Mid-season review of Michigan State football

With an upset 21-17 win at Penn State last week, Michigan State is now in mid-season.

Here are the mid-season notes for No. 24 Spartans (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten), which host Michigan No. 6 on Saturday:

The Brian Allen Center was the only Michigan State star lost in last year's attack and the group returned with high expectations that were not met.

The mark went from 24.5 points per game last season to 26.2 this year, but the Spartans were held at 21 points or less in three of the six games and often struggled to take advantage of their chances. There have been improvements in pass yards and total attack, but the running game has gone down and quarterback Brian Lewerke has too many turnovers.

Injuries have claimed victims and Dave Warner's call has sometimes been debatable. If the state of Michigan is to enter the second half of the season and compete for the Big Ten title, he will likely need his offense to show his growth. Grade: D

Now in his second season as a full-time starter, Lewerke has not made the leap this year. Its numbers are down, but this is not a surprise given that the state of Michigan must protect it from excessive attack during the season. So he focused on this year looking for open receivers. to be so quick to scramble.

Lewerke completed 60.0% of his passes (135 vs. 225) for 1,587 yards and eight touchdowns, but also had nine turnovers with seven interceptions and two fumbles. That happened after he made 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions all last season.

Did Lewerke try to do too much sometimes? Yes. Is he better than what he showed this season? Yes. However, he did not help much due to a hasty anemic attack, the offensive line experienced difficulties and the receiver body was injured. Grade: C–

Starter LJ Scott has not played since his coach Mark Dantonio said he was an ankle injury in the Sept. 8 loss to Arizona State. He has not traveled with the team to Penn State and we do not know when he will come back.

In the absence of Scott, the state of Michigan has opted for a recurring approach, relying primarily on Connom Heyward, a sophomore, and on the real freshman, La & ### Darius Jefferson, while Weston Bridges and Alante Thomas were also used. Combined, the halfbacks average 3.7 yards per race.

The absence of Scott was a problem and the offensive line did not always generate a push. However, the production simply was not enough. Michigan State ranks 114th out of 129 teams in the country, with only 123.0 yards per game. It's about to be the worst offense in Dantonio's 12-year tenure. Grade: D

Injuries rolled back what was to become the best receiver of the Big Ten. Starter Cody White remains indefinitely after a broken hand in the victory over Central Michigan on September 29th. Starter Darrell Stewart Jr. has missed two of the last three games due to an apparent ankle injury. In addition, real freshman Jalen Nailor has been absent in each of the last three games after an outstanding performance in a win in Indiana.

It's unclear when Stewart and Nailor will come back, but the Spartans still have Felton Davis and it's a decisive talent. The former leader of the team in all categories of receptions with 31 catches for 474 yards and four touchdowns and a quick score. He caught the decisive touchdown at Penn State, is the offensive weapon of the Spartans and should be targeted even further.

With two starters in play, the depth of Michigan State has been tested: Cam Chambers, Brandon Sowards, Laress Nelson and C.J. Hayes have gained more time. This group played some key pieces, but White and Stewart went out.

Michigan State's tight end production is virtually non-existent for the second consecutive season and fifth-year star Matt Sokol has struggled with declines. Matt Dotson and him have combined for three passes for 48 yards at Penn State, so maybe the tight ends will play a bigger role in the second half of the season. Category B