Alrighty, then, that's the kind of formula that will take the Spartans far this season: stifling defense and some competent offense. It ain't that complicated.
Offense
The Spartans focused a lot more on the run game this week, largely to good avail. If your opponent can't stop the run, then run it until they find a way to stop you. They'll need to be more balanced against the better defenses, but it looks like the running game is as good as MSU has had in a long time. The o-line is truly the best of the Dantonio era and Langford and Williams could end up being as good a duo as we've ever seen at running back at MSU.
Cook played really well. He did fumble at the goal line and he did get lucky on the touchdown throw to end the half, but otherwise, what he did today is what MSU needs out of him.
The receivers . . . I haven't seen a drop in quite a while, and they seem to be getting open pretty regularly. The tight ends are also clearly starting to emerge.
Defense
What an astonishing performance. We are truly witnessing something historic. They almost completely shut down an offense that was scoring 35 points a game. And they are now consistently suffocating opposing offenses in the second half. Opposing teams have some success in the first half, but by the second half it's just a bunch of 3 and outs. Seriously, my only concern is that MSU could lose some guys early to the NFL.
Special teams
Good kicking, still nerve-wracking on punt returns.
Coaches
Narduzzi = elite. The offense recognized the dominance of their running game and made some good passing calls. The only concern I might raise is that the team seems to start games slowly. That hasn't hurt them against lesser competition, but it could make a difference against tougher teams.
Upshot
This is starting to look like a championship team. The talent is amazing and starting to click. I think it really depends on Cook's performances the rest of the way. If he plays the rest of the way like he did today, MSU should go to the Rose Bowl.
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