly could have for the Michigan State Spartans. Their 11-2 record landed them at No. 9 in the postseason rankings, their best such ranking since 2015. They may have taken a pounding from Ohio State with a 56-7 loss, but the victory over Pitt in the Peach Bowl made 2021 an overwhelming success. With another year out of Payton Thorne, the Spartans will look to continue their run into 2022.
2022 NFL Draft Prospects
- RB Kenneth Walker III, Round 2, No. 41, Seattle Seahawks
- WR Jalen Nailor, Round 6, No. 191, Minnesota Vikings
- FB Connor Hayward, Round 6, No. 208, Pittsburgh Steelers
- OT AJ Arcuri, Round 7, No. 261, Los Angeles Rams
Notable Transfers In
- RB Jalen Berger (Wisconsin)
- RB Jarek Broussard (Colorado)
- TE Daniel Barker (Illinois)
- CB Ameer Speed (Georgia)
- LB Aaron Brule (Mississippi State)
- LB Jacoby Windmon (UNLV)
- EDGE Khris Bogle (Florida)
Notable Transfers Out
- IOL James Ohonba (Louisiana)
- WR Ricky White (UNLV)
- S Michael Dowell (Miami [OH])
2022 Schedule
- 9/2 vs. Western Michigan
- 9/10 vs. Akron
- 9/17 @ Washington
- 9/24 vs. Minnesota
- 10/1 @ Maryland
- 10/8 vs. Ohio State
- 10/15 vs. Wisconsin
- 10/29 @ Michigan
- 11/5 @ Illinois
- 11/12 vs. Rutgers
- 11/19 vs. Indiana
- 11/26 @ Penn State
Keys to 2022
Replacing Kenneth Walker
The Spartans got a big year out of their QB position last season, but by-and-large, the majority of their offensive success was in the legs of Kenneth Walker III. He put together an outstanding season, piling up 1636 yards at a clip of 6.2 yards per carry as well as 18 touchdowns.
Walker is now a Seahawk though, and Thorne will likely have to carry even more of the load for the Spartans to repeat their success in 2022. He does retain receiver Jayden Reed for another year, but the Spartans need to get some production out of their new RBs. They are bringing in a pair of talented running backs through the transfer portal. Jalen Berger had a few good moments at Wisconsin before he entered the transfer portal last October, and Jarek Broussard tallied over 1500 yards for Colorado in his first two seasons.
Don’t Rank Last in Passing Yards Allowed
It’s pretty simple. If Michigan State doesn’t want to get embarrassed by CJ Stroud and Ohio State once again this year, their secondary needs to be much tighter. Last year, Stroud put up 432 passing yards and six touchdowns through the air on the Spartan defense.
The program is hoping that Georgia transfer Ameer Speed will help do that. The cornerback is long and, as his name suggests, he is quick enough to hang with most receivers. The biggest concern is at the safety position. While senior Xavier Hutchinson was consistent enough in 2021, they will need junior Angelo Grose to step up this year.
Finally, the Spartans need a much more consistent pass rush than they had in 2021. Look for Florida transfer Khris Bogle to be a big part of their defensive scheme in the front seven.
My “Purple Player to Watch”
Wouldn’t it be ironic for the Minnesota Vikings to go from one Spartan QB to another? Kirk Cousins was of course a Michigan State Spartan from 2008-11, passing for 9131 yards and 66 touchdowns over the course of career.
Payton Thorne was similarly productive in his first year as a starter, passing for 3232 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, Thorne adds an extra element of mobility that is almost crucial for a QB to have success in the NFL. He rushed for 181 yards and four touchdowns in 2021. He also had a knack for coming up with big plays in the clutch like this one against Penn State:
The Vikings quarterback need is not dire yet, but especially if Kellen Mond does not gain the trust of his new coaching staff this preseason, it may be time to start looking for the eventual Cousins replacement in 2023. Thorne could be a guy to keep an eye on if he has another successful campaign.
