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Big 10 Preview: Michigan State Spartans
By Louis Papa | August 19, 2008
Can Mark D’Antonio rebuild the in-state rivalry and get the Spartan faithful believing they are relevant again? It’s a tall task given the annual start strong in September and wilt in late October and November theme that John L Smith built in 5 seasons. Last year’s 7-6 (3-5 in Big 10) season culminated in a Champs Sports Bowl loss to Boston College and this season is littered with question marks. The Spartans return 11 starters from last year’s team.
Let’s begin with the good news. The electrifying, game breaking Javon Ringer is back at runningback in East Lansing. In a split carry system last year, he amassed 1,447 yards and 6 touchdowns. Look for those numbers to improve dramatically barring injury. Ringer should find the end zone 10+ times in 2008.
Senior quarterback Brian Hoyer returns. You could be worse off if you were to grab Hoyer as your #2 QB. Hoyer completed 223 of his 376 passes for 2,725 yards for 20 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. For his career, Hoyer owns a 26:14 TD:INT ratio.
Defensive standout Otis Wiley is making the move from free safety to strong safety, a year removed from a 4 INT campaign. He will lead the veteran secondary. The defense’s top 2 tacklers, LB Greg Jones and CB Kendell Davis-Clark, return for this season. Kicker Brent Swenson is also back. He went 52/52 in extra points but was a meager 13/20 in field goals.
Wheels fall off: Graduation and NFL departures are going to make a significant impact this year. FB Jehuu Caulcrick (over 800 yards and 21 TDs), TE Kellen Davis (513 yards and 6 TDs) and of course record setting WR Devin Thomas 79 rec, 1200+ yards and 8 scores are all gone. Also, do not lose sight over the departures of pass-rushing savants, Jonal Saint-Dic and Ervin Baldwin, who combined for 18 ½ sacks in 2007.
Filling in the blanks at the skill positions: The Spartans (especially QB Hoyer) will hope and pray that incoming freshman Fred Smith, #34 ranked WR by Scouts.com and a 3 year starter at Southeastern High School in Detroit, will be this year’s home run threat. Keep your eye on him as a potential free agent pickup in weeks 3 or 4 of your season. At the runningback position, (sleeper pick #2, don’t forget Stephon Green from Penn State) Caulton Ray, ranked #68 by Scouts.com, from Bloomfield, MI, where he played at Brother Rice High School, should be asked to fill the void of Caulcrick. It appears Ray may have what it takes to run inside and in zone schemes. Not worth a draft pick unless you are deep at RB already.
The significant losses from the offensive playmakers may turn the East Lansing faithful into perennial attendees at the Champs Sports Bowl. It is really difficult to see the Spartans being significantly better than last year’s 7-6 mark. More of the same in year 2 of the D’Antonio experiment.
Topics: Big 10, College Football, Louis Papa, Preview |
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