Following a 7-5 2001 season -- including a 44-35 victory over Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Bowl -- Michigan State has its sights set on the lofty goal of winning the 2002 Big Ten championship.
After getting out to a 5-2 start last year, coach Bobby Williams' Spartans dropped three of their last four regular-season games, including setbacks to Indiana and Penn State (both were out of the bowl equation). How can a team that was so mediocre down the stretch last season vault to the top of the Big Ten?
OFFENSE
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| Spartans QB Jeff Smoker will be handing off to a new featured back this year. |
For starters, the Spartans have what could be the top pass-catch tandem in college football, with junior QB Jeff Smoker throwing to gifted junior wideout Charles Rogers. Smoker finished sixth in the country last year in passing efficiency and appears poised to make his mark as the best Michigan State quarterback since Earl Morrall in the mid 1950s. At 6-foot-2½ and 210 pounds, Smoker completed an impressive 63 percent of his aerials last season while tossing 21 TDs (and eight interceptions).
When he turns the ball over, Smoker has demonstrated the old Drew Brees characteristic of not allowing interceptions to have an effect on the way he approaches the game. Rogers (6-4, 202) brings Randy Moss-type skills to the wideout position. An awesome natural athlete, Rogers also has a work ethic similar to that of future Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Rogers isn't motivated by breaking records; instead, he has his sights set on winning championships.
Former Spartan receivers include huge names such as Gene Washington, Kirk Gibson, Andre Rison and Plaxico Burress. But there's no question that Rogers is prepared to make his mark as the best wide receiver to have worn an MSU uniform. Proof that he takes pride in his craft can be seen in the strides he's made as a downfield blocker.
With so much attention on Rogers, the Spartans' No. 2 receiver should prove to be key. B.J. Lovett, a former juco recruit, is being counted on to make a dramatic jump from his 10 catches last season. With depth a problem at this spot, major contributions could come from freshmen Kyle Brown and versatile Agim Shabaj. Brown was the Spartans' most acclaimed recruit at receiver, while Shabaj (5-10, 188) could see time right away as a kickoff returner, looking to make up for the graduation loss of Herb Haygood.
At tight end, Chris Baker was an integral part of the MSU pass offense last season (40 receptions, 13.7-yard average, four TDs). But he's now a member of the New York Jets, leaving this spot open for competition. Sophomore Eric Knott checks in at 6-3 and 257 pounds while displaying fairly good speed and soft hands. He's vying with sophomore Jason Randall and redshirt freshman Ryan Woods. Considering Baker's contributions, watch the tight-end derby closely. How damaging will his graduation loss be? Or will one of these youngsters step up?
In the backfield, the Spartans have to deal with their most critical loss to the NFL: T.J. Duckett's decision to leave East Lansing after a junior campaign in which he rushed for 150-plus yards on four occasions. Senior Dawan Moss will be asked to pick up the slack. Moss has shifted from fullback to tailback, dropping his weight from 258 to 236 pounds in an effort to upgrade his quickness. In August, this year's prize recruit arrives: physically talented David Richard (6-2, 233). Highly touted coming in, Richard has Duckett's size and rugged style. With Moss on hand there's less pressure on Richard, but the Spartans hope the freshman will be a key part of the equation.
A huge plus for the Spartans is the return of all five starters on the offensive line. This group has worked together for two years, making this potentially the most cohesive line in the country. In addition to the experience, there's star power up front in junior C Brian Ottney and sophomore RG William Whitticker. One of the team's leaders, Ottney takes a back seat to no one when it comes to tenacity and work ethic. Whitticker (6-5, 303) brings top-echelon skill and has few peers physically.
DEFENSE
On defense, MSU must develop the pass-rush ability that has been lacking since Julian Peterson moved on to the San Francisco 49ers following the 1999 season. For this reason, coach Williams and defensive coordinator Bill Miller are hoping that sophomores Kevin Vickerson and Matthias Askew are ready to take their performance to a new level this year.
Checking in at an imposing 6-4½ and 287 pounds, Vickerson began to flash big-time ability late last season, particularly against Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Bowl. Askew, who shifted from tackle to end late during spring practice, shows exceptional quickness and speed for a 6-5½, 289-pounder.
MLB Josh Thornhill, who signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent, closed out his brilliant stay in East Lansing with nearly 400 career tackles. Making up for his loss is critical to the Spartans' success on D this season. Hard-nosed, versatile junior Mike Labinjo could work some at the mike-man spot. Growing up in Canada, Labinjo excelled in hockey and came to MSU as a fullback/tailback. Last season, he paced the Spartan defense with 17 tackles for loss and five sacks. So expect Labinjo to spend time at various positions to maximize his speed and knack for the impact play.
If Vickerson, Askew, Labinjo, junior DE Greg Taplin and junior DT Kyle Rasmussen are able to generate heat on opposing QBs, the Spartans could field the top-rated secondary in the Big Ten. MSU's deep patrol is strengthened by the return of senior CB Cedric Henry, who sat out the 2001 season after being declared academically ineligible. Henry was a preseason All-Big Ten choice last year. He'll work opposite fellow senior Broderick Nelson, with talented sophomore Roderick Maples ranking as a blue-chip nickel back.
Against Fresno State, Maples intercepted a David Carr pass, broke up two others and had eight tackles. Senior SS Thomas Wright has lots of experience, although I felt he performed at a higher level as a sophomore in 2000. Sophomore Robert Flagg will open at free safety after making his mark on special teams last year. Quality depth is supplied by sophomore Jason Harmon, who has also worked at cornerback.
Sophomore Dave Raynor finished 8-of-14 on field goals last season (just 1-of-4 from 40 yards or more). But the former high school soccer player has the necessary leg strength and is learning to deal with wind and adverse weather conditions. The punting situation, though, is an area of concern. Gone is four-year punter Craig Jarrett, who was a sixth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. Junior Michael Servis, a kickoff guy at times last year, will have first crack at the punting job. Also, don't rule out freshman Brandon Fields. MSU went with a freshman punter before Jarrett.
OVERVIEW
For the first time since 1969, the Spartans will be playing on a grass surface. Now, every school in the Big Ten that has an outdoor stadium has gone to grass. Minnesota, with home games in the Metrodome, is the only school left using turf. If the Spartans are to close out the 2002 season on the grass surface of the Rose Bowl as the Big Ten champs, it figures to hinge on two key areas: Are Dawan Moss and David Richard the answer at tailback? And will the pass rush, which has been lacking, be upgraded with youngsters Vickerson and Askew?
The Spartans are led by a top-flight QB (Smoker) and a superior WR (Rogers). Lovett's emergence as a solid No. 2 option at wideout is key. MSU also needs production from the new TE, be it Knott or Randall. Besides an improved pass rush, MSU must make up for Thornhill's graduation loss at MLB. Remember, he finished his career with an amazing 395 tackles. In the secondary, Henry's return figures to provide a major upgrade.
Michigan State can't afford any major breakdowns with the punting game, so adequately replacing Jarrett is critical. The schedule, meanwhile, appears tailor-made for success. There are eight home games at extremely loud Spartan Stadium -- including the first five against Eastern Michigan, Rice, California, Notre Dame and Northwestern. And there's a week off to prepare for the Big Ten road opener Oct. 12 against Iowa.
