Brian Lewerke has been a blessing and a curse.
The senior Spartan quarterback has phenomenal numbers and incredible talent.
Alas, his lapses in judgement often come at the worst possible time. His stat sheet shows more touchdowns than interceptions, but if one adds fumbles into the mix, the ration is likely closer to equal than not.
And that's been a big problem.
Some of the armchair coaches demanded his replacement, but Mark Dantonio had it right: he's too good to keep on the bench. And yet, even in his final collegiate victory, his team was dogged by two spectacularly ill-time turnovers.
This is a large part of why Michigan State's defense was uncharacteristically fragile. They do their job, get the stop and then the offense turns it over.
They go back out, the offense drives the length of the field and...turnover.
College football is a game of emotion and it's sudden changes of fortune are why it continues to fascinate and draw large crowds. The changes in momentum make for epic upsets and alas, that cuts against everyone.
Even MSU's solid defense can lose heart when it watches the offense hand away the ball time and again. In the home finale, Lewerke threw two back to back interceptions.
The first was deep in enemy territory. The defense took the field and promptly forced a turnover of their own.
And then Lewerke immediately gave the ball back.
Was it any surprise that Maryland was then able to drive the length of the field for a score?
Having one's offense do that is beyond frustrating, it's demoralizing. That was largely the story of the season.
The other element was the lack of depth. Michigan State's 2016 recruiting class was the best of Mark Dantonio's tenure, but it brought with it dreadful problems. The core issue was that Dantonio had allowed himself to be turned away from his traditional low-profile recruits and to seek out the flashier talent to take his program to the next level. It didn't work.
Teams like Alabama have to use ruthless and callous discipline to keep their players in line. Dantonio prefers to treat his players like extended family. The result was an ongoing disaster which includes what appears to be a spiteful shakedown-centered lawsuit.
Only seven players from that 2016 class remain with the program. That would hurt any program, but since Dantonio relies on seasoned upperclassmen to provide leadership, it's devastating, particularly since so many of the "missing" players were on the offensive side of the ball.
This is why those calling for Dantonio's head were misguided. The offense did improve, but Lewerke's turnovers overshadowed it.
The fact that the Spartans could dig in and win three straight, including a dog fight of a bowl game offers hope for the future. Much of the team is returning and - more importantly - the Spartans will have four full-strength classes for the first time in years.
The big question mark is at quarterback, but this is offset by the clearly talented offensive line that will be returning next year. Running back Elijah Collins looks great and yet has plenty of room for improvement.
The Spartans don't need an all-Big Ten QB, just a competent game manager. The receiver corps will likewise have plenty of depth, which was not the case previously.
The upshot is that MSU is stronger than it may appear. It's worth noting that Connor Cook won a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl in his first year as a starter. Right now it looks like a three-way competition for the job, and I'm sure the spring game will be full of intrique.
Until then, congrats on the Spartans for finishing strong. Go Green!
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