3-2-1 Preview: 3 things we want to see, 2 key stats and 1 best bet vs Youngstown State
A look at the Penguins vs Spartans game is as easy as 1-2-3
Week three is upon us, and so is another edition of the 3-2-1 Preview.
We got a potentially spicy Youngstown State team coming to town after they popped up in the FCS Top 25 poll.
What makes them frisky? What will we be watching for from a MSU point of view? Let's get into it.
THREE THINGS WE WANT TO SEE
1. Better Pass Protection In The Final Tune-Up
For a FCS team, Youngstown State has been above average in the pass rush game in its two games against Mercyhurst and Robert Morris. They racked up four combined sacks and, according to Pro Football Focus, a whopping 42 pressures in those two games.
However, the whole reason in writing this is less about Youngstown’s pass rush and more about MSU’s pass protection. It’s been…OK this year, but starting left tackle Stanton Ramil has had a slow start to the season.
Coming off a five pressure, two penalty evening against Boston College, we need to see a bounce-back for a young player that ended last year so promising. It’s a lot to ask for a no-hitter to be pitched, even against a FCS team, but it has to look dominant.
2. Strides In Defensive Communication
The breakdowns in the secondary last week were troubling, but perhaps not puzzling.
I get it. You brought in seemingly 40 new transfers to this room. One starter (Nikai Martinez) is already out and you lose your other starter (Malik Spencer) for a handful of the game. Safeties coach James Adams spoke about communication this week and praised his guys while also acknowledging communication has to get buttoned up.
3. A New Beginning For Alessio
We all know the stat by now – MSU’s backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic has thrown two passes in college with both being interceptions. Not to count our chickens before they hatch, but this could be as good of an opportunity to see QB2 as MSU will have the rest of the season. In the previous four seasons MSU has faced three FCS teams, and the Spartans have trotted out their backup at some point in all three of those games.
