Overall
Grade: B+
MSU finished the season 10-2 and most likely will play in one of the New Year’s Day six non-playoff bowl games. That’s a pretty successful season and something Spartan fans should be pleased with in the end. However, MSU gets only a B+ grade simply because the Spartans didn’t live up to the high expectations. From the beginning of the season it was all about making the inaugural College Football Playoff, and Nov. 8 that dream was ruined by Ohio State. MSU failed to win either of its two biggest games of the season and ultimately failed on reaching its goal. Like I said, MSU fans should be happy with the season and be excited about a big time bowl game in a warm destination, but the Green and White surely missed out on a golden opportunity this season.
Offense
Grade: A
What can we say about the MSU offense this season? Explosive? Efficient? At times unstoppable? All three can apply in 2014 as the Spartans set a school record for most points in a season. MSU averaged 496.5 yards and 43.1 points per game, both of which rank in the top 15 nationally. The Spartan offense was led by its three-headed monster of junior quarterback Connor Cook, senior running back Jeremy Langford and senior wide receiver Tony Lippett. Cook and Lippett were both honored as All-Big Ten recipients and Langford reeled off nine consecutive 100-yard games to finish the season. By far one of the best offenses in the country, which is a complete 180 degree turn from a couple of years ago.
Defense
Grade: B
If you look at the numbers, MSU’s defense had a solid season and similar to those of the past here in East Lansing. However, it doesn’t have the same “No Fly Zone” dominance. MSU averaged only 293.5 yards and 19.9 points against this season, which both ranked in the top 15 in country. The rush defense was impressive yet again, ranking No. 5 in the country and overall creating a tough front seven for opponents. But in the big games the defense failed to show up. MSU surrendered 46 and 49 points in its two losses to Oregon and Ohio State, with both teams ripping off big plays against the Spartan secondary. The poor performances left a sour taste in the mouths of the Spartan faithful, ultimately leading to a more disappointing season on that side of the ball. In the end, fans shouldn’t ever complain about a top 25 defense, but when it mattered the most the “Spartan Dawgs” were nowhere to be found.
Special Teams
Grade: C-
One of the biggest drawbacks from this season was the inconsistency in the special teams area for MSU. While the Spartans set a school record for most points in a season, they surely left quite a few off the board as well. Sophomore kicker Michael Geiger was up and down all season, finishing 14-of-22 in field goals on the season. That included at least one missed field goal in seven of the 12 games this year. One positive from the special teams was return man sophomore R.J. Shelton. He finished the season averaging more than 25 yards per return and ripped off a 90-yard touchdown against Penn State in the season finale. That being said, there are certainly areas for improvement for next season, especially from Geiger.
