How Will Michigan State Football's Defense Perform In 2023? | Michigan State Football 2023

Mel Tucker has earned a reputation as a defensive mind who cannot manage a defense. This is because the Michigan State Spartans have finished every season of the Mel Tucker era with scoring defenses outside of the Top 50. The unit allowed 35.1 points per game in 2020, 25.3 points in 2021, and 27.4 points in 2022. With elite offenses such as Ohio State, Michigan, and Washington playing the Spartans in the regular season, it is of utmost importance that defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton and his staff establish an identity on defense. The bend but don't break scheme, while working at times, needs to be put in the drawer as the scheme is obsolete and MSU has the best roster of the Tucker era. Offenses such as Minnesota, Maryland, Penn State, and potentially Nebraska and Iowa will also have good to great players, so if the Spartans want to win with the nation's toughest schedule, improvements have to be made. Mel Tucker brought in Jim Salgado to help coach up the secondary, which loses cornerback Ameer Speed and safety Xavier Henderson but looks to start several young, athletic players such as safety Dillon Tatum. Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr returns along with linebackers Cal Haladay, Jacoby Windmon, and Aaron Brule. Despite the departure of Jacob Slade, I expect the interior of the defensive line to be among the best in the Big Ten and the pass rush from the linebackers and edge rushers should improve as well. This defense won't be elite, but they should be great at stopping the run and average at stopping the pass. I think Michigan State Football's defense will perform at a good enough level to get them bowl eligibility in 2023. Leave a like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more of the best College Football content! My Merchandise Store: https://cfbwithsam.threadless.com/ Spotify Link: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/A9u1hWG8nyb Michigan State 2023 Football Depth Chart: https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/michigan-state/91142/ Michigan State 2023 Recruiting Class: https://247sports.com/college/michigan-state/Season/2023-Football/Commits/ My Video Previewing Michigan State's Offense: https://youtu.be/CvsX7NrjDZ8 #michiganstatefootball #michiganstatespartans #meltucker #michiganfootball #ohiostatefootball #bigtenfootball #collegefootball #collegefootballrecruiting #football