The NFL will be back in two weeks which means NCAA football isn’t too far behind from being back. This also means coach Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Spartans will be back in action.
Coming off a 12-2 (7-1 Big Ten), and a playoff loss to eventual national champion, Alabama, MSU looks to repeat its success last season but this time, hoisting the national championship.
This season will be different for the Spartans. While some of the familiar faces will lace ‘em for another season, some key faces won’t. MSU lost key players at key positions last season, mainly in the NFL draft.
Most of the team’s key loses were on the offensive end. Quarterback, Connor Cook, offensive tackles Jack Conklin and Jack Allen. Along with playmaker Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings. On the defensive side, the team lost key players in Shilique Calhoun and safety, RJ Williamson. Losing solid players like these can cripple a program and force some into “rebuilding” mode.
However, coach Dantonio is just as confident in this group as he has been any of his other groups.
“I think we have the players in place to be as good or better than last year, I do. We have some guys that are younger player that need to fill in.” Dantonio told mlive.com
Defensively the team hasn’t been The No Fly Zone defense we seen back in 2013, they’ve actually regressed in the past two seasons but still remain stout. I doubt the team will return to such dominance, the 2013 Spartans is something that doesn’t come along very often. Granted the team suffered injuries to Ed Davis and defensive backs Vayante Copeland and safety RJ Williamson. Even with those players healthy, No Fly Zone, junior league, maybe. But I digress.
This season defense will still be the focal point and it’s all on the shoulders of Jr. nose tackle, Malik McDowell and Sr. linebacker, Riley Bullough.
Michigan State’s defense
The front seven of MSU looks solid. McDowell will still play well, even though offensive lines will try and double team him more.
The concern is in the secondary. In 14 games last season, MSU allowed 350 yards per game, 26th in the FBS. While the team was solid in stopping the run, 11th overall in the FBS, they were 76th in passing yards allowed per game. The secondary gave up more than 285 passing yards in seven games.
Copeland can help the secondary but he isn’t superman and we haven’t seen him since week two of last season. So, he could return as if he hasn’t missed a beat or he can play like he hasn’t played since week two of 2015. Players like Darian Hicks, Demetrious Cox and Montae Nicholson have to make opposing quarterbacks work for their yards. Often times last season against mediocre teams, MSU’s secondary looked a step or three behind.
Tightening up the play of the secondary will only make the d-line’s job that much easier.
Michigan State’s offense
If we’re being honest, no clue how Sr. quarterback, Tyler O’Connor is going to play. He could be really good or make you want to jump off the highest building you can gain access to. The only time we’ve seen O’Connor is in the Ohio State win. Even in that game, it was a slugfest that involved a lot of running. We didn’t see a lot of him, right now all we know is he can scramble and hand the ball of well. We also know he beat out junior Damien Terry for the starting spot.
I’ll look at it as a blessing that nobody knows what to expect of O’Connor, including opponents.
The better question is, how short of a leash will O’Connor have? Terry doesn’t have the “experience” O’Connor has but you have to imagine, should O’Connor struggle early, will coach D make the switch.
Running and catching the ball, MSU should have no problems there. Running backs, LJ Scott and Madre London can handle the workload should quarterback be an issue. The receiving core isn’t as flashy as years past, but Felton Davis, RJ Shelton and Josiah Price and others will be amicable.
The offensive line could be “ehh”, only time will tell. Losing Conklin, Allen and Donovan Clark is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Special teams
Aside from the heroic effort against the University of Michigan, MSU’s special teams was an interesting to say the least. The team averaged 3.38 yards per punt return and netted 35.1 yards per punt last season.
Field position plays a big part on any level of football. Having good field position for an unknown quarterback and offensive line will be huge. The running backs are work horses but you still have to throw the ball occasionally and throwing is always easier when you aren’t constantly starting at your own 20.
Prediction
Since taking over as head coach nine seasons ago, Dantonio has done a complete 180 of MSU’s program. Making them a powerhouse on both sides of the ball. I expect this year to be no different. I can admit I’m biased with this program. I invested all my student loans in them and I’m pretty sure I still owe the registrar’s office $300 for a short term loan but that’s neither here nor there.
12-2 record. The only challenges coming from Ohio State and Notre Dame.
The Corner Three 