2. Special teams need to continue to be a strength
Matt Coghlin has been perfect this season as the kicker for the Spartans as he’s 7-for-7 on field goals and 8-for-8 on extra points. He is 3-for-3 on field goals from 40 yards or longer and out of his seven attempts only two have been from 30 yards or less. He arguably has been the best kicker in all of college football thus far.
Jake Hartbarger a sixth-year senior has had six punts this season for an average of 46.5 yards with his longest being 61 yards. He doesn’t have to be great, just consistent because after he and other punters were injured last season, Michigan State’s punting unit put the Spartan defense is tough spots by giving the opposition’s offenses good field position.
Darrell Stewart Jr. on kick returns and Cody White on punt returns don’t have to have a major impact on the return game for the Spartans. However, neither can afford to fumble the ball or make a poor choices resulting in bad field position. In particular, White has to be able to fair catch punts when necessary and not let the ball roll towards the goal line to be downed by the Sun Devils.