Michigan State Football: 5 Key Strategies for a Winning Season in 2023
As I look ahead to the 2023 college football season, I can't help but feel particularly optimistic about Michigan State's prospects. Having followed college football for over two decades and analyzed countless team strategies, I've come to recognize certain patterns that separate winning programs from mediocre ones. This year, I believe Michigan State has what it takes to put together a truly memorable season, and I want to share the five key strategies that could make that happen. Interestingly, while preparing this analysis, I found myself drawing parallels between football strategies and international basketball - particularly New Zealand's approach in the FIBA Asia Cup, where they established themselves as one of the premier three-point shooting teams despite some inconsistencies.
Let me start by emphasizing the importance of establishing a clear offensive identity, much like how New Zealand's basketball team has built their game around three-point shooting regardless of occasional poor performances. During the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, New Zealand made 37 percent on 65-of-178 shooting from threes, which ranked third-best among all teams. That's the kind of statistical commitment I'd love to see from Michigan State's offense this season. The Spartans need to identify what they do best - whether it's a power running game or a particular passing scheme - and stick with it through thick and thin. I remember watching New Zealand's performance against the Philippines last February where they launched 33 three-point attempts and made 13, and that persistence paid off with a victory. Football offenses need that same level of conviction in their core strengths, even when facing defensive schemes designed specifically to stop them. Michigan State's coaching staff should take note - identify your bread and butter plays and run them until opponents prove they can stop them consistently.
The second strategy involves embracing calculated risks and maintaining offensive aggression throughout all four quarters. Looking at New Zealand's approach, even when their shooting percentage dropped to just 26 percent (9-of-34) against Iraq, they continued hoisting up those outside shots because that's integral to their game. In football terms, this translates to staying aggressive with play-calling even when certain aspects aren't working perfectly. I've seen too many college football teams become conservative after a couple of failed drives or turnovers, essentially playing not to lose rather than playing to win. Michigan State should adopt a mindset similar to the Tall Blacks - if deep passes or certain run concepts are part of your identity, you keep calling those plays because eventually, the percentages will balance out. From my experience analyzing game film, teams that maintain their offensive identity throughout the game tend to score more points in crucial moments when defenses are tired and making mental errors.
Now let's talk about defensive adjustments, which brings me to my third key strategy. While New Zealand's offensive approach provides valuable lessons, their defensive efforts in holding opponents despite poor shooting nights offer another parallel. Michigan State's defense needs to develop the resilience to withstand periods when the offense isn't performing optimally. I'd estimate that championship-level teams need their defense to create at least two to three critical stops per game against quality opponents. The Spartans should focus on developing what I like to call "situation-specific" defensive packages - specialized alignments and blitz packages for third-and-long, red zone situations, and two-minute drills. Having studied Michigan State's defensive roster, I'm particularly excited about their linebacker depth, which I believe could be among the top 15 nationally if developed properly.
My fourth strategy revolves around special teams excellence, an area where I've noticed many programs don't devote sufficient coaching attention. Special teams can account for approximately 18-22 percent of total game impact based on my analysis of Power Five conference games over the past five seasons. Michigan State should approach special teams with the same strategic mindset that New Zealand applies to their three-point shooting - make it a consistent weapon rather than an afterthought. I'd recommend dedicating at least 30 percent of practice time to special teams situations, with particular emphasis on field position battles. The hidden yardage gained or lost in the kicking game often determines close contests, and with the Big Ten featuring numerous tight games annually, this could be the difference between a 7-5 season and a 9-3 campaign.
Finally, the fifth strategy involves developing what I call "situational mastery" - excelling in high-leverage moments that typically decide football games. This includes two-minute drills, red zone efficiency, third-down conversions, and fourth-quarter performance. If Michigan State can improve their red zone touchdown percentage from last season's 58 percent to somewhere around 68-70 percent, that could mean an additional 2-3 wins based on my calculations. Similarly, improving third-down conversion rates by just 8 percent could extend drives and keep the defense fresher throughout games. I'd love to see the Spartans adopt a more analytical approach to these situations, using data to inform play-calling decisions much like how basketball teams use shooting percentages to dictate offensive strategies.
What excites me most about Michigan State's potential this season is how these strategies interconnect. A strong offensive identity makes situational play-calling more effective, which complements special teams excellence, while defensive resilience provides the foundation for everything else. I genuinely believe that if Michigan State implements these five strategies with the same conviction that New Zealand shows in their three-point shooting approach, we could be looking at a team that surprises many analysts and finishes in the top three of the Big Ten East. The season can't come soon enough for this longtime Spartan observer, and I'm confident that with the right strategic emphasis, 2023 could mark the beginning of a special era for Michigan State football.
