The Bulldogs have completed the first half of the regular season and enter an open date after defeating Western Michigan 41-28 in a surprisingly competitive game against a non-conference opponent. MSU’s overall record of 3-3 leaves much to be desired, but there are a few bright spots. Let’s take a look at these challenges and some of the little grounds for hope in what has been a difficult year for the Maroon and White.
The issues outnumber the positives for MSU this year, but the special teams are a bright spot. This year, they have been one of the top teams in the SEC. After years of unpredictability in the kicking game, freshman kicker Kyle Ferrie has been a breath of fresh air for Bulldogs supporters. With a long of 49 yards, the freshman has converted 8 of his 10 attempts this season.
Keelan Crimmins, a freshman punter, has also performed well this season. The greatest returning duo in the country is Zavion Thomas and Tulu Gryphon. They have yet to return a touchdown this season, but they are always a danger. Another point, albeit obviously a bit of a stretch for a positive, offence has begun to show signs of life. In their game against Alabama, the Bulldogs scored the most points against the Crimson Tide since 2017.
For MSU this year, the negatives dominate the positives, but the special teams are a bright spot. They have been one of the best teams in the SEC this season. Freshman kicker Kyle Ferrie has been a breath of fresh air for Bulldogs fans after years of volatility in the kicking game. The freshman has converted 8 of his 10 attempts this season, with a long of 49 yards.
This experience has not aided the Bulldogs, who have repeatedly produced a poor product on the pitch. The Bulldogs’ previous four quarterbacks have thrown 14 interceptions while completing 85 percent of their passes. To make matters worse, the Bulldogs are unable to generate a pass pressure, leaving receivers wide open all over the field. This is not an effective defence strategy. MSU has always been recognised for its tough defences, so it’s odd why they’ve struggled so much under a defensive-minded coach.
Players look to be sluggish and frequently out of position. The main problem is unknown, but we will try to figure it out next. So, what’s the problem with defence? As previously said, players were sluggish and out of place. While the first section focuses on the players, the second focuses on coaching.
Former linebackers coach Matt Brock was elevated to defensive coordinator after Zach Arnett took over as head coach. Arnett has expressed his trust in Brock, but a change must be made at some time. Will the change have an impact? Maybe, maybe not, but there are certainly some changes that need to be made for the Bulldogs to improve.
For the last month, Brock’s defence has looked confused, and Arnett must remember the definition of insanity if he intends to remedy these wrongs in the second half of the season. On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Will Rogers has virtually every passing record in MSU history, but he has struggled this season. Rogers had his greatest game against South Carolina, completing 487 of his passes. Aside from that game, Rogers has struggled in every subsequent SEC game, passing for 210 yards and one score with three interceptions.
