Michigan State enters Big Ten play with defensive vulnerabilities, inconsistent passing game Michigan State's season trajectory has largely followed expectations so far, beating lesser opponents and falling to a powerhouse. However, the Spartans are heading into the Big Ten schedule with significant concerns, particularly on defense where they have consistently been burned by long plays and failed to contain the deep passing game. Offensively, while the quarterback shows potential, the lack of open receivers and a need for quicker decision-making are holding the team back. Notre Dame safety Luke Talich, left, sacks Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) during a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in South Bend. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectMSU did what it was supposed to do in its non-conference schedule: beat Toledo and Eastern Michigan, and then lose to No. 3 Notre Dame. That's a bit of an oversimplification, but the Spartans’ standing hasn't really changed much, thoughgave some reasons for optimism. The Fighting Irish exposed some things, though, and Michigan State definitely has some concerns it's taking with it into the Big Ten schedule.Defense struggles with deep passesMichigan State’s Charles Brantley, center, looks to see if referees grant him an interception on a play against Toledo’s Daryl Barnett Jr. during the second quarter on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect One big problem has been how often the top of MSU's defense has been taken off.The Spartans did fine keeping EMU's offense in check during Week 2, but Toledo and Notre Dame both had multiple pretty long plays. The Rockets had touchdowns of 71 and 60 yards during the season opener, and Notre Dame had pass plays of 61 and 39 yards, both of which were connections from quarterback CJ Carr to wide receiver Micah Gilbert..The 60-yard touchdown allowed against Toledo was pretty much as simple as Brantley biting on a double move, which really should not have happened, given that he was guarding Toledo's big-play receiver, Adjatay Dabbs. Brantley also simply got beat on a go-ball against Notre Dame on the 39-yard gain.Brantley and Vaught's costly errorsNotre Dame wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) stiff arms Michigan State defensive back Devin Vaught (2) during a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in South Bend. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connecthas made a few costly mistakes, too (though he makes enough good plays to help make up for it).Vaught was supposed to help Brantley on that previously mentioned 39-yard pass to Gilbert, though it looked like MSU was in Cover 1, and Vaught had to open up his hips in the opposite direction to go play center field. Vaught was also partially at fault for the 61-yard gain the Spartans allowed on Saturday’s opening play. Notre Dame went with play action, and Vaught completely bit on it.Some responsibility falls on Tre Bell for also getting beat, but the ball perhaps doesn't come out if Vaught wasn't sitting on a run play so much. Vaught was also in the same gap as rush end Kenny Soares Jr. on Toledo's long touchdown run during the fourth quarter of Week 1.Milivojevic's slow release timingMichigan State’s Fredrick Moore, left, celebrates his touchdown catch against Eastern Michigan with Rodney Bullard Jr. during the first quarter on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connectto this point in his career is probably that he takes a while to get the ball out sometimes. According to Pro Football Focus, Milivojevic's average 2.98-second time to throw is the second-longest in the Big Ten among starters.The only starter who takes longer is Aidan Chiles (3.24 seconds), funnily enough, but some of that added time could come from Chiles' scrambling ability. I don't think Milivojevic has processing issues, necessarily. If he did, his interceptions would feel more, well, Aidan Chiles-esque. Milivojevic's first pick against Notre Dame wasn't great --- he should've looked off the safety and didn't.The second was more situational --- MSU was down and forced to pass, and Notre Dame teed off on that. Michigan State’s Rodney Bullard Jr., left, celebrates his touchdown with Fredrick Moore during the fourth quarter in the game against Toledo on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Sometimes, if the quarterback is standing in the pocket and not throwing, it's simply because there's nowhere to throw it.The passing game looked pretty crisp against Toledo, with a lot of easy stuff underneath and in the intermediate range, but the level of success dropped against Eastern Michigan and Notre Dame as the Spartans tried to push it downfield more. Michigan State's receivers simply aren't getting open on a consistent basis, which has led to coverage snaps and offensive limitations.Receiver separation issues limiting offenseMilivojevic's average depth of target (ADOT) has increased from 8.6 vs. Toledo to 10.4 vs. EMU and then 13.0 against Notre Dame. His 10.1 ADOT for the season is the seventh-highest mark in the Big Ten (min. 30 dropbacks), but MSU's receivers haven't played well enough for that to be the norm. Some more short-and-easy stuff could be beneficial headed into conference play.Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald celebrates a play against Toledo with offensive lineman Trent Fraley (63) during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.