FSU Football: 3 reasons defense improves drastically in 2019
By Kelvin Hunt
More Experience In System
If you go back and look at Harlon Barnett’s time at Michigan State he experienced something really similar in 2016-17.
Barnett had a very young defense in 2016 which saw his defense give up an average of 27.8 ppg. They allowed 4.14 yards per rush and 5.53 ypp while allowing teams to convert on third downs at a 42.26 percent clip.
Fast forward a year later and things changed drastically. The Spartans only allowed 20 ppg, 3.37 yards per rush and 4.87 yards per game while allowing team to convert third downs at a 32.76 percent clip.
That sounds like a stark improvement right? That 2016 defense saw multiple freshmen playing significant snaps just as FSU had last season.
Guess what? That defense was terrible at getting pressure on the quarterback too with just 11 sacks the entire season.
The 2017 season saw that number increase to 28 sacks(FSU had 28 sacks in 2018). Tackles for loss went from 56 to 65 for the Spartans.
I think it’s safe to say once Harlon Barnett has players that are comfortable in his system, and he has a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses his defenses are legit.