This chart shows what I’ve been arguing for weeks. Translation: Michigan State has gotten pressured on ~33% of drop-backs. Of those pressures, roughly 40% of them are quick-pressures! What does that say about why pressure is happening? I can think of 3-4 reasons, but none of them include the OL losing 1 on 1 reps or OL giving up free rushers due to miscommunication.

The record will show I believed until the very end.

Just not enough horses to hold up by the end. Injuries on the back-end finally caught up in the 4Q. Missed too many open, must-hit throws on offense on a day where you needed to give your defense every bit of support you could. Proof of concept is there, just need more depth and better execution. Won’t be fixed until January. You hope they’d continue giving themselves a chance every fourth quarter like the last 2 games.

LeVar Woods. Worth his weight in gold. Michigan State was ready for the fake punt. This is on top of a blocked field goal, a great kick return, a great punt return & perfect kick coverage all day.

The thing is that Alessio Milivojevic actually has all the arm talent in the world. Other than the 4th down overthrow, he doesn’t actually miss guys often. His issue has been pulling the trigger. Look what has happened on the last 2 deep shots that he actually let himself take!

Coming into today, Northwestern was the Big Ten’s third-best rushing offense. Michigan State has held the Wildcats to 2.7 YPC through 7 drives. If you subtract an outlier 18-yard run, Northwestern has 64 yards on 27 carries (2.37 YPC).

Ben Roberts better make an All-Big Ten team.

Michigan State DL coach Winston DeLattiboudere has done an amazing job with the interior DT pass rush and general run defense. Watching him teach hand-techniques at showcase camps this offseason was great fun. It’s showing on the field. Also a very gap-sound unit.

The last 2 weeks have further driven home the point that isn’t surprising but is often forgotten: The loudest voices on social media amid the losses don’t represent the sentiment of the everyday fan.

MSU’s offensive line having another solid day so far today. Would love to see Time to Throw metrics for this game, if CFB had NFL data analytics support.

Bryson Williams sighting. First career TD. He was the receiver that got open on the first-play flea flicker last week too. Milivojevic with back-to-back well-placed deep balls to close out the two minute drill. Bullard got stifled by contact, Williams fought through.

Anelu Lafaele is cooking LT#69 this game.