| While the talk has been, and mostly rightfully so, about the struggles of Michigan State's defense, quietly the offense has maybe become the bigger problem. The defense mostly stopped a resugant Wisconsin offense, and held Michigan to fewer yards and points than last year; their offense was a complete no show though. The problems start up front, which is why the Spartans have failed on a couple of 4th and goal short yardage plays in each of their last two games. Unfortunately for them, as good as Michigan's run defense is (#2 in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game allowed and yards per carry allowed), Illinois' is actually better. It's crazy to think that the only thing between Illinois being an undefeated, top ten team, is the fact that that defense couldn't hold a late lead against Indiana. It's not like this team is doing it with smoke and mirrors either. Aside from a 9-6 rock fight against Iowa, the Illini are killing teams. By 32 over Wyoming, by 21 over Virginia, by 31 against top 10 FCS Chattanooga, by 24 over Wisconsin, by 12 over Minnesota, and by 17 over Nebraska. They have only allowed one second half score (a third quarter touchdown by Minnesota) in the 6 games since Indiana. So whatever you are going to get on this defense, you better get it quickly, because their halftime adjustments have been elite. The Spartans have been the exact opposite, getting shut out in the second halves of four of their five Big Ten games, not counting garbage time touchdowns. The Wisconsin win was the lone time the offense showed up after intermission. The Spartans have probably the best passing attack Illinois has seen, and certainly the best group of receivers, so for Michigan State to have a shot, they need to keep the Illini close, and hit enough big plays. They certainly aren't going to generate any sustained offense with this line against that front. The postgame last week tells me this is a frustrated locker room, I don't see them scraping together a bowl salvaging win. |