Stoners in Vegas make MSU a 27-pt fave over Youngstown State. The Enlightened Spartan: Stoners in Vegas make MSU a 27-pt fave over Youngstown State.

Monday, September 09, 2013

Stoners in Vegas make MSU a 27-pt fave over Youngstown State.

According to Vegas Insider, Michigan State is favored by 27 over Youngstown State.  Did I read that correctly?  That's crazy.

Michigan State's offense doesn't have 27 points through the first two games.   The Spartan offense can't put up more than 14 points in a game if they're lucky.  

Take the points and take Youngstown State.  Are they high in Vegas? Give YSU maybe 7 points.  ES is concerned this will be another "Appalachian State" FCS upset.  MSU's offense is in crisis.  The play calling is poor, the receivers can't catch if they could separate from defenders, and the running game is barely sustainable.  Oh yeah, the QBs are making poor decisions on top of an inability to hit the receivers that aren't open. Plenty of blame to go around, but Dantonio had the last nine months to make an improvement in what everyone knew was going to be a challenge.  Instead of  better or the same... this is an offense that looks far, far worse. 

Now to the stats.

How can we measure good?

MSU is ranked #3 in Third Down Conversion Defense. MSU is ranked #19 in Fourth Down Conversion Defense. MSU is ranked #30 in First Down Defense. MSU is ranked #22 in Fumbles Recovered. MSU is #4 in Team Sacks.  MSU is #2 in Pass Efficiency Defense.  MSU is #4 in Total Defense. MSU is #11 in Turnovers Gained.

How can we measure bad?

MSU is ranked #104th in Third Down Conversion.  MSU is ranked #80 in First Downs.  MSU is ranked #117 in Passing Offense. MSU is ranked #122 in Passing Yards per Completion.  MSU is ranked #79 in Red Zone Offense.  MSU is ranked #62 in Rushing Yards per Game. MSU is ranked #86 in Scoring Offense - which is an anomaly, because the NCAA counts defensive touchdowns as "Scoring Offense."  MSU is ranked #111 in Team Offense. 

Oh, and in case you didn't know it... Youngstown State had 718 yards and 67 points last week.

This is miserable. I have a simple request:  Either, 1) figure the offense out so State is at least miserable (and not pathetic) or, 2) somebody spin the cylinder and pass the gun across the table.