MSU lost a close game to Boston College, coming down to the final drive. This was a good measuring stick for where we are as a program. There was some good, some bad, some confirmation of what we've seen the past few weeks, and we also left with more questions.
Offense
QB: Chiles had another up-and-down game. The turnovers continue to be an issue. And while the last interception is glaring, and seemingly lost the game. We also wouldn't have been in the game without his play to that point. He finished with 241 passing yards and 57 rushing yards (on 9 carries, with a TD). But it was the 3 INTs that killed us.
RB: Carter out-snapped KLA 39-29. But KLA had the higher PFF grade, 69 vs 51. Carter was shut down, logging nine carries for 9 yards. KLA meanwhile had 15 carries for 61 yards, with a long of 19. While KLA seems to be the better RB at this point, he did have a costly fumble on a kick return.
TE: This group continues to play more. Three players logged healthy volume, a result of MSU being down multiple Wide Receivers. But PFF grades leave more to be desired. Velling logged 46 snaps (PFF Grade - 70), Masunas 28 (PFF Grade 49), and Parachek 17 (PFF Grade 56). It's good to see the depth there. Velling had his best performance of the season, registering six receptions for 77 yards.
WR: This room was ravaged doing into this game, down multiple players. Nick Marsh, Donald Glover, and Antonio Gates Jr. didn't play. And Alante Brown is already out for the season. Foster stepped up, playing all 68 snaps and leading the team with 87 yards. Aziah Johnson filled in as the next man up, as he's done all season, and pulled in 3 passes for 59 yards.
OL: By PFF grades, this was the worst game of the season. We only played 5 OL in this game, a first for the season, but all 5 put were graded in the 50's, which PFF described as "Below Average". Remember, MSU is down a few OL with injuries, so young players are playing, and guys are playing out of position.
Defense
DT: Tough game for the defensive line, giving up 152 yards and 2 TDs on 43 carries. Looking at the RBs only, they averaged 6.1 YPC. This was a really disappointing performance. PFF graded all inside DL as "Below Average" or lower. And the production wasn't there like it has been all season, with this group combining for 2 tackles. They did get a sack by Satchell.
DE: While the DT's played pretty poorly, the Edge players did alright, with all being graded by PFF as Average or Above Average. Again, Bogel was a bright spot, with 6 tackles, and a combine sack. Dunnigan also had a good game, with 3 tackles, a sack, and TFL. Thompson and Jones played well in reserve roles.
LB: MSU relied heavily on the top four LBs: Haladay, Turner, Matthews, and Hall, each playing 27+ snaps. And those 4 were PFF graded as "Average" or "Above Average". All 4 LBs had pretty equal tackle numbers. The most glaring and somewhat predictable numbers are that Halladay was targeted twice and allowed receptions on both. Haladay was also credited with three missed tackles.
CB: I was shocked to see this post-game, but with injuries to other players (Rucker), Bratley and Woods each played all 58 snaps. Both played solid.
Safety/Nickle: Armorion Smith and Aveon Grose played five snaps each, but they happened to mostly be on the final drive when we gave up the game-winning TD. Angelo Grose had a bad game, not registering a stat and giving up two receptions for 50 yards, including the game-winning TD. Spencer was solid, only having one attempt at him in coverage and logging six tackles. Martizen was a bright spot, with the best PFF grade, after a 3 tackle performance and only giving up one reception for 3 yards.
Final Thoughts
It's established now that we go as Chiles goes. The multiple-turnover games are killers. But there is no doubt he is the QB now, and of the future. He is one of few players with the talent to be a difference maker vs any opponent. And this week he had to play with 4 of the top 5 WR out.
It's time for the KLA show. After 4 games it's clear he is the better RB option over Carter.
The Defense this year is significantly better than anything we saw under Mel. I look at the jump in play from Bogel, unlocking AVS, Thompson playing well as a Sophmore, Bratley playing well.
The talent evaluation in the portal is significantly better than Mels. I'm not counting the Oregon State transfers. Look at transfers KLA, Newman, Dunnigan, Douse, Jones, Turner, Matthews, Martinez, and Woods.
Looking Ahead
We are officially in the gauntlet. With OSU coming to EL next week, @ Oregon, bye week, home vs Iowa, and @ UM.
I think we can keep the OSU game within the spread and expect MSU to look better and compete longer than we have in recent years.
Going 0-5 in this strech is possible. But I think Iowa and UM are both winnable.
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