It was quite the interesting weekend in the Big Ten.
Nebraska fell to Northwestern at home, and Michigan couldn’t complete a comeback against Iowa on the road. From a three-way tie for first place in the Legends Division, the No. 13 MSU football team took back sole possession of the lead, barely surviving Minnesota with a one-touchdown victory.
Even in the Leaders Division, things got messy, as Ohio State was deadlocked with Indiana for most of the game before pulling away in the fourth quarter. Then there’s the scandal surrounding Penn State, but let’s keep the focus on the field.
MSU played poorly. The win was ugly. Here’s my take on the Spartans.
Slow start
This week it was especially brutal and the problem has lingered a bit too long.
It was noticeable against Youngstown State in the season opener, then disappeared, then, because of the magnitude of the team’s October wins, was hidden. But for four straight weeks now the Spartans have allowed an opening drive touchdown.
Also, only three times — once in conference play — have the Spartans offense scored on their first possession.
It’s not an issue to take lightly heading into Kinnick Stadium, where the Spartans were embarrassed 37-6 on their previous trip and where the Hawkeyes are undefeated this season.
Injuries
Sophomore cornerback Darqueze Dennard, junior linebacker Chris Norman and redshirt freshman center Travis Jackson were all missing from the starting lineup.
The Spartans have been hit hard with injuries as of late. As the coaching staff pointed out, it will happen throughout the course of a season, but the team needs to get healthy really quick.
The defense just didn’t click right with two missing pieces, allowing 295 passing yards to Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray and 173 receiving yards to wide receiver Da’Jon McKnight.
Now on to the positives that took MSU to victory Saturday.
Sneaky good Cousins
The criticism of senior quarterback Kirk Cousins (which I admit I am guilty of) was about to start again Saturday afternoon.
With each bad pass fans took to Twitter, playing on the recent “Do You Agree With Kirk?” campaign by typing (in capital letters) “I DO NOT AGREE WITH KIRK!”
It’s been a pretty common theme to blame 1) Roushar or 2) Cousins. But had the team lost Saturday it wouldn’t have been on the senior quarterback’s shoulders.
He quietly threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns, including an eight play, 74-yard touchdown drive with less than a minute remaining in the first half.
Cousins has had his fair share of bad games — which he’s been bashed for — but he doesn’t receive enough credit for his positive play, and Saturday he was pretty good.
Bell is No. 1
It’s just not a good year for junior running back Edwin Baker.
Although MSU head coach Mark Dantonio insists the team will continue to lean on the hottest back, it was evident against the Gophers who will get the majority of the carries.
Sophomore running back Le’Veon Bell has slipped into the starter role without missing a beat. On Saturday, he rushed for 96 yards and two scores, including a 35-yard scamper in the fourth quarter to put the Spartans on top for good, 31-24.
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Bell also had 15 carries to Baker’s eight.
I take Dantonio at his word that both will continue to play a role on the offense, but with Baker’s recent fumble problems he just isn’t the same trustworthy back as Bell continues to be.
If the situation arises in Iowa, it’s very likely the hot back, Bell, will take the crunch time carries.
Anthony Odoardi is a State News football reporter. He can be reached at odoardia@msu.edu.
