Michigan Football: Breaking down each ranked opponent for Wolverines

The Spartans

Michigan State is a joke. Instead of firing coaches for underperforming, head coach Mark Dantonio just shuffled the deck, promoting Brad Salem to OC and dropping the former OC – the unimaginative Dave Warner – to QB’s coach.

The common excuse for the 7-6 season is the injuries sustained. Only a handful of starters finished out the season, and quarterback Brian Lewerke played through a shoulder injury. Star receiver Felton Davis barely made it to October and the offensive lineman might as well have been out as they gave free rein to the Spartan backfield.

State’s claim to fame this year will be the defense. Linebacker Joe Bachie made the First-Team AP Preseason All-American team and defensive end Kenny Willekes landed on the Second Team. The interior will feature Raequan Williams, who is a 6-foot-4 300-pound run stuffer. Raequan finished 2018 being named First-team All-Big Ten by The Associated Press and named also third-team All-Big Ten.

Opposing teams averaged 77 yards on the ground against this award-winning defense, and if the defensive backs can get their act together, touchdowns will be few and far between.

Even though the Spartans finished the season one game over .500, MSU snuck into the rankings at 18th. On November 16th, the state of Michigan will see which defense is better and if Shea Patterson and Co. can overcome Joe Bachie and Co.