So MSU has played 4 games and they are giving up 14.5 points per game (I took out the two turnovers turned into touchdowns they have given up. They are giving up an average of 247 yards per game as well. On paper, that's pretty good. But that doesn't take into account how those teams are faring against other teams. Basically, are any of those offenses any good?
MSU actually did pretty well against Notre Dame. The Irish are averaging 42.25 points per game in their 4 other games and 483 yards per game. MSU held them to 31 points (minus the pick six) and 355 yards. That being said, the Irish have put up a ton of points and yards against Miami of Ohio, Temple, and Boston College. The only real comp here is Georgia, which is clearly an elite defense, and they completely shut down Notre Dame, holding them to 211 yards and just 19 points in South Bend.
Iowa has put up a respectable amount of points and yards against North Texas and Iowa State, but struggled in their other two games, only putting up 273 yards and 19 points vs PSU and 263 yards and 24 points vs Wyoming. Sparty held the Hawkeyes to 226 yards and 10 points, which is still better than both PSU and Wyoming.
Western Michigan struggled mightily in East Lansing only gaining 195 yards and 7 points from their offense. They've been pretty successful in other games, including 31 points and 357 yards at USC. They have also fared well in games vs Ball State, Wagner and Idaho.
Bowling Green is not a good offense, putting up just 7 points and 352 yards against Northwestern and 284 yards and 13 points against Middle Tennessee State, but the MSU defense again outdid those numbers, holding the Falcons to 10 points and 212 yards.
It's tough to make a ton of conclusions given the smallish sample size here. Especially when considering the MAC teams. But the evidence suggests that while this may not be an elite MSU defense it is certainly better than what they were last year and likely the second best defense we will have faced this year after Florida. I do think we are going to struggle to move the ball and score on them.
MSU actually did pretty well against Notre Dame. The Irish are averaging 42.25 points per game in their 4 other games and 483 yards per game. MSU held them to 31 points (minus the pick six) and 355 yards. That being said, the Irish have put up a ton of points and yards against Miami of Ohio, Temple, and Boston College. The only real comp here is Georgia, which is clearly an elite defense, and they completely shut down Notre Dame, holding them to 211 yards and just 19 points in South Bend.
Iowa has put up a respectable amount of points and yards against North Texas and Iowa State, but struggled in their other two games, only putting up 273 yards and 19 points vs PSU and 263 yards and 24 points vs Wyoming. Sparty held the Hawkeyes to 226 yards and 10 points, which is still better than both PSU and Wyoming.
Western Michigan struggled mightily in East Lansing only gaining 195 yards and 7 points from their offense. They've been pretty successful in other games, including 31 points and 357 yards at USC. They have also fared well in games vs Ball State, Wagner and Idaho.
Bowling Green is not a good offense, putting up just 7 points and 352 yards against Northwestern and 284 yards and 13 points against Middle Tennessee State, but the MSU defense again outdid those numbers, holding the Falcons to 10 points and 212 yards.
It's tough to make a ton of conclusions given the smallish sample size here. Especially when considering the MAC teams. But the evidence suggests that while this may not be an elite MSU defense it is certainly better than what they were last year and likely the second best defense we will have faced this year after Florida. I do think we are going to struggle to move the ball and score on them.
