Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective.
I asked Connor Muldowney from Spartan Shadows six questions about the Michigan State Spartans
Minnesota hosts Michigan State in Minneapolis on October 28th, this will be the 49th meeting between the two programs.
Huge thanks to Connor for giving us his thoughts!
Follow Connor on Twitter: @connormuldowney
1. It’s been an interesting few years for Michigan State football. The Spartans caught everybody by surprise in 2021 when they finished 11-2 in Tucker’s first full season. The 2022 team had its ups and downs and finished 5-7. This year, Mel Tucker was suspended after two games and officially fired on September 27th due to a story detailing alleged sexual harassment by Tucker. The Spartans are coming off a huge loss to rival Michigan, which is in the news regarding a Wolverines staffer putting in a lot of time and effort to steal opponents’ signs. What’s the vibe like in East Lansing right now? Is there somebody out there who is a “fan favorite” to become the new head coach?
The vibe in East Lansing right now as you’d expect is pretty grim. Obviously these past few years have been a roller-coaster, but now that MSU has officially moved on from Mel Tucker, it feels like this season is a loss no matter what. There isn’t a lot of investment into a bowl game this year. But there is some hope. There are fan favorites for head coach from all-time great Urban Meyer (that’s the hot topic right now) to Duke’s Mike Elko. I think those two guys would be considered the “fan favorites” to become the next head coach.
2. Depending on where you were looking, most of Vegas had the Spartans win total at five and a half. Nobody expected what was going to happen with Mel Tucker. What were the expectations of this team heading into this season? Did you see them making a bowl? How have those expectations changed post Mel Tucker?
I definitely thought that this team would make a bowl game. There is just too much talent on the roster and it was a prove-it year for Mel Tucker. But those expectations have obviously changed and the injuries have piled up and the coaching has been sub-par, at best, under Harlon Barnett in his place. I think this team would be lucky to win 4-5 games, especially after blowing two wins against Iowa and Rutgers.
3. After winning their first two games, the Spartans have now lost the last five. They are coming off a 49-0 defeat to rival Michigan last week, which was the largest home defeat ever. What have been the struggles for the Spartans in their losing streak? Is there anything that has gone right?
Where do I even begin on the struggles? The coaching has been poor. The team just doesn’t look prepared for any game and the discipline is lacking. Penalties and mental mistakes have been huge issues along with a regressing offensive line, injuries, poor game management, lackluster play-calling, and it seemed against Michigan that there was a lack of effort. The only thing that has truly gone right during this stretch has been getting the younger guys some snaps. Katin Houser should have been the starting quarterback in Week 1 and it’s good to see him finally take over.
4. The Spartan offense enters Saturday averaging 325 yards per game, which is tenth in the Big Ten. Their passing attack is seventh in the conference with 217 yards per game, but there has been a change at the quarterback position. Redshirt freshman Katin Houser ( four-star recruit in high school) has stepped in for Noah Kim. Can you give us some insight on the QB change? Is Houser expected to start this weekend against the Gophers? Can you give us a player or two that Minnesota fans should know about on the Spartans offense?
After struggling for a few games following a hot start against Central Michigan and Richmond, Noah Kim came back down to earth and showed what kind of quarterback he truly was against Maryland, Washington, and Iowa. A change was absolutely needed. Fans had been calling for a change for weeks and it was shocking to see it take even as long as it did to actually happen.
Houser is going to be the starter moving forward and I’d be surprised if we saw Kim take the field again as Sam Leavitt, a talented former four-star freshman, was actually the replacement for Katin in the 49-0 drubbing against Michigan. Houser has a high ceiling, but the offensive coaching staff is setting him up to fail and that offensive line isn’t helping.
As for a couple of players to keep an eye out for, Nathan Carter has been really good this year at running back even behind a mediocre offensive line. He’s probably the team’s most talented offensive threat. Imagining him behind a good offensive line would be scary. I’d also have to go with Maliq Carr who is a big-bodied, athletic tight end who seems to be the go-to target for whoever is under center. He’s a matchup nightmare for linebackers and he’s tough to bring down in space.
5. The defense is giving up 354 yards per game, which ranks 11thin the Big Ten. They are 12th in the conference in points against, allowing 27.9 points per contest. What is the strength of the defense? What are the weaknesses? Can you give us a player or two that Minnesota fans should know on that side of the ball?
The defense has been a roller-coaster this year. There are games where it really impressed (Iowa, Rutgers) and others where it looks like it can’t stop anything (Washington, Michigan). I would say the strength of this defense would be its ability to slow down the run. The Spartans are better against the run than the pass and the front deserves credit. Although some guys have fallen short of expectations on this defense and injuries have piled up, I think that the run defense has been impressive.
Keep an eye on freshman linebacker Jordan Hall who has been a breakout star on that side of the ball as well as Zion Young, a sophomore defensive end. Those two guys are very likely the future of this defense and should help the program in this transition phase.
6. This Saturday will mark the 49thmeeting between Minnesota and Michigan State. The Gophers are 18-30 overall against the Spartans. This will be the first time the teams have played two years in a row since the 2012–2013 seasons. Minnesota beat Michigan State 34-7 in East Lansing last year. Michigan State comes to Minneapolis as a seven-point underdog. Both teams are coming off games against their rivals. How do you see the game being played out on Saturday? What is your prediction for the game?
If the circumstances were any different, I’d like Michigan State’s chances. Despite their 2-5 record, the Spartans actually have talent on this team, but the coaching is so obviously an issue. Plus, it’s tough for any team to overcome a coach fired mid-season and dozens of injuries/transfers.
With that being said, I see Minnesota taking care of business on Saturday. The Spartans may have a tough time moving the ball on the Gophers and while I think they could put up a fight, it just feels like this losing streak is going to continue. Minnesota hasn’t been a world-beater, by any means, but I just think Michigan State is broken. I’ll go with a 24-13 win for the Gophers.