Brian Bennett, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Michigan State Spartans preview

Little brother no more, MSU has ridden its all-world D and run-the-ball-down-your-throat O to two straight top-five finishes. The Spartans now count themselves among the nation’s elite, but will that translate to a playoff spot? Dates against Oregon and Ohio State—last year’s championship combatants—hold the key.

Offense

How the Spartans beat you: MSU achieved a rare kind of balance in 2014, averaging 235-plus yards per game on the ground and in the air. The Spartans were one of just three FBS squads to reach those marks, along with Ohio State and Marshall; it’s a feat they owe in no small part to their O-line. Anchored by potential first-round pick LT Jack Conklin, a junior, and Rimington Trophy finalist senior C Jack Allen, the group allowed 11 sacks last year (No. 4 in the FBS) and 52 TFL (No. 5). And while there’s no sugarcoating the loss of Jeremy Langford (1,400-plus yards rushing in ’13 and ’14 each), those clean pockets and unclogged lanes will ease the transition for a new crop of RBs to take over the Spartans’ run-first attack: shifty redshirt freshman Madre London, physical sophomore Gerald Holmes and incoming frosh LJ Scott, who coach Mark Dantonio has said will immediately compete for playing time.

How you beat the Spartans: Sure, senior QB Connor Cook boasts 26 career starts. Yes, his 81.2 QBR in 2014 ranked No. 7 in the FBS, and his 8.8 ypa was No. 9. Defenses won’t like lining up against him, but there’s one glimmer of hope. Especially when flushed from the pocket, Cook can trust his arm too much, forcing throws and gifting INTs in the process.

Defense

How the Spartans beat you: Try to run on the Spartans, they dare you. Nine teams failed to log 100 yards rushing against Michigan State last year, the highest mark in the country. The D stuffed 31.7 percent of all runs for zero or negative yards (No. 6 in the FBS). And it held opponents to just 37 plays of 10-plus yards on the ground (No. 1). In related news, the Spartans’ D faced the fewest rush plays of any team in ’14—by a mile. MSU opponents ran 363 times. The next lowest total? Boston College’s 399. Senior DE Shilique Calhoun (12½ TFL) passed on the draft to return to East Lansing, and he plays a huge part in scaring offenses away from the rush. But so does the Spartans’ scheme, which bunches the cornerbacks and safeties close to the line of scrimmage, and it will do so even with defensive mastermind Pat Narduzzi off to Pitt. In other words, maybe don’t try to run on the Spartans.

How you beat the Spartans: The Spartans’ DBs are often on an island, leaving them vulnerable to teams that can hit deep throws against single coverage or bust the seam down the middle with speed. Few squads claim the personnel to pull this off, but—unfortunately for MSU, which returns two starting DBs but loses the last of its No Fly Zone unit—both the Ducks and Bucks do.

^ Back to Top ^