2011 Michigan State Spartans Game Preview
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Preface
Saturday marks the beginning of B1G conference play. Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 1913, Ohio State is 72-22-4 in conference openers, including last year's vacated win.
Luke Fickell will be the first Ohio State coach to face a defending Big Ten champion in his conference opener (Michigan State) since the Buckeyes began Big Ten competition in 1913.
Ohio State's four October opponents are currently ranked in the Coaches poll (Sparty #25, Nebraska #8, Wisconsin #7, and Illinois #22). The Buckeyes haven't faced 4 consecutive ranked opponents in the same regular season since 1959.
Here are the only times that tOSU has played 4 straight ranked opponents:
2003 season - #14 Sparty, #11 Purdue, #8 TSUN, and #5 Kansas State (Fiesta Bowl). tOSU won all except The Game
1998-1999 - #11 TSUN, #8 Texas A&M (Sugar Bowl), #12 Miami, and #14 UCLA. tOSU went 3-1, losing to Miami
1994-1995 - #15 TSUN, #6 Alabama (Citrus Bowl), #22 Boston College, and #18 Washington. tOSU went 3-1, losing to Bama
1985-1986 - #6 TSUN, #9 BYU (Citrus Bowl), #5 Alabama, and #17 Washington. BYU was the only tOSU win
1959 season - #11 Southern Cal, #20 Illinois, #6 Purdue, and #12 Wisconsin. Purdue was the only Buckeye win
1958 season - #13 Wisconsin, #11 Northwestern, #8 Purdue , and #2 Iowa. tOSU beat Iowa, lost to NW'ern, and tied the other two
The last time the Buckeyes played three straight ranked teams in the same season was 2005, with #21 Iowa, #16 Penn State, and #16 Sparty. The Buckeyes went 2-1, falling to JoePa's boys in the middle game.
This is the 40th football meeting between the Spartans and Buckeyes; Ohio State leads the series 27-12, and has won seven in a row. Michigan State has not won in Columbus since the 1998 season when Ohio State was No. 1.
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator from 2001-03. An interesting matchup will occur in special teams this week, since Sparty's STs are coached by Mike Tressel, who is the son of tOSU Special Teams coach Dick. The two normally don't interact during a game week when facing each other, but an exception was made for Mike's birthday on Wednesday, when the father sent a text message and received a response. Presumably no blocking or coverage schemes were mentioned.
Only four jersey numbers have been retired in the 113-year history of Michigan State football: No. 78 worn by All-America tackle Don Coleman, No. 90 worn by All-America roverback George Webster, No. 46 in honor of former MSU President John Hannah and No. 95 worn by All-America defensive end Charles 'Bubba' Smith.
Spartan head coach Biggie Munn (1947-53) pulled Coleman's No. 78 out of circulation in 1952. Munn called Coleman, a consensus All-American in 1951, 'the finest lineman ever to play for Michigan State.' Coleman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975. Webster, a two-time All-American, had his No. 90 retired by head
coach Duffy Daugherty in 1967. "George Webster is not only the finest football player I've ever seen but he symbolizes our great 1965 and '66 teams." Webster was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Daugherty retired the No. 46 in 1969 as a tribute to Dr. Hannah, who stepped down after 46 years of service to the University including 28 years as its president (1941-69). Hannah championed Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten Conference in 1949. On Sept. 23, 2006, Smith became just the third player in Michigan State football history to have his jersey number (No. 95) retired. His jersey retirement was part of a special program to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1966 'Game of the Century' between the second-ranked Spartans and top-ranked Notre Dame that ended in a 10-10 tie.
Former Michigan State All-Americans and College Football Hall of Famers Brad Van Pelt and John Pingel had their names added to Spartan Stadium's "Ring of Fame" prior to MSU's 2010 home game against Notre Dame. As MSU's latest inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2011), Gene Washington's name will be added to Spartan Stadium's "Ring of Fame" at the Oct. 22 Homecoming game against Wisconsin. He will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in New York City this December. Washington joins Spartan legends Coleman, Webster, Hannah, Smith, Van Pelt, and Pingel on the "Ring of Fame."
This contest means a lot to both teams, and presumably Mark Dantonio has somebody splicing together film clips from the 1974 and 1998 MSU-tOSU games within scenes from the movie 300. As almost all Buckeye fans know, Mark was the DC on tOSU's National Championship team in 2002. After leading Cincinnati from 2004 through 2006, he took over the Spartans for the 2007 season. His 11-2 record last season earned him the Big Ten's Dave McClain Coach of the Year Award.
It's interesting to note that Michigan State has been voted #1 in the weekly AP football poll an impressive 29 times, a figure rather close to the total of 34 times for TSUN (by comparison, tOSU is at 94, behind only Oklahoma's 101 and Notre Dame's 95). However, the Spartans have only produced four 10-win seasons in their history (1905, '65, '99, and 2010), while the Wolverines have had double-digit victory totals 25 times. Why the discrepancy between those figures? It's all related to timing; most teams started playing an 11-game regular season in the early 1970s, before then it took a nearly unblemished record to reach 10 wins.
Under Clarence "Biggie" Munn from '47 to '53, MSU was 54-9-2 (.846), the highest percentage for any Spartan coach since World War I. He was succeeded by Duffy Daugherty, whose 109-69-5 (.609) mark includes the most wins for any MSU head man. Each won a national title for Sparty, winning Coaches Poll national titles in 1952 and 1965. It's worth noting that the #1 spot in the year-end Coaches Poll, which started in 1950, has never gone to the team from Ann Arbor.
The Spartans were an excellent team from the 1950s through 1966, winning those two major poll National Championships, plus a piece of one in the 1966 season that ended in the 10-10 tie with Notre Dame in one of the 'Games of the Century'. That 1966 team was led by Spartan legends George Webster, who died in 2007, and Bubba Smith, who just passed away in August.
But since 1966, they have only had 2 seasons since then where they finished in the top 10: 1987's 8th-ranked 9-2-1 squad and 1999's 7th-ranked 10-2 team.
There are some interesting historical facts regarding the Spartans. They actually had no football team in 1943 because of World War II; that's the only non-football season among current Big Ten members since 1907. The last time MSU had a perfect season was their National Championship year of 1952, the year before they joined the Big-10 Conference. In 58 years as a member, they've won 3 outright Big Ten titles: '65, '66, and '87 (their last Rose Bowl season), and shared four others, including last year.
Maybe in about 20 years most of us will no longer be ticked off by what happened the the #1 Buckeyes on November 7, 1998, but probably not. Having just watched that game this week, it's still a very painful memory. That game in itself is enough of a reason to want the Buckeyes to drill the Spartans every time the teams meet over the next couple of decades. Some fans may still be having nightmares about Plaxico Burress and Julian Peterson. In an interesting and irritating note, 1998 was the only one of Nick Saban's five MSU teams that didn't go to a bowl game.
But there's also another game like that for the longer-term fans - 1974. Woody took the boys up to East Lansing as a clear #1 in the polls, and finished the day with a 16-13 loss; after ending up in the end zone on the last play of the day (as well as the play before, according to Buckeye fans and the pictures in The Lantern that Monday). It took the referees and Big-10 commissioner Wayne Duke over 20 minutes to declare MSU the winner, since there was an offensive penalty and confusion by the referees on the last play.
History shows that tOSU responded well against the Spartans after that 1974 game. Eight straight wins, and 13 out of 15, until that game 13 years ago that also knocked tOSU from the #1 ranking. Let's hope the team is still responding to 1998 (a loss in '99, but 7 straight wins since then).
1974 and 1998. Two reasons to be wary whenever tOSU battles the Spartans.
Later in this preview, we'll look specifically at this year's offense, defense and special teams for both tOSU and Sparty. The preview also has a totally separate section that covers the opponent's coaching staff, recruiting, traditions, and history. It also contains the Behind the Numbers and The Lighter Side sections, and can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
Date and TimeLuke Fickell will be the first Ohio State coach to face a defending Big Ten champion in his conference opener (Michigan State) since the Buckeyes began Big Ten competition in 1913.
Ohio State's four October opponents are currently ranked in the Coaches poll (Sparty #25, Nebraska #8, Wisconsin #7, and Illinois #22). The Buckeyes haven't faced 4 consecutive ranked opponents in the same regular season since 1959.
Here are the only times that tOSU has played 4 straight ranked opponents:
2003 season - #14 Sparty, #11 Purdue, #8 TSUN, and #5 Kansas State (Fiesta Bowl). tOSU won all except The Game
1998-1999 - #11 TSUN, #8 Texas A&M (Sugar Bowl), #12 Miami, and #14 UCLA. tOSU went 3-1, losing to Miami
1994-1995 - #15 TSUN, #6 Alabama (Citrus Bowl), #22 Boston College, and #18 Washington. tOSU went 3-1, losing to Bama
1985-1986 - #6 TSUN, #9 BYU (Citrus Bowl), #5 Alabama, and #17 Washington. BYU was the only tOSU win
1959 season - #11 Southern Cal, #20 Illinois, #6 Purdue, and #12 Wisconsin. Purdue was the only Buckeye win
1958 season - #13 Wisconsin, #11 Northwestern, #8 Purdue , and #2 Iowa. tOSU beat Iowa, lost to NW'ern, and tied the other two
The last time the Buckeyes played three straight ranked teams in the same season was 2005, with #21 Iowa, #16 Penn State, and #16 Sparty. The Buckeyes went 2-1, falling to JoePa's boys in the middle game.
This is the 40th football meeting between the Spartans and Buckeyes; Ohio State leads the series 27-12, and has won seven in a row. Michigan State has not won in Columbus since the 1998 season when Ohio State was No. 1.
Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator from 2001-03. An interesting matchup will occur in special teams this week, since Sparty's STs are coached by Mike Tressel, who is the son of tOSU Special Teams coach Dick. The two normally don't interact during a game week when facing each other, but an exception was made for Mike's birthday on Wednesday, when the father sent a text message and received a response. Presumably no blocking or coverage schemes were mentioned.
Only four jersey numbers have been retired in the 113-year history of Michigan State football: No. 78 worn by All-America tackle Don Coleman, No. 90 worn by All-America roverback George Webster, No. 46 in honor of former MSU President John Hannah and No. 95 worn by All-America defensive end Charles 'Bubba' Smith.
Spartan head coach Biggie Munn (1947-53) pulled Coleman's No. 78 out of circulation in 1952. Munn called Coleman, a consensus All-American in 1951, 'the finest lineman ever to play for Michigan State.' Coleman was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975. Webster, a two-time All-American, had his No. 90 retired by head
coach Duffy Daugherty in 1967. "George Webster is not only the finest football player I've ever seen but he symbolizes our great 1965 and '66 teams." Webster was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Daugherty retired the No. 46 in 1969 as a tribute to Dr. Hannah, who stepped down after 46 years of service to the University including 28 years as its president (1941-69). Hannah championed Michigan State's acceptance into the Big Ten Conference in 1949. On Sept. 23, 2006, Smith became just the third player in Michigan State football history to have his jersey number (No. 95) retired. His jersey retirement was part of a special program to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1966 'Game of the Century' between the second-ranked Spartans and top-ranked Notre Dame that ended in a 10-10 tie.
Former Michigan State All-Americans and College Football Hall of Famers Brad Van Pelt and John Pingel had their names added to Spartan Stadium's "Ring of Fame" prior to MSU's 2010 home game against Notre Dame. As MSU's latest inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2011), Gene Washington's name will be added to Spartan Stadium's "Ring of Fame" at the Oct. 22 Homecoming game against Wisconsin. He will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in New York City this December. Washington joins Spartan legends Coleman, Webster, Hannah, Smith, Van Pelt, and Pingel on the "Ring of Fame."
This contest means a lot to both teams, and presumably Mark Dantonio has somebody splicing together film clips from the 1974 and 1998 MSU-tOSU games within scenes from the movie 300. As almost all Buckeye fans know, Mark was the DC on tOSU's National Championship team in 2002. After leading Cincinnati from 2004 through 2006, he took over the Spartans for the 2007 season. His 11-2 record last season earned him the Big Ten's Dave McClain Coach of the Year Award.
It's interesting to note that Michigan State has been voted #1 in the weekly AP football poll an impressive 29 times, a figure rather close to the total of 34 times for TSUN (by comparison, tOSU is at 94, behind only Oklahoma's 101 and Notre Dame's 95). However, the Spartans have only produced four 10-win seasons in their history (1905, '65, '99, and 2010), while the Wolverines have had double-digit victory totals 25 times. Why the discrepancy between those figures? It's all related to timing; most teams started playing an 11-game regular season in the early 1970s, before then it took a nearly unblemished record to reach 10 wins.
Under Clarence "Biggie" Munn from '47 to '53, MSU was 54-9-2 (.846), the highest percentage for any Spartan coach since World War I. He was succeeded by Duffy Daugherty, whose 109-69-5 (.609) mark includes the most wins for any MSU head man. Each won a national title for Sparty, winning Coaches Poll national titles in 1952 and 1965. It's worth noting that the #1 spot in the year-end Coaches Poll, which started in 1950, has never gone to the team from Ann Arbor.
The Spartans were an excellent team from the 1950s through 1966, winning those two major poll National Championships, plus a piece of one in the 1966 season that ended in the 10-10 tie with Notre Dame in one of the 'Games of the Century'. That 1966 team was led by Spartan legends George Webster, who died in 2007, and Bubba Smith, who just passed away in August.
But since 1966, they have only had 2 seasons since then where they finished in the top 10: 1987's 8th-ranked 9-2-1 squad and 1999's 7th-ranked 10-2 team.
There are some interesting historical facts regarding the Spartans. They actually had no football team in 1943 because of World War II; that's the only non-football season among current Big Ten members since 1907. The last time MSU had a perfect season was their National Championship year of 1952, the year before they joined the Big-10 Conference. In 58 years as a member, they've won 3 outright Big Ten titles: '65, '66, and '87 (their last Rose Bowl season), and shared four others, including last year.
Maybe in about 20 years most of us will no longer be ticked off by what happened the the #1 Buckeyes on November 7, 1998, but probably not. Having just watched that game this week, it's still a very painful memory. That game in itself is enough of a reason to want the Buckeyes to drill the Spartans every time the teams meet over the next couple of decades. Some fans may still be having nightmares about Plaxico Burress and Julian Peterson. In an interesting and irritating note, 1998 was the only one of Nick Saban's five MSU teams that didn't go to a bowl game.
But there's also another game like that for the longer-term fans - 1974. Woody took the boys up to East Lansing as a clear #1 in the polls, and finished the day with a 16-13 loss; after ending up in the end zone on the last play of the day (as well as the play before, according to Buckeye fans and the pictures in The Lantern that Monday). It took the referees and Big-10 commissioner Wayne Duke over 20 minutes to declare MSU the winner, since there was an offensive penalty and confusion by the referees on the last play.
History shows that tOSU responded well against the Spartans after that 1974 game. Eight straight wins, and 13 out of 15, until that game 13 years ago that also knocked tOSU from the #1 ranking. Let's hope the team is still responding to 1998 (a loss in '99, but 7 straight wins since then).
1974 and 1998. Two reasons to be wary whenever tOSU battles the Spartans.
Later in this preview, we'll look specifically at this year's offense, defense and special teams for both tOSU and Sparty. The preview also has a totally separate section that covers the opponent's coaching staff, recruiting, traditions, and history. It also contains the Behind the Numbers and The Lighter Side sections, and can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.
Date: Saturday, October 1st, 2011
Time: 3:30 ET Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events:
Time: 3:30 ET Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events:
Broadcast Information: TV Broadcast: ABC: Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analysis), and Heather Cox (sideline).
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS FM 97.1 The Fan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline); the game can also be heard live on Sirius satellite radio channel 91 and also XM 91.
2011 Michigan State Spartans Offensive Preview
2011 Michigan State Spartans Offensive Preview
The Michigan State Spartans should be primed for one of their best runs in school history, coming off of their first 11 win season and only their fourth double digit win season. Head Coach Mark Dantonio and OC Dan Roushar find themselves with what many would consider an embarrassment of riches at the skill positions. They have a battle-tested senior captain for a QB, a 1-2-3 running back punch that brings back memories of the recent "Thunder and Lightning" era, 2 senior TEs and the man at WR who will leave the school with most of its major receiving records. The also have 2 returning starters at guard and are coming off of a very successful 11-2 season. Yet it is hard not to feel like something is missing here. Despite these players, and despite what should be one of the most potent offenses in the B1G, Michigan State was a middling offense last year, and through 1/3 of this season's schedule they are a middle-of-the-pack offense again. They have a bit of an unorthodox style by today's spread option era standards, running fullbacks and a bunch of TEs out to ground out yards and then throwing downfield with play action passes from a relatively immobile QB. Yet one could argue that the Spartans just aren't firing on all cylinders. Whether that is due to players or playcalling or scheme, the Spartans face a tough test going up against a Buckeye defense eager to defend their home turf and building plenty of early season momentum. The loser of this game may very well be out of their respective division hunt early, so the Spartans will have to resemble the team that dominated Florida Atlantic and Central Michigan, and not the one struggling against FCS foes and losing to Notre Dame.
A bevy of seniors at the skill positions has not translated into offensive firepower enough in 2011, because like last season, Michigan State is a middle-of-the-pack offense thus far this year. The Spartans currently rank 52nd in total offense with 417.3 YPG. Within that is 283.5 passing yards per game (37th) and 143,3 rushing yards per game (65th). Their 32.5 points per game thus far ranks them 47th nationally. Michigan State has moved the ball, ranking T16 with 93 first downs through 4 games, but has not sustained drives, converting just 38.6% of their third down chances, good for only 74th. They haven't taken a lot of sacks (5) or thrown a lot of INTs, indicative of senior leadership at the QB position. There is little doubt that the Spartans are loaded with talent at the skill spots, but a relatively inexperienced line and some shaky playcalling may keep them from reaching their full potential. After already taking a loss to Notre Dame, the Spartans face a direction-of-the-season type game this Saturday. Look for the Spartan offense to give their best effort, led by all of those seniors.
Quarterbacks
QB #8 Kirk Cousins (6-3, 205, SR, Holland Christian HS, Holland, MI)
Cousins led Michigan State to their first 11 win season in school history last year, was honorable mention all-conference, and was a semi-finalist for the Davey O'Brien award. He is just one of 2 3x captains in school history, which shows everything anyone needs to know about his leadership ability. After getting his feet wet in 2008, he had a good sophomore campaign, throwing for 2680 and 19 TDs, and then improved upon those numbers in 2010, throwing for 2825 yards and 20 TDs. He is on a similar course this season. He has about a 2/1 TD/INT ratio (19/9 and 20/10 over the last 2 years) and doesn't take a lot of sacks, totaling only 32 over the last 2 years. He completed over 80% of his passes the first 2 games and threw for over 300 yards against Notre Dame, though he also tossed a costly interception and the team came up short. He has 19 wins as a starter, which trails Jeff Smoker by just 2 for the school record. The only time he has seen the Buckeyes was as a freshman in 2008, when he threw for 161 yards, a TD and an INT as Ohio State dominated 45-7. He is clearly not the wide-eyed freshman he was back then, and he will no doubt relish the challenge of facing the Buckeye defense once more before his career is concluded.
Backing up Cousins is sophomore Andrew Maxwell (#10). He is built similarly to Cousins and has played only sporadically in his career thus far, going 14/19 this year after being 11/25 last year. He is a potential future starter, but if Cousins goes down with an injury the Spartans will see a significant drop-off.
QB Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Michigan State QB versus OSU QB
Cousins: 81/117 (69.2%), 947 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs, 147.9 rating; 8/-38, 0 TDs
Miller: 15/29 (51.7%), 235 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 147.0 rating; 30/145, 0 TDs
Cousins is a very good player and operates a high quality offense despite not being able to run much, unlike many of his modern day counterparts at the position. He is durable, dependable, doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and he has a good arm. Being only the second 3-time captain in school history says a lot about his leadership, character, and quality of play. After being honorable mention all-B1G last year and one of 16 semi-finalists for the Davey O'Brien award, he is looking to improve on his performance for the third straight year and contend for postseason honors. His counterpart in this game Braxton Miller had his first start last week and loved the offense pretty well, though his passing reads and progressions are a work in progress. He did make a couple of nice TD throws and he can clearly break a big gain with his legs. He may reach the level of Cousins or pass him in the future, but right now the steady and dependable senior captain gets the edge.
Edge: Michigan State
Running Backs
TB #4 Edwin Baker (5-9, 210, JR, Oak Park HS, Highland Park, MI)
FB #42 Todd Anderson (6-2, 265, SR, Napoleon HS, Napoleon, MI)
Baker is the leading returning rusher in the B1G, having gained over 1200 yards and scoring 13 TDs last year on the way to being named first team all-B1G by the media. He has gotten off to a bit of a slow start this year, as he has just 75 yards on less than 3 yards per carry over his last 2 games, and a high of only 91 in the opener. Still that might be a reflection of flux along the line more than anything, and is not an indictment of his talent or playmaking ability. He is tough but elusive and has a good burst to break a big play. He is not a big factor in the passing game, however (14 career receptions), or he could be doing even more damage. With 4 receptions thus far this season, he might be adding more of that to his repertoire. As a junior, he is still learning the nuances of the position and last season he proved against Minnesota (179 yards, 4 TDs) that he could already dominate a game. His potential seems limitless if he keeps working hard and the line in front of him blocks a bit more effectively.
The Spartans are as deep and talented as any team in the B1G at this position. Primary backup Le'Veon Bell (#24) is a punishing runner (6-3, 237) who leads the team in yards (217), yards per carry (5.7) and TDs (6) thus far in 2011. He gained 81 yards and scored 3 TDs on just 8 carries last week against Central Michigan, so he appears to be a star on the rise and could see quite a bit of time against the Buckeyes. He earned many all-freshman accolades last year and appears to be a future all-conference performer. Steady junior Larry Caper (#22) is another bruiser (5-11, 223) who could start for many teams, and freshman Nick Hill (#20) is a jitterbug who got hurt early last season but could wreak plenty of havoc in the future.
RB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Michigan State RB versus OSU RB
Baker: 50/216 yards, 1 TD, 4.3 YPC; 4 rec/43 yards, 0 TDs, 10.8 YPR
Bell: 38/217 yards, 6 TDs, 5.7 YPC; 6 rec/40 yards, 0 TDs, 6.7 YPR
Caper: 24/101 yards, 1 TD, 4.2 YPC; 8 rec/77 yards, 1 TD, 9.6 YPR
Hyde: 57/263 yards, 3 TDs, 4.6 YPC; 6 rec/51 yards, 0 TDs, 8.5 YPR
Hall: 32/171 yards, 1 TD, 5.3 YPC; 1 rec/4 yards, 0 TDs, 4.0 YPR
Smith: 29/116 yards, 1 TD, 4.0 YPC; 2 rec/15 yards, 0 TDs, 7.5 YPR
The Spartans have a rotation of backs that is the envy of everyone not named Wisconsin in the conference. Bell might actually be more dangerous than Baker, and together they make up one of the better 1-2 tandems in the nation. Depth is no concern because Caper is also a high quality player, plays a lot on third down, and is a threat in the passing game (8 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD thus far). The Buckeyes have their own share of talent and depth at the position, and what Buckeye fans have seen from Hyde, Hall and Smith thus far is very promising. But without Herron they still don't have the production history or experience of the Spartans.
Edge: Michigan State
Wide Receivers
WR-X #3 B.J. Cunningham (6-2, 215, SR, Westerville South HS, Westerville, OH)
WR-Z #82 Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189, SR, John Glenn HS, Inkster, MI)
Cunningham entered the season with 139 career receptions and 13 TDs, and he will likely leave with many of the school's career receiving records. The Columbus product is tall, fast, and has good size and good hands. He was honorable mention all-conference last year, and given the start he has gotten off to (29 receptions, 428 yards) where he is poised to shatter his own career marks for a season, he could be contending for top honors this year. He has already broken the 100 yard barrier twice, with 9 receptions for 130 yards in the opener and 12 for 158 yards against Notre Dame. The Spartans select a rotating captain for each game, and he will be the captain this weekend. On the other side, Martin has 8 career starts, including 2 this year. He is more of a downfield threat with a more sleek frame and a bit more speed. He has been good as a returner and special teams player and is looking to make a mark in his final season at receiver. He didnt catch a pass last week, but he had 2 good games before that and has 14 receptions on the year thus far, second on the team.
The top reserve is senior Keith Nichol (#7), who once upon a time was battling Cousins for the QB job after transferring from Oklahoma. Last year he played receiver full-time and caught 22 passes for 262 yards. He had 3 receptions last week and is a regular part of the rotation in every game. He brings experience as a WR and a QB to the position, which helps with the cerebral parts of playing the receiver spots. Beyond those 3 players, the contributions are sporadic, but seniors Chris Rucker (#16) and Brad Sonntag (#81) and freshmen Tony Lippett (#14) and Keith Mumphery (#25) all could see time and all make the occasional catch. If one of those players steps up, there is likely a more regular spot in the rotation waiting for them.
WR Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Michigan State WRs versus OSU WRs
Cunningham: 29 catches, 428 yards, 1 TD, 14.8 YPR
Martin: 14 catches, 132 yards, 0 TDs, 9.4 YPR
Nichol: 7 catches, 117 yards, 0 TDs, 16.7 YPR
Smith: 8 catches, 183 yards, 3 TDs, 22.9 YPR
Reed: 5 catches, 89 yards, 0 TDs, 17.8 YPR
Williams: 3 catches, 46 yards, 0 TDs, 15.3 YPR
Cunningham is one of the most consistent and experienced receivers in the conference, and he is off to a tremendous start in 2011. It is up to the other players around him to step up their productions so that defenses cannot key on him downfield with double-teams all game. Martin has big-play ability and Nichol is a steady possession-type receiver, so both could make solid contributions going forward. What they have in abundance is big game experience, something the Buckeyes are completely lacking until Posey comes back.
Edge: Michigan State
Tight Ends
TE #88 Brian Linthicum (6-5, 245, SR, St. Anne's-Belfield HS, St. Louis, MO)
TE #85 Garrett Celek (6-5, 252, SR, LaSalle HS, Cincinnati, OH)
TE #80 Dion Sims (6-5, 276, SO, Orchard Lake St. Mary's HS, Detroit, MI)
The Spartans will run a bunch of TEs out onto the field and will run a double set many times. Linthicum is a Clemson transfer who had 18 receptions last year and is athletic enough to get downfield and make a big play. He is also a decent blocker and has good size. Celek, Brent's brother, was injured after just 2 games last year but figures to play a more prominent role this season. He got the start last week and is more of a run blocker (and a good one), having caught only 1 pass thus far. Sims is a rising star and a frightening looking man for smaller DBs to see charging at him downfield because of his lineman-like size and quality speed. He appeared in every game as a true freshman in 2009 before redshirting last year and he leads the team with 3 TD receptions this year, as he poses a nightmare matchup for a defensive back 7, especially in the red zone. Fellow sophomore monster Derek Hoebing (#84, 6-7, 270) could also see time in blocking situations.
TE Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Michigan State TE versus OSU TE
Sims: 9 catches, 80 yards, 3 TDs, 8.9 YPR
Linthicum: 4 catches, 24 yards, 0 TDs, 6.0 YPR
Celek: 1 catch, 8 yards, 1 TD, 8.0 YPR
Stoneburner: 8 catches, 93 yards, 4 TDs, 11.6 YPR
Fragel: 4 catches, 44 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
The Spartans are deep and talented at this position, and utilize it often and effectively. Sims is a potential future All-American if he keeps working hard and the other two bring quality and stability to the position. Stoneburner started the season a house of fire, but has virtually disappeared from the receiving picture now that Bauserman is gone. Both he and Fragel are quality players, but the talent and depth edge go to the Spartans here.
Edge: Michigan State
Offensive Line
LT #59 Dan France (6-3, 315, SO, North Royalton HS, North Royalton, OH)
LG #67 Joel Foreman (6-4, 315, SR, Milford HS, Highland, MI)
C #63 Travis Jackson (6-3, 275, FR, St. Francis DeSales HS, New Albany, OH)
RG #62 Chris McDonald (6-5, 300, JR, Henry Ford II HS, Sterling Heights, MI)
RT #51 Fou Fonoti (6-4, 300, JR, Mayfair HS, Lakewood, CA)
Here is the spot where the Spartans have some real difficulties. Four of the 5 players who started the opener are no longer starting, or even on the 2-deep, mostly because of injuries. The only player to start all 4 games this season is McDonald at RG, which brings his career total to 16 starts, having started 12 games at RG in 2010. He is a two year letterman who has been a solid contributor. At the other guard position, Foreman is the rock of the OL with 39 career starts. He is a captain in 2011 and is poised to garner all-conference honors after being honorable mention last season. He is the first 4 year started on the line since the early 1990s and he is poised for a career in the NFL. The other 3 spots are much more questionable. At LT, France is a converted DT who has moved straight into the most important spot on the line, starting the past 3 games. He is an intelligent player with good size and mobility, despite being raw to the position at this level. At C, Jackson took over for Blake Treadwell last week. He is a young up-and-coming player who is a bit undersized for the B1G but is mobile and intelligent. At RT, Fonoti also cracked the starting lineup last week. He is a JUCO transfer who takes over for Skyler Burkland, who was lost for the season. He has good size and some good experience from his JUCO days.
Given the number of injuries the Spartans have experienced, the line is painfully thin. Juniors John Deyo (#71), and Ethan Ruhland (#68) man the guard spots, while a pair of sophomores, Micajah Reynolds (#60) and Henry Conway (#77) back up the tackle spots. Freshman Jack Allen (#66) is in the mix at center. None of these players have ever started a game, and their game experience is very limited.
The line is dreadfully thin, as Dannewitz and Tau are listed as primary backups at other positions (RT and RG, respectively). Other than Handler in the middle, the rest of the players on the 2-deep are freshmen, including Alexander Lewis (#71) and Paulay Asiata (#50). If they lose anyone to injury they could be in serious trouble.
OL Rating: C-
Head-to-Head: Michigan State OL versus OSU OL
The interior is in relatively good shape as long as Foreman and McDonald stay healthy. Having quality guards really opens up the playbook in the running game and helps block opposing DTs. The other spots are relatively big question marks, however, as they have already lost starters at all 3 spots and what the remaining players bring in athleticism they lack in game experience. The line play may end up being the Achilles heel for the Spartans in 2011, as the Notre Dame game somewhat exposed. The flux in the line has also prevented 5 players from gelling as a unit, which is extra critical along the offensive line. The strength of the Buckeye defense is up front, so they should be able to exploit this matchup all game on Saturday.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
The Spartans have arguably the best and most collectively experienced group of skill players in the B1G. Unfortunately without quality line play, those skill position players will never reach their full potential, and the offense could really struggle against teams with solid front 7s like the Buckeyes have and like Iowa and Alabama had last year. The Spartans have already dropped a game, so any hope of replicating last year's success requires a victory against Ohio State on Saturday. To get it, Cousins much do what he does best, avoid turnovers and get the ball downfield on the play-action passes, and the Spartans must be able to effectively run the ball in both halves. If they can control the clock, they can control the game and try and repel some of the pressure that the Buckeye front is likely to bring. There is no doubt the weapons are there for the Spartans to contend for a conference title...whether they are able to do so or not in a tough division will all come down to the front line...which is exactly where the Buckeyes can make some plays.
Overall Offensive Rating: B
2011 Michigan State Spartans Defensive Preview
Pat Narduzzi is in his fifth season as defensive coordinator at Michigan State. Narduzzi's unit in 2010 had its best showing since his arrival in East Lansing. Michigan State concluded the regular season ranked among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in rushing defense (#21 allowing 121.9 ypg.), scoring defense (#26 allowing 20.1 ppg.), total defense (#31 allowing 337.8 ypg.) and pass efficiency defense (#33 with a 117.0 rating). In addition, MSU allowed only one 100-yard rusher all season (Purdue's Keith Carlos).
The biggest difference in MSU's turnaround was takeaways - after forcing just 14 in 2009, MSU totaled 24 in 2010. The Spartans recorded 17 interceptions, its highest total since 2004, which ranked third in the Big Ten and tied for 23rd in the nation. Greg Jones, who led the team with 106 tackles, also earned consensus first-team All-America accolades for the second straight year, making him just the third Spartan to accomplish that feat (George Webster and Bubba Smith, 1965-66).
Narduzzi was named the National Coordinator of the Week by Rivals.com after the Spartans held Michigan to a season-low 162 rushing yards as Michigan State handed the Wolverines their first loss of the season, 34-17, on Oct. 9. In 2009, Jones became the first Spartan to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference and ranking third nationally with 154 tackles. Jerel Worthy was named a Freshman All-American after ranking second on the team in tackles for loss (9 for 34 yards) and sacks (4.5 for 23 yards). He became the second player to earn Freshman All-America honors under Narduzzi at MSU (Jones in 2007).
But so far this year, the Spartan defense has statistically been the top unit in the country. Michigan State leads the nation in passing defense (101 yards per game) and total defense (172.2-yard average), ranks No. 8 in scoring defense (11.0 points per game) and is ninth in rushing defense (71.2 yards per game). They held Florida Atlantic to only one official first down in the entire game, although a second one was negated when the RB fumbled after passing the marker and it was returned for an MSU touchdown.
The Spartans have only five sacks but lead the Big Ten in turnover margin (+5) and have six interceptions, including two apiece by safeties Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond.
It's hard to assess their red zone defense, as they've only had 5 occurrences of the opponent being there, with 3 TDs and a FG as the result. They have allowed only 31% of third downs to be converted, and stuffed the opposition both times on 4th down.
They play a base 4-3, with an alignment similar to what the Buckeyes deploy. They have one of the inside linemen at NT, a linebacker spot called the Star, and align their corners as boundary and field, rather than left/right. They will move into a 3-3-5 in obvious passing situations; and when in that formation, their LBs frequently walk right up to the line, and try to keep the offense off-balance by alternating who blitzes and sometimes having them all drop back into coverage.
Defensive Line
DE #45 Marcus Rush (6-2, 250, rFr., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH)
NT #96 Kevin Pickelman (6-4, 288, Sr., Marshall HS, Marshall, MI)
DT #99 Jerel Worthy (6-3, 310, Jr., Wayne HS, Huber Heights, OH)
DE #2 William Gholston (6-7, 280, So., Southeastern HS, Detroit, MI)
The best player on this D-Line is Worthy, who is on watch lists for the Outland, Nagurski, and Bednarik Awards. An inside presence that is able to stuff the run and pressure the opposing QB, Worthy is a 3rd-year starter that will provide a real test for the relatively inexperienced Buckeye guards.
The Spartans have a pair of guys that will see a lot of action at the nose, with Pickelman probably getting the start after he's played well in the last 2 games. He has 8 tackles on the year, 2 behind the line. Alternating at the NT spot is #98 Anthony Rashad White (6-2, 316, Jr., Fort Scott CC), who was a starter earlier this season but has been surpassed by Pickelman. White hasn't been able to get frequent penetration, but he has good lateral movement for someone his size. He has 6 tackles and half a sack this year.
The other DT spot is backed up by #57 Johnathan Strayhorn (6-0, 272, Sr.), who has 3 tackles in limited action this season, and 7 career TFLs. He'll get on the field just to give Worthy an occasional breather.
At the pass-rushing DE spot, the appropriately named Rush came up with a strong day against Notre Dame with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and two QB pressures, but he hasn't recorded a sack yet. His 14 tackles include 2.5 TFLs. The other DE is manned by William Gholston (a cousin of Vernon), who wanted to play LB but was obviously made a starting DE this year due to his size. He has 12 tackles (2.5 for a loss) and was credited with 2 QB hurries last week, but he hasn't yet made the number of big plays they'd like to see from him.
Depth at the DE spots is provided by: #52 Denzel Drone (6-2, 262, So.) who made 1 tackle last year for a 22-yard loss, but only has a pair of stops so far in 2011; #55 Corey Freeman (6-2, 250, Jr.) who has 3 tackles in limited playing time; and #94 Taylor Calero (6-3, 245, rFr.), who's been credited with a single assist after redshirting in 2010.
DL Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Sparty DL versus tOSU DL
The Spartans have been stout against the run, giving up 2.7 ypc, but they only have 5 sacks as a team, despite playing with the lead in most of their games. Worthy is a force inside, and Rush has made his presence felt, but it's somewhat difficult to judge this group. Their stats are limited because they've only been on the field for 24.5 minutes per game, and the scheme is designed to allow the LBs to make most of the tackles, which is what's been happening. They have forced 6 interceptions to be thrown, and they've done a good job of getting off the field. The Buckeyes may be better at pressuring the QB, but overall this unit is part of a defense that leads the nation in total yards allowed. At this point, the edge goes to the Spartans, although the Buckeye D-Line may have a better day due to the relative weakness in Sparty's OL.
Edge: Michigan State
Linebackers
Star #10 Chris Norman (6-1, 227, Jr., Renaissance HS, Detroit, MI)
MLB #40 Max Bullough (6-3, 245, So., St. Francis HS, Traverse City, MI)
SLB #28 Denicos Allen (5-10, 220, So., Hamilton HS, Hamilton, OH)
Bullough is a third-generation Spartan (son of Shane) who has stepped into the spot vacated by All-American Greg Jones. Max got an interception in zone coverage last week, looking back and seeing a WR crossing behind him, getting the pick by running underneath the diagnosed pass route, rather than watching the QB's eyes. He leads the team with 24 tackles, surpassing has 2010 total by one.
The Spartans also had to replace Eric Gordon, another highly productive LB. Denicos Allen (a Hamilton, OH product who had some interest from tOSU) has stepped up so far with 21 tackles, including 5 TFLs. He can also play the star position; Allen and Norman will sometimes shift sides after seeing motion in the offensive formation. Norman, their most experienced LB with 59 tackles last year, has 18 so far in 2011, and will usually cover somebody lining up as the slot receiver.
Depth for the inside spot is provided by #49 TyQuan Hammock (6-0, 230, So.), a special teams contributor who has 6 tackles this season; and #50 Steve Gardiner (6-1, 215, Jr., Dublin Coffman HS), another player who got a look from the Buckeyes but headed up north. Gardiner has battled injuries throughout his career, but has 1 start this year and 6 total tackles, and can play at either Mike or Sam.
Backup at the Sam is provided by Gardiner and #43 Kyler Elsworth (6-1, 215, So.), who has 9 tackles including 1 TFL so far this season.
Depth at the Star position is handled by #34 Taiwan Jones (6-3, 234, Fr.), whose 8 tackles include half a sack. He has the combination of size and speed needed to handle the hybrid LB/safety role.
LB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Sparty LBs versus tOSU LBs
This is a group that has limited experience, with the Spartans having to replace the very effective Eric Gordon and the two-time All-American Greg Jones. The defensive scheme is designed to have the linemen occupy blockers to leave the LBs free to roam and make stops, and it has been very effective so far. A big question for this game is whether the interior of the Buckeye OL can handle Worthy and still be able to get to the second level to bother the LBs. That will be key for the power running game of the Buckeyes to succeed.
The Buckeye LBs (Sweat, Sabino, Klein, Moeller, and Shazier) have a similar amount of experience to their Spartan counterparts, and a slight edge in depth. But the issues that the tOSU squad has had with overpursuit and missed tackles makes this matchup too close to give an advantage to either side.
Edge: Even
Secondary
FCB #31 Darqueze Dennard (5-11, 185, So., Twiggs County HS, Dry Branch, GA)
SS #9 Isaiah Lewis (5-10, 195, So., Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN)
FS #39 Trenton Robinson (5-10, 195, Sr., Bay City Central HS, Bay City, MI)
BCB #5 Johnny Adams (5-11, 170, Jr., Buchtel HS, Akron, OH)
Free safety Robinson is a returning starter who picked off a deep ball near the goal line last week, returning it for 34 yards. He had 4 picks last year, along with 12 pass breakups (PBUs). He's experienced enough to provide run support while rarely being burned deep.
Lewis (yet another guy that was looking for a Buckeye offer) is a first-year starter that got a 37-yard pick-6 while shadowing the CMU slot receiver on an out route last week. His also had an interception against Youngstown State in the opener. He had a career-high 9 tackles in the Notre Dame game, but he's not very big for a strong safety.
Boundary corner Johnny Adams is a returning starter with a good deal of experience, despite missing most of 2009 with an injury. He usually gets less safety help than the CB on the wide side of the field, and does a good job when left in man coverage. He will also occasionally blitz from the outside - look for him to do that at least a couple of times to surprise Braxton Miller. Adams has 14 tackles and 3 PBUs in 2011.
Dennard got starts against Northwestern and Illinois last year, and earned the full-time role at field corner this season. He has made 12 tackles, and has 2 PBUs without yet getting an interception.
The nickel back in the 3-3-5 is usually #27 Kurtis Drummond (6-1, 196, rFr.), who is tied with Lewis for the team lead with a pair of interceptions, and has also been credited with a forced fumble.
The strong safety backups are Drummond and #26 R.J. Williamson (5-10, 182, Fr.) who hasn't played enough to register any statistics, so his abilities are uncertain. Free safety depth is provided by #12 Dana Dixon (6-2, 170, So.), who has seen limited action in 3 games this season.
The boundary corner spot is backed up by #32 Mitchell White (5-11, 180, Jr.) who has 3 tackles; and #33 Jeremy Langford (5-11, 205 rFr.), who returned a fumble 37 yards for a TD against Florida Atlantic. Depth at the field side comes from #14 Tony Lippett (6-2, 189, rFr.), an all-around athlete with good size and ball skills for a corner.
DB Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Sparty DBs versus tOSU DBs
MSU has experienced players in Adams and Robinson, and two new starters at the other DB spots. Sparty hasn't given up too many big plays, and they only gave up 161 passing yards in their only real test against Notre Dame, although the Domers were able to play with the lead the entire game. Leading the nation in only yielding 101 passing yards per game, however, is impressive regardless of the opposition.
The Buckeyes have limited experience at receiver, and with their young QB will probably once again use a conservative game plan again this week, mixing in occasional deep balls on play-action. And hopefully they'll be able to locate the tight end, who may be able to out-muscle MSU's smaller safeties to get open.
The Buckeye secondary has 3 solid CBs in Howard, Roby, and Clarke, while the Spartan safeties are adept at picking off inaccurate throws. Some problems in pursuit angles by the Buckeye secondary tilts the overall edge to the visitors.
Edge: Michigan State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Michigan State's defense leads the nation in passing yards allowed and in total yards allowed. They only allowed 1 official first down to Florida Atlantic. They aren't getting a lot of sacks, but they have 6 interceptions and the defense has scored 2 TDs. They are doing an excellent job at getting off the field, while limiting the amount of big plays. The 31 points allowed to Notre Dame included a kickoff return for a TD, so the defense shouldn't be blamed for all of those points.
Expect Michigan State to show a variety of blitz packages out of the 3-3-5, with combinations of LBs coming on obvious passing downs, and guys from the secondary occasionally blitzing to add to the confusion. If Braxton Miller can handle the different looks and avoid turnovers, the Buckeye offense has enough talent to move the ball and put up points. But Mark Dantonio's players and schemes will make that very difficult.
Overall Defensive Rating: A-
2011 Michigan State Spartans Special Teams Preview
The Buckeyes Special Teams had their best game in a few years last week against the Colorado Buffaloes. Perhaps the kinks have been worked out and the right personnel are on the field. They will need to be solid in the special teams' part of the game to win their Big Ten opener. An interesting aspect of these matchups is that Dick Tressel is the ST Coach for tOSU, while his son Mike handles the Special Teams for the Spartans.
Season Stats
Michigan State
Punting:
Mike Sadler 12 for 476 yards, 39.7 avg, 2 touchbacks, 3 inside the 20 (does not meet min punts to be ranked by the NCAA)
Punt Returns:
Nick Hall 5 for 17 yards, 3.4 avg (69th Nationally)
Keshawn Martin 4 for 47 yards, 11.8 avg (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Team: 9 for 64 yards, 7.11 avg (69th Nationally)
Kickoff Returns:
Nick Hall 9 for 242 yards, 26.89 avg (24th Nationally)
Team: 9 for 242 yards, 26.89 avg (14th Nationally)
Punt Return Defense:
4 for 26 yards, 6.50 avg (54th Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense:
22 for 562 yards, 25.55 avg, 1 TD (107th Nationally)
Ohio State
Punting:
Ben Buchanan 19 for 796 yards, 41.89 avg (33rd Nationally)
Punt Returns:
Jordan Hall 3 for 44 yards, 14.7 avg, 27 long (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Corey Brown 2 for 28 yards, 14 avg, 17 long (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Devin Smith 1 for 3 yards (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Chris Fields 5 for 88 yards, 17.60 avg, 1 TD (8th Nationally)
Team: 11 for 163 yrds, 14.80 avg, 69 long, 1 TD (14th Nationally)
Kickoff Returns: (None have min number of returns to qualify for NCAA ranking)
Jaamal Berry 7 for 150 yards, 21.4 avg, 28 long
Corey Brown 1 for 44 yards
Tony Jackson 1 for 10 yards
Jordan Hall 2 for 135 yards, 67.50 avg, 90 long
Team: 11 for 339 yards, 30.80 avg (5th Nationally)
Punt Return Defense:
7 for 88 yards, 12.57 avg (99th Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense:
19 for 302 yards, 15.89 avg, 4 touchbacks (8th Nationally)
Special Teams
Michigan State (MSUSpartans.com)
Kickoffs:
#17 Kevin Muma (6-0, 189, So., Troy HS, Troy MI)
Placekicker:
#4 Dan Conroy (5-10, 190, Jr., Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, IL)
Punter:
# 3 Mike Sadler (6-0, 182, Fr., Forest Hills Northern HS, Grand Rapids, MI)
Punt Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#82 Keshawn Martin ([/FONT][/FONT]5-11, 189, Sr., John Glenn HS, Inkster, MI)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#[/FONT][/FONT]20 Nick Hill (5-7, 180, Fr., Chelsea HS, Chelsea, MI)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Kickoff Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#[/FONT][/FONT]20 Nick Hill (5-7, 180, Fr., Chelsea HS, Chelsea, MI)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#26 Tony Jones (5-7, 175, Fr., Don Bosco Prep HS, Patterson, NJ)
[/FONT]#22 Larry Caper (5-11, 223, Jr., Battle Creek Central HS, Battle Creek, MI)
Holder:
#81 Brad Sonntag (5-8, 176, Sr., Nouvel Catholic Central HS, Saginaw, MI)
Long Snapper:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#[/FONT]57 Matt Giampapa (6-2, 222, Fr., University School of Jackson HS, Jackson, MI)
Ohio State (Rivals)
Punter:
#17 Ben Buchanan (6-0, 195, So., Central HS, Westerville, OH)
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
Place Kicker/Kickoffs:
#24 Drew Basil (6-1, 206, So., Chillicothe HS, Chillicothe, OH)
#20 Russel Doup (6-1, 180, Fr., Mt Vernon HS, Mt Vernon, OH)
Long Snapper:
#56 George Makridis (5-11, 236, So., Harding HS, Warren, OH)
#54 Bryce Haynes (6-4, 185, Fr., Pinecrest HS, Cumming, GA)
Holder:
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
#14 Joe Bauserman (6-1, 233, Sr., Lincoln HS, Strasburg, VA)
Punt Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#10 Corey Brown (5-11, 170, So., Cardinal O'Hara HS, Upper Darby, PA)
#80 Chris Fields (6-0, 185, So., Harvey HS, Painesville, OH)
Kickoff Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#4 Jaamal Berry (5-10, 200, So., Palmetto HS, Pinecrest, FL)
Head-to-Head Michigan State Punt team vs. Ohio State Punt Return Team: The Buckeye's punt return team so far this year has been nothing short of electrifying. Hall, Brown or Fields are all threats to take each return to the house. Together they are averaging an outstanding 14 yards plus in punt returns. The Spartans counter with a middling unit, ranking 59th in the nation having allowed only 4 returns for an average of 6.5 yards.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Michigan State Kickoff team vs. Ohio State Kickoff Return Team: The Buckeye kickoff return unit is having a stellar year so far, ranking 5th in the nation. Their better than 30 yards per return average has been putting the OSU offense in good starting field position. Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry are fast and dangerous returners. Michigan State's kickoff return team has not been good so far this year, ranking a dismal 107th in the Nation. They are allowing 25.55 yards per return (one for a TD).
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Ohio State Punt team vs. Michigan State Punt Return Team: Ben Buchanan continues his solid if unspectacular year, booming punts at a 41.89 yard average to rank 33rd in the nation. The punt return defense is not doing as well, allowing a 12.57 avg per return to rank 99th Nationally. The Spartans counter with Nick Hill, a shifty and elusive returner. He averages only 3.4 yards per return, but will take it all the way if the Buckeyes are not on their toes.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head: Ohio State Kickoff team vs. Michigan State Kickoff Return Team: The Buckeyes' kickoff return defense has been the pleasant surprise after 4 games this season. The unit is 8th in the nation with 19 kickoffs for 302 yards, a solid 15.89 average. On the Michigan State side, Nick Hall also returns kickoffs and is enjoying great success in his freshman year. He has returned every kickoff for the Spartans and averages a very decent 26.89 yards per return, good for 24th among individuals and 14th in team returns.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
The Buckeyes' special teams dazzled spectators last week with a great all-around performance against the Colorado Buffaloes. Big Ten play begins this week and if the Buckeyes are going to defend their title, they will need to win the battle for field position. If the return defenses can bottle up Nick Hall, they will have a great chance to win this crucial battle.
PredictionsA bevy of seniors at the skill positions has not translated into offensive firepower enough in 2011, because like last season, Michigan State is a middle-of-the-pack offense thus far this year. The Spartans currently rank 52nd in total offense with 417.3 YPG. Within that is 283.5 passing yards per game (37th) and 143,3 rushing yards per game (65th). Their 32.5 points per game thus far ranks them 47th nationally. Michigan State has moved the ball, ranking T16 with 93 first downs through 4 games, but has not sustained drives, converting just 38.6% of their third down chances, good for only 74th. They haven't taken a lot of sacks (5) or thrown a lot of INTs, indicative of senior leadership at the QB position. There is little doubt that the Spartans are loaded with talent at the skill spots, but a relatively inexperienced line and some shaky playcalling may keep them from reaching their full potential. After already taking a loss to Notre Dame, the Spartans face a direction-of-the-season type game this Saturday. Look for the Spartan offense to give their best effort, led by all of those seniors.
Quarterbacks
QB #8 Kirk Cousins (6-3, 205, SR, Holland Christian HS, Holland, MI)
Cousins led Michigan State to their first 11 win season in school history last year, was honorable mention all-conference, and was a semi-finalist for the Davey O'Brien award. He is just one of 2 3x captains in school history, which shows everything anyone needs to know about his leadership ability. After getting his feet wet in 2008, he had a good sophomore campaign, throwing for 2680 and 19 TDs, and then improved upon those numbers in 2010, throwing for 2825 yards and 20 TDs. He is on a similar course this season. He has about a 2/1 TD/INT ratio (19/9 and 20/10 over the last 2 years) and doesn't take a lot of sacks, totaling only 32 over the last 2 years. He completed over 80% of his passes the first 2 games and threw for over 300 yards against Notre Dame, though he also tossed a costly interception and the team came up short. He has 19 wins as a starter, which trails Jeff Smoker by just 2 for the school record. The only time he has seen the Buckeyes was as a freshman in 2008, when he threw for 161 yards, a TD and an INT as Ohio State dominated 45-7. He is clearly not the wide-eyed freshman he was back then, and he will no doubt relish the challenge of facing the Buckeye defense once more before his career is concluded.
Backing up Cousins is sophomore Andrew Maxwell (#10). He is built similarly to Cousins and has played only sporadically in his career thus far, going 14/19 this year after being 11/25 last year. He is a potential future starter, but if Cousins goes down with an injury the Spartans will see a significant drop-off.
QB Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Michigan State QB versus OSU QB
Cousins: 81/117 (69.2%), 947 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs, 147.9 rating; 8/-38, 0 TDs
Miller: 15/29 (51.7%), 235 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 147.0 rating; 30/145, 0 TDs
Cousins is a very good player and operates a high quality offense despite not being able to run much, unlike many of his modern day counterparts at the position. He is durable, dependable, doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and he has a good arm. Being only the second 3-time captain in school history says a lot about his leadership, character, and quality of play. After being honorable mention all-B1G last year and one of 16 semi-finalists for the Davey O'Brien award, he is looking to improve on his performance for the third straight year and contend for postseason honors. His counterpart in this game Braxton Miller had his first start last week and loved the offense pretty well, though his passing reads and progressions are a work in progress. He did make a couple of nice TD throws and he can clearly break a big gain with his legs. He may reach the level of Cousins or pass him in the future, but right now the steady and dependable senior captain gets the edge.
Edge: Michigan State
Running Backs
TB #4 Edwin Baker (5-9, 210, JR, Oak Park HS, Highland Park, MI)
FB #42 Todd Anderson (6-2, 265, SR, Napoleon HS, Napoleon, MI)
Baker is the leading returning rusher in the B1G, having gained over 1200 yards and scoring 13 TDs last year on the way to being named first team all-B1G by the media. He has gotten off to a bit of a slow start this year, as he has just 75 yards on less than 3 yards per carry over his last 2 games, and a high of only 91 in the opener. Still that might be a reflection of flux along the line more than anything, and is not an indictment of his talent or playmaking ability. He is tough but elusive and has a good burst to break a big play. He is not a big factor in the passing game, however (14 career receptions), or he could be doing even more damage. With 4 receptions thus far this season, he might be adding more of that to his repertoire. As a junior, he is still learning the nuances of the position and last season he proved against Minnesota (179 yards, 4 TDs) that he could already dominate a game. His potential seems limitless if he keeps working hard and the line in front of him blocks a bit more effectively.
The Spartans are as deep and talented as any team in the B1G at this position. Primary backup Le'Veon Bell (#24) is a punishing runner (6-3, 237) who leads the team in yards (217), yards per carry (5.7) and TDs (6) thus far in 2011. He gained 81 yards and scored 3 TDs on just 8 carries last week against Central Michigan, so he appears to be a star on the rise and could see quite a bit of time against the Buckeyes. He earned many all-freshman accolades last year and appears to be a future all-conference performer. Steady junior Larry Caper (#22) is another bruiser (5-11, 223) who could start for many teams, and freshman Nick Hill (#20) is a jitterbug who got hurt early last season but could wreak plenty of havoc in the future.
RB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Michigan State RB versus OSU RB
Baker: 50/216 yards, 1 TD, 4.3 YPC; 4 rec/43 yards, 0 TDs, 10.8 YPR
Bell: 38/217 yards, 6 TDs, 5.7 YPC; 6 rec/40 yards, 0 TDs, 6.7 YPR
Caper: 24/101 yards, 1 TD, 4.2 YPC; 8 rec/77 yards, 1 TD, 9.6 YPR
Hyde: 57/263 yards, 3 TDs, 4.6 YPC; 6 rec/51 yards, 0 TDs, 8.5 YPR
Hall: 32/171 yards, 1 TD, 5.3 YPC; 1 rec/4 yards, 0 TDs, 4.0 YPR
Smith: 29/116 yards, 1 TD, 4.0 YPC; 2 rec/15 yards, 0 TDs, 7.5 YPR
The Spartans have a rotation of backs that is the envy of everyone not named Wisconsin in the conference. Bell might actually be more dangerous than Baker, and together they make up one of the better 1-2 tandems in the nation. Depth is no concern because Caper is also a high quality player, plays a lot on third down, and is a threat in the passing game (8 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD thus far). The Buckeyes have their own share of talent and depth at the position, and what Buckeye fans have seen from Hyde, Hall and Smith thus far is very promising. But without Herron they still don't have the production history or experience of the Spartans.
Edge: Michigan State
Wide Receivers
WR-X #3 B.J. Cunningham (6-2, 215, SR, Westerville South HS, Westerville, OH)
WR-Z #82 Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189, SR, John Glenn HS, Inkster, MI)
Cunningham entered the season with 139 career receptions and 13 TDs, and he will likely leave with many of the school's career receiving records. The Columbus product is tall, fast, and has good size and good hands. He was honorable mention all-conference last year, and given the start he has gotten off to (29 receptions, 428 yards) where he is poised to shatter his own career marks for a season, he could be contending for top honors this year. He has already broken the 100 yard barrier twice, with 9 receptions for 130 yards in the opener and 12 for 158 yards against Notre Dame. The Spartans select a rotating captain for each game, and he will be the captain this weekend. On the other side, Martin has 8 career starts, including 2 this year. He is more of a downfield threat with a more sleek frame and a bit more speed. He has been good as a returner and special teams player and is looking to make a mark in his final season at receiver. He didnt catch a pass last week, but he had 2 good games before that and has 14 receptions on the year thus far, second on the team.
The top reserve is senior Keith Nichol (#7), who once upon a time was battling Cousins for the QB job after transferring from Oklahoma. Last year he played receiver full-time and caught 22 passes for 262 yards. He had 3 receptions last week and is a regular part of the rotation in every game. He brings experience as a WR and a QB to the position, which helps with the cerebral parts of playing the receiver spots. Beyond those 3 players, the contributions are sporadic, but seniors Chris Rucker (#16) and Brad Sonntag (#81) and freshmen Tony Lippett (#14) and Keith Mumphery (#25) all could see time and all make the occasional catch. If one of those players steps up, there is likely a more regular spot in the rotation waiting for them.
WR Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Michigan State WRs versus OSU WRs
Cunningham: 29 catches, 428 yards, 1 TD, 14.8 YPR
Martin: 14 catches, 132 yards, 0 TDs, 9.4 YPR
Nichol: 7 catches, 117 yards, 0 TDs, 16.7 YPR
Smith: 8 catches, 183 yards, 3 TDs, 22.9 YPR
Reed: 5 catches, 89 yards, 0 TDs, 17.8 YPR
Williams: 3 catches, 46 yards, 0 TDs, 15.3 YPR
Cunningham is one of the most consistent and experienced receivers in the conference, and he is off to a tremendous start in 2011. It is up to the other players around him to step up their productions so that defenses cannot key on him downfield with double-teams all game. Martin has big-play ability and Nichol is a steady possession-type receiver, so both could make solid contributions going forward. What they have in abundance is big game experience, something the Buckeyes are completely lacking until Posey comes back.
Edge: Michigan State
Tight Ends
TE #88 Brian Linthicum (6-5, 245, SR, St. Anne's-Belfield HS, St. Louis, MO)
TE #85 Garrett Celek (6-5, 252, SR, LaSalle HS, Cincinnati, OH)
TE #80 Dion Sims (6-5, 276, SO, Orchard Lake St. Mary's HS, Detroit, MI)
The Spartans will run a bunch of TEs out onto the field and will run a double set many times. Linthicum is a Clemson transfer who had 18 receptions last year and is athletic enough to get downfield and make a big play. He is also a decent blocker and has good size. Celek, Brent's brother, was injured after just 2 games last year but figures to play a more prominent role this season. He got the start last week and is more of a run blocker (and a good one), having caught only 1 pass thus far. Sims is a rising star and a frightening looking man for smaller DBs to see charging at him downfield because of his lineman-like size and quality speed. He appeared in every game as a true freshman in 2009 before redshirting last year and he leads the team with 3 TD receptions this year, as he poses a nightmare matchup for a defensive back 7, especially in the red zone. Fellow sophomore monster Derek Hoebing (#84, 6-7, 270) could also see time in blocking situations.
TE Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Michigan State TE versus OSU TE
Sims: 9 catches, 80 yards, 3 TDs, 8.9 YPR
Linthicum: 4 catches, 24 yards, 0 TDs, 6.0 YPR
Celek: 1 catch, 8 yards, 1 TD, 8.0 YPR
Stoneburner: 8 catches, 93 yards, 4 TDs, 11.6 YPR
Fragel: 4 catches, 44 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
The Spartans are deep and talented at this position, and utilize it often and effectively. Sims is a potential future All-American if he keeps working hard and the other two bring quality and stability to the position. Stoneburner started the season a house of fire, but has virtually disappeared from the receiving picture now that Bauserman is gone. Both he and Fragel are quality players, but the talent and depth edge go to the Spartans here.
Edge: Michigan State
Offensive Line
LT #59 Dan France (6-3, 315, SO, North Royalton HS, North Royalton, OH)
LG #67 Joel Foreman (6-4, 315, SR, Milford HS, Highland, MI)
C #63 Travis Jackson (6-3, 275, FR, St. Francis DeSales HS, New Albany, OH)
RG #62 Chris McDonald (6-5, 300, JR, Henry Ford II HS, Sterling Heights, MI)
RT #51 Fou Fonoti (6-4, 300, JR, Mayfair HS, Lakewood, CA)
Here is the spot where the Spartans have some real difficulties. Four of the 5 players who started the opener are no longer starting, or even on the 2-deep, mostly because of injuries. The only player to start all 4 games this season is McDonald at RG, which brings his career total to 16 starts, having started 12 games at RG in 2010. He is a two year letterman who has been a solid contributor. At the other guard position, Foreman is the rock of the OL with 39 career starts. He is a captain in 2011 and is poised to garner all-conference honors after being honorable mention last season. He is the first 4 year started on the line since the early 1990s and he is poised for a career in the NFL. The other 3 spots are much more questionable. At LT, France is a converted DT who has moved straight into the most important spot on the line, starting the past 3 games. He is an intelligent player with good size and mobility, despite being raw to the position at this level. At C, Jackson took over for Blake Treadwell last week. He is a young up-and-coming player who is a bit undersized for the B1G but is mobile and intelligent. At RT, Fonoti also cracked the starting lineup last week. He is a JUCO transfer who takes over for Skyler Burkland, who was lost for the season. He has good size and some good experience from his JUCO days.
Given the number of injuries the Spartans have experienced, the line is painfully thin. Juniors John Deyo (#71), and Ethan Ruhland (#68) man the guard spots, while a pair of sophomores, Micajah Reynolds (#60) and Henry Conway (#77) back up the tackle spots. Freshman Jack Allen (#66) is in the mix at center. None of these players have ever started a game, and their game experience is very limited.
The line is dreadfully thin, as Dannewitz and Tau are listed as primary backups at other positions (RT and RG, respectively). Other than Handler in the middle, the rest of the players on the 2-deep are freshmen, including Alexander Lewis (#71) and Paulay Asiata (#50). If they lose anyone to injury they could be in serious trouble.
OL Rating: C-
Head-to-Head: Michigan State OL versus OSU OL
The interior is in relatively good shape as long as Foreman and McDonald stay healthy. Having quality guards really opens up the playbook in the running game and helps block opposing DTs. The other spots are relatively big question marks, however, as they have already lost starters at all 3 spots and what the remaining players bring in athleticism they lack in game experience. The line play may end up being the Achilles heel for the Spartans in 2011, as the Notre Dame game somewhat exposed. The flux in the line has also prevented 5 players from gelling as a unit, which is extra critical along the offensive line. The strength of the Buckeye defense is up front, so they should be able to exploit this matchup all game on Saturday.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Offensive Analysis
The Spartans have arguably the best and most collectively experienced group of skill players in the B1G. Unfortunately without quality line play, those skill position players will never reach their full potential, and the offense could really struggle against teams with solid front 7s like the Buckeyes have and like Iowa and Alabama had last year. The Spartans have already dropped a game, so any hope of replicating last year's success requires a victory against Ohio State on Saturday. To get it, Cousins much do what he does best, avoid turnovers and get the ball downfield on the play-action passes, and the Spartans must be able to effectively run the ball in both halves. If they can control the clock, they can control the game and try and repel some of the pressure that the Buckeye front is likely to bring. There is no doubt the weapons are there for the Spartans to contend for a conference title...whether they are able to do so or not in a tough division will all come down to the front line...which is exactly where the Buckeyes can make some plays.
Overall Offensive Rating: B
2011 Michigan State Spartans Defensive Preview
Pat Narduzzi is in his fifth season as defensive coordinator at Michigan State. Narduzzi's unit in 2010 had its best showing since his arrival in East Lansing. Michigan State concluded the regular season ranked among the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in rushing defense (#21 allowing 121.9 ypg.), scoring defense (#26 allowing 20.1 ppg.), total defense (#31 allowing 337.8 ypg.) and pass efficiency defense (#33 with a 117.0 rating). In addition, MSU allowed only one 100-yard rusher all season (Purdue's Keith Carlos).
The biggest difference in MSU's turnaround was takeaways - after forcing just 14 in 2009, MSU totaled 24 in 2010. The Spartans recorded 17 interceptions, its highest total since 2004, which ranked third in the Big Ten and tied for 23rd in the nation. Greg Jones, who led the team with 106 tackles, also earned consensus first-team All-America accolades for the second straight year, making him just the third Spartan to accomplish that feat (George Webster and Bubba Smith, 1965-66).
Narduzzi was named the National Coordinator of the Week by Rivals.com after the Spartans held Michigan to a season-low 162 rushing yards as Michigan State handed the Wolverines their first loss of the season, 34-17, on Oct. 9. In 2009, Jones became the first Spartan to be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference and ranking third nationally with 154 tackles. Jerel Worthy was named a Freshman All-American after ranking second on the team in tackles for loss (9 for 34 yards) and sacks (4.5 for 23 yards). He became the second player to earn Freshman All-America honors under Narduzzi at MSU (Jones in 2007).
But so far this year, the Spartan defense has statistically been the top unit in the country. Michigan State leads the nation in passing defense (101 yards per game) and total defense (172.2-yard average), ranks No. 8 in scoring defense (11.0 points per game) and is ninth in rushing defense (71.2 yards per game). They held Florida Atlantic to only one official first down in the entire game, although a second one was negated when the RB fumbled after passing the marker and it was returned for an MSU touchdown.
The Spartans have only five sacks but lead the Big Ten in turnover margin (+5) and have six interceptions, including two apiece by safeties Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond.
It's hard to assess their red zone defense, as they've only had 5 occurrences of the opponent being there, with 3 TDs and a FG as the result. They have allowed only 31% of third downs to be converted, and stuffed the opposition both times on 4th down.
They play a base 4-3, with an alignment similar to what the Buckeyes deploy. They have one of the inside linemen at NT, a linebacker spot called the Star, and align their corners as boundary and field, rather than left/right. They will move into a 3-3-5 in obvious passing situations; and when in that formation, their LBs frequently walk right up to the line, and try to keep the offense off-balance by alternating who blitzes and sometimes having them all drop back into coverage.
Defensive Line
DE #45 Marcus Rush (6-2, 250, rFr., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH)
NT #96 Kevin Pickelman (6-4, 288, Sr., Marshall HS, Marshall, MI)
DT #99 Jerel Worthy (6-3, 310, Jr., Wayne HS, Huber Heights, OH)
DE #2 William Gholston (6-7, 280, So., Southeastern HS, Detroit, MI)
The best player on this D-Line is Worthy, who is on watch lists for the Outland, Nagurski, and Bednarik Awards. An inside presence that is able to stuff the run and pressure the opposing QB, Worthy is a 3rd-year starter that will provide a real test for the relatively inexperienced Buckeye guards.
The Spartans have a pair of guys that will see a lot of action at the nose, with Pickelman probably getting the start after he's played well in the last 2 games. He has 8 tackles on the year, 2 behind the line. Alternating at the NT spot is #98 Anthony Rashad White (6-2, 316, Jr., Fort Scott CC), who was a starter earlier this season but has been surpassed by Pickelman. White hasn't been able to get frequent penetration, but he has good lateral movement for someone his size. He has 6 tackles and half a sack this year.
The other DT spot is backed up by #57 Johnathan Strayhorn (6-0, 272, Sr.), who has 3 tackles in limited action this season, and 7 career TFLs. He'll get on the field just to give Worthy an occasional breather.
At the pass-rushing DE spot, the appropriately named Rush came up with a strong day against Notre Dame with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and two QB pressures, but he hasn't recorded a sack yet. His 14 tackles include 2.5 TFLs. The other DE is manned by William Gholston (a cousin of Vernon), who wanted to play LB but was obviously made a starting DE this year due to his size. He has 12 tackles (2.5 for a loss) and was credited with 2 QB hurries last week, but he hasn't yet made the number of big plays they'd like to see from him.
Depth at the DE spots is provided by: #52 Denzel Drone (6-2, 262, So.) who made 1 tackle last year for a 22-yard loss, but only has a pair of stops so far in 2011; #55 Corey Freeman (6-2, 250, Jr.) who has 3 tackles in limited playing time; and #94 Taylor Calero (6-3, 245, rFr.), who's been credited with a single assist after redshirting in 2010.
DL Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Sparty DL versus tOSU DL
The Spartans have been stout against the run, giving up 2.7 ypc, but they only have 5 sacks as a team, despite playing with the lead in most of their games. Worthy is a force inside, and Rush has made his presence felt, but it's somewhat difficult to judge this group. Their stats are limited because they've only been on the field for 24.5 minutes per game, and the scheme is designed to allow the LBs to make most of the tackles, which is what's been happening. They have forced 6 interceptions to be thrown, and they've done a good job of getting off the field. The Buckeyes may be better at pressuring the QB, but overall this unit is part of a defense that leads the nation in total yards allowed. At this point, the edge goes to the Spartans, although the Buckeye D-Line may have a better day due to the relative weakness in Sparty's OL.
Edge: Michigan State
Linebackers
Star #10 Chris Norman (6-1, 227, Jr., Renaissance HS, Detroit, MI)
MLB #40 Max Bullough (6-3, 245, So., St. Francis HS, Traverse City, MI)
SLB #28 Denicos Allen (5-10, 220, So., Hamilton HS, Hamilton, OH)
Bullough is a third-generation Spartan (son of Shane) who has stepped into the spot vacated by All-American Greg Jones. Max got an interception in zone coverage last week, looking back and seeing a WR crossing behind him, getting the pick by running underneath the diagnosed pass route, rather than watching the QB's eyes. He leads the team with 24 tackles, surpassing has 2010 total by one.
The Spartans also had to replace Eric Gordon, another highly productive LB. Denicos Allen (a Hamilton, OH product who had some interest from tOSU) has stepped up so far with 21 tackles, including 5 TFLs. He can also play the star position; Allen and Norman will sometimes shift sides after seeing motion in the offensive formation. Norman, their most experienced LB with 59 tackles last year, has 18 so far in 2011, and will usually cover somebody lining up as the slot receiver.
Depth for the inside spot is provided by #49 TyQuan Hammock (6-0, 230, So.), a special teams contributor who has 6 tackles this season; and #50 Steve Gardiner (6-1, 215, Jr., Dublin Coffman HS), another player who got a look from the Buckeyes but headed up north. Gardiner has battled injuries throughout his career, but has 1 start this year and 6 total tackles, and can play at either Mike or Sam.
Backup at the Sam is provided by Gardiner and #43 Kyler Elsworth (6-1, 215, So.), who has 9 tackles including 1 TFL so far this season.
Depth at the Star position is handled by #34 Taiwan Jones (6-3, 234, Fr.), whose 8 tackles include half a sack. He has the combination of size and speed needed to handle the hybrid LB/safety role.
LB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Sparty LBs versus tOSU LBs
This is a group that has limited experience, with the Spartans having to replace the very effective Eric Gordon and the two-time All-American Greg Jones. The defensive scheme is designed to have the linemen occupy blockers to leave the LBs free to roam and make stops, and it has been very effective so far. A big question for this game is whether the interior of the Buckeye OL can handle Worthy and still be able to get to the second level to bother the LBs. That will be key for the power running game of the Buckeyes to succeed.
The Buckeye LBs (Sweat, Sabino, Klein, Moeller, and Shazier) have a similar amount of experience to their Spartan counterparts, and a slight edge in depth. But the issues that the tOSU squad has had with overpursuit and missed tackles makes this matchup too close to give an advantage to either side.
Edge: Even
Secondary
FCB #31 Darqueze Dennard (5-11, 185, So., Twiggs County HS, Dry Branch, GA)
SS #9 Isaiah Lewis (5-10, 195, So., Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, IN)
FS #39 Trenton Robinson (5-10, 195, Sr., Bay City Central HS, Bay City, MI)
BCB #5 Johnny Adams (5-11, 170, Jr., Buchtel HS, Akron, OH)
Free safety Robinson is a returning starter who picked off a deep ball near the goal line last week, returning it for 34 yards. He had 4 picks last year, along with 12 pass breakups (PBUs). He's experienced enough to provide run support while rarely being burned deep.
Lewis (yet another guy that was looking for a Buckeye offer) is a first-year starter that got a 37-yard pick-6 while shadowing the CMU slot receiver on an out route last week. His also had an interception against Youngstown State in the opener. He had a career-high 9 tackles in the Notre Dame game, but he's not very big for a strong safety.
Boundary corner Johnny Adams is a returning starter with a good deal of experience, despite missing most of 2009 with an injury. He usually gets less safety help than the CB on the wide side of the field, and does a good job when left in man coverage. He will also occasionally blitz from the outside - look for him to do that at least a couple of times to surprise Braxton Miller. Adams has 14 tackles and 3 PBUs in 2011.
Dennard got starts against Northwestern and Illinois last year, and earned the full-time role at field corner this season. He has made 12 tackles, and has 2 PBUs without yet getting an interception.
The nickel back in the 3-3-5 is usually #27 Kurtis Drummond (6-1, 196, rFr.), who is tied with Lewis for the team lead with a pair of interceptions, and has also been credited with a forced fumble.
The strong safety backups are Drummond and #26 R.J. Williamson (5-10, 182, Fr.) who hasn't played enough to register any statistics, so his abilities are uncertain. Free safety depth is provided by #12 Dana Dixon (6-2, 170, So.), who has seen limited action in 3 games this season.
The boundary corner spot is backed up by #32 Mitchell White (5-11, 180, Jr.) who has 3 tackles; and #33 Jeremy Langford (5-11, 205 rFr.), who returned a fumble 37 yards for a TD against Florida Atlantic. Depth at the field side comes from #14 Tony Lippett (6-2, 189, rFr.), an all-around athlete with good size and ball skills for a corner.
DB Rating: A-
Head-to-Head: Sparty DBs versus tOSU DBs
MSU has experienced players in Adams and Robinson, and two new starters at the other DB spots. Sparty hasn't given up too many big plays, and they only gave up 161 passing yards in their only real test against Notre Dame, although the Domers were able to play with the lead the entire game. Leading the nation in only yielding 101 passing yards per game, however, is impressive regardless of the opposition.
The Buckeyes have limited experience at receiver, and with their young QB will probably once again use a conservative game plan again this week, mixing in occasional deep balls on play-action. And hopefully they'll be able to locate the tight end, who may be able to out-muscle MSU's smaller safeties to get open.
The Buckeye secondary has 3 solid CBs in Howard, Roby, and Clarke, while the Spartan safeties are adept at picking off inaccurate throws. Some problems in pursuit angles by the Buckeye secondary tilts the overall edge to the visitors.
Edge: Michigan State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Michigan State's defense leads the nation in passing yards allowed and in total yards allowed. They only allowed 1 official first down to Florida Atlantic. They aren't getting a lot of sacks, but they have 6 interceptions and the defense has scored 2 TDs. They are doing an excellent job at getting off the field, while limiting the amount of big plays. The 31 points allowed to Notre Dame included a kickoff return for a TD, so the defense shouldn't be blamed for all of those points.
Expect Michigan State to show a variety of blitz packages out of the 3-3-5, with combinations of LBs coming on obvious passing downs, and guys from the secondary occasionally blitzing to add to the confusion. If Braxton Miller can handle the different looks and avoid turnovers, the Buckeye offense has enough talent to move the ball and put up points. But Mark Dantonio's players and schemes will make that very difficult.
Overall Defensive Rating: A-
2011 Michigan State Spartans Special Teams Preview
The Buckeyes Special Teams had their best game in a few years last week against the Colorado Buffaloes. Perhaps the kinks have been worked out and the right personnel are on the field. They will need to be solid in the special teams' part of the game to win their Big Ten opener. An interesting aspect of these matchups is that Dick Tressel is the ST Coach for tOSU, while his son Mike handles the Special Teams for the Spartans.
Season Stats
Michigan State
Punting:
Mike Sadler 12 for 476 yards, 39.7 avg, 2 touchbacks, 3 inside the 20 (does not meet min punts to be ranked by the NCAA)
Punt Returns:
Nick Hall 5 for 17 yards, 3.4 avg (69th Nationally)
Keshawn Martin 4 for 47 yards, 11.8 avg (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Team: 9 for 64 yards, 7.11 avg (69th Nationally)
Kickoff Returns:
Nick Hall 9 for 242 yards, 26.89 avg (24th Nationally)
Team: 9 for 242 yards, 26.89 avg (14th Nationally)
Punt Return Defense:
4 for 26 yards, 6.50 avg (54th Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense:
22 for 562 yards, 25.55 avg, 1 TD (107th Nationally)
Ohio State
Punting:
Ben Buchanan 19 for 796 yards, 41.89 avg (33rd Nationally)
Punt Returns:
Jordan Hall 3 for 44 yards, 14.7 avg, 27 long (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Corey Brown 2 for 28 yards, 14 avg, 17 long (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Devin Smith 1 for 3 yards (does not meet min returns to be ranked by the NCAA)
Chris Fields 5 for 88 yards, 17.60 avg, 1 TD (8th Nationally)
Team: 11 for 163 yrds, 14.80 avg, 69 long, 1 TD (14th Nationally)
Kickoff Returns: (None have min number of returns to qualify for NCAA ranking)
Jaamal Berry 7 for 150 yards, 21.4 avg, 28 long
Corey Brown 1 for 44 yards
Tony Jackson 1 for 10 yards
Jordan Hall 2 for 135 yards, 67.50 avg, 90 long
Team: 11 for 339 yards, 30.80 avg (5th Nationally)
Punt Return Defense:
7 for 88 yards, 12.57 avg (99th Nationally)
Kickoff Return Defense:
19 for 302 yards, 15.89 avg, 4 touchbacks (8th Nationally)
Special Teams
Michigan State (MSUSpartans.com)
Kickoffs:
#17 Kevin Muma (6-0, 189, So., Troy HS, Troy MI)
Placekicker:
#4 Dan Conroy (5-10, 190, Jr., Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, IL)
Punter:
# 3 Mike Sadler (6-0, 182, Fr., Forest Hills Northern HS, Grand Rapids, MI)
Punt Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#82 Keshawn Martin ([/FONT][/FONT]5-11, 189, Sr., John Glenn HS, Inkster, MI)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#[/FONT][/FONT]20 Nick Hill (5-7, 180, Fr., Chelsea HS, Chelsea, MI)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Kickoff Returners:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#[/FONT][/FONT]20 Nick Hill (5-7, 180, Fr., Chelsea HS, Chelsea, MI)
[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]#26 Tony Jones (5-7, 175, Fr., Don Bosco Prep HS, Patterson, NJ)
[/FONT]#22 Larry Caper (5-11, 223, Jr., Battle Creek Central HS, Battle Creek, MI)
Holder:
#81 Brad Sonntag (5-8, 176, Sr., Nouvel Catholic Central HS, Saginaw, MI)
Long Snapper:[FONT=tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
#[/FONT]57 Matt Giampapa (6-2, 222, Fr., University School of Jackson HS, Jackson, MI)
Ohio State (Rivals)
Punter:
#17 Ben Buchanan (6-0, 195, So., Central HS, Westerville, OH)
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
Place Kicker/Kickoffs:
#24 Drew Basil (6-1, 206, So., Chillicothe HS, Chillicothe, OH)
#20 Russel Doup (6-1, 180, Fr., Mt Vernon HS, Mt Vernon, OH)
Long Snapper:
#56 George Makridis (5-11, 236, So., Harding HS, Warren, OH)
#54 Bryce Haynes (6-4, 185, Fr., Pinecrest HS, Cumming, GA)
Holder:
#39 Derek Erwin (5-10, 203, Jr., Buckeye Central HS, Tiro, OH)
#14 Joe Bauserman (6-1, 233, Sr., Lincoln HS, Strasburg, VA)
Punt Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#10 Corey Brown (5-11, 170, So., Cardinal O'Hara HS, Upper Darby, PA)
#80 Chris Fields (6-0, 185, So., Harvey HS, Painesville, OH)
Kickoff Returners:
#7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, Jr., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
#4 Jaamal Berry (5-10, 200, So., Palmetto HS, Pinecrest, FL)
Head-to-Head Michigan State Punt team vs. Ohio State Punt Return Team: The Buckeye's punt return team so far this year has been nothing short of electrifying. Hall, Brown or Fields are all threats to take each return to the house. Together they are averaging an outstanding 14 yards plus in punt returns. The Spartans counter with a middling unit, ranking 59th in the nation having allowed only 4 returns for an average of 6.5 yards.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Michigan State Kickoff team vs. Ohio State Kickoff Return Team: The Buckeye kickoff return unit is having a stellar year so far, ranking 5th in the nation. Their better than 30 yards per return average has been putting the OSU offense in good starting field position. Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry are fast and dangerous returners. Michigan State's kickoff return team has not been good so far this year, ranking a dismal 107th in the Nation. They are allowing 25.55 yards per return (one for a TD).
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Ohio State Punt team vs. Michigan State Punt Return Team: Ben Buchanan continues his solid if unspectacular year, booming punts at a 41.89 yard average to rank 33rd in the nation. The punt return defense is not doing as well, allowing a 12.57 avg per return to rank 99th Nationally. The Spartans counter with Nick Hill, a shifty and elusive returner. He averages only 3.4 yards per return, but will take it all the way if the Buckeyes are not on their toes.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head: Ohio State Kickoff team vs. Michigan State Kickoff Return Team: The Buckeyes' kickoff return defense has been the pleasant surprise after 4 games this season. The unit is 8th in the nation with 19 kickoffs for 302 yards, a solid 15.89 average. On the Michigan State side, Nick Hall also returns kickoffs and is enjoying great success in his freshman year. He has returned every kickoff for the Spartans and averages a very decent 26.89 yards per return, good for 24th among individuals and 14th in team returns.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
The Buckeyes' special teams dazzled spectators last week with a great all-around performance against the Colorado Buffaloes. Big Ten play begins this week and if the Buckeyes are going to defend their title, they will need to win the battle for field position. If the return defenses can bottle up Nick Hall, they will have a great chance to win this crucial battle.
BB73's prediction: 23-17, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 24-17, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 27-19, Ohio State
Bucky Katt's prediction: 24-20, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 23-16, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 27-24, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 28-14, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game Result: (tOSU 37, Colorado 17)
(060) jwinslow's prediction: 31-13, Ohio State (10 + 50 last week = 60)
(072) BB73's prediction: 27-10, Ohio State (17 + 55 last week = 72)
(075) Bucklion's prediction: 24-21 Ohio State (17 + 58 last week = 75)
(082) Bucky Katt's prediction: 23-13, Miami (18 + 64 last week = 82)
(096) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 17-10, Ohio State (27 + 69 last week = 96)
(091) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State (18 + 73 last week = 91)
(101) JCOSU86's prediction: 30-3, Ohio State (21 + 80 last week= 101)
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 24-17, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 27-19, Ohio State
Bucky Katt's prediction: 24-20, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 23-16, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 27-24, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 28-14, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game Result: (tOSU 37, Colorado 17)
(060) jwinslow's prediction: 31-13, Ohio State (10 + 50 last week = 60)
(072) BB73's prediction: 27-10, Ohio State (17 + 55 last week = 72)
(075) Bucklion's prediction: 24-21 Ohio State (17 + 58 last week = 75)
(082) Bucky Katt's prediction: 23-13, Miami (18 + 64 last week = 82)
(096) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 17-10, Ohio State (27 + 69 last week = 96)
(091) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State (18 + 73 last week = 91)
(101) JCOSU86's prediction: 30-3, Ohio State (21 + 80 last week= 101)
Scores are adjusted for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
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