Michigan State Football's Defense has Many Holes to Fix this Offseason

Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith has a lot of work to do to reverse the points for and against ratio.

Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A Michigan State Spartans helmet sits on a bench during the second half game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports / David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State football had a rough time last year, especially on defense. It let in a whopping 340 points while only managing to score 191 themselves. That's a big problem, especially considering how tough the Big Ten is about to get. The Spartans can't expect to be winning games with that type of margin.

A solid defense is very important in football. It's the shield that protects your team from the other guys scoring. But Michigan State's defense was like a leaky bucket last season, letting in points left and right.

That kind of weak defense doesn't cut it, especially in a conference as competitive as the Big Ten.

To turn things around, Michigan State needs to shake things up. It has to rethink its defensive strategies -- maybe try out some new plays or formations to throw off its opponents. And it needs to make sure it has got the right players for the job.

That means recruiting tough, talented defenders who can hold their own against any offense they face.

But it's not just about Xs and Os. The attitude has to change too. Every player needs to buy into the idea that defense wins games.

They have to be hungry to stop the other team from scoring, no matter what it takes. That means putting in the work on the practice field and giving it their all on game day. They have to forget about last season and focus on fixing the holes in the execution.

Michigan State has a long history of success in football, but it is going to have to work hard to get back to the top. With the Big Ten getting tougher every year, it can't afford to coast on past achievements. It's time for the Spartans to roll up their sleeves, tighten up that defense and show the conference what they're made of.

In the end, it's all about getting back to basics. Michigan State needs to focus on playing tough, disciplined defense if it wants to start winning games again. With the right attitude and a few strategic tweaks, it can turn things around and reclaim its spot as a powerhouse in college football.

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