Early Season Football Struggles
Michigan, Michigan State and Syracuse tackle early season struggles ahead of conference play.
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Michigan State enters Big Ten play against Nebraska after a test against Notre Dame, with its passing game, protection against explosive plays and punt protection among areas to improve. Coach Pat Fitzgerald faces a demanding stretch against Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, UCLA and Michigan. Michigan also opens conference play against Iowa while working to improve its perimeter run game and protect quarterback Bryce Underwood, who has fumbled once in each of his first three games; defensively, the Wolverines have been strong up front and at linebacker but need to correct blown coverages and tighten run-gap discipline. Syracuse’s 1-2 start has been tied to offensive-line struggles that leave quarterback Steve Angeli under pressure and hinder its downfield passing offense.
Key Points
1
Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic threw his first two interceptions of the season against Notre Dame, and the Spartans need receivers beyond their top wideout to contribute if the passing game is to break through against Nebraska.
2
Syracuse’s struggles extend beyond its offensive line: the team’s 1-2 record includes two conference losses, and its losing streak against FBS opponents has reached 10 games. Its pass defense, by contrast, has been a strength.
3
Syracuse’s Kam Pringle has allowed 12 pressures, tied for the second-most among ACC tackles, while his pass-blocking grade ranks 31st among 39 tackles with at least 40 pass-blocking snaps.
4
Michigan’s perimeter runs are averaging about 2.5 yards per carry this season, down from roughly 8.5 last year. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck said the team must either improve those plays or stop using them.
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