Michigan State football is back and for the first time in a long time the team is heading into the season with some attention not only in the state but throughout the Big Ten.
Why?
Because they are the defending Big Ten champions, or the co-champions which is what many Michigan fans will keep saying as a reminder.
“I think the freshmen think that they’re ready to go,” said MSU coach Mark Dantonio, who starts his fifth training camp today in East Lansing. “And they’re gonna find out how much they don’t know (when camp starts). That’s the reality of it every single year. They think they’ve got it all figured out, because they’ve worked out and they’ve worked out with our players. They’ve got a pretty organized 7 on 7 and things like that (in the summer), that they’re doing by themselves. But it’s a whole other step when they come to camp.”
State had their media day on Monday and will be in full pads by the end of the week. They will open the season three weeks from Friday, a 7:30 p.m. opener at Spartan Stadium against Youngstown State.
But what are some of the questions surrounding State as they head into the 2011 season?
Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal takes a look at some of the biggest questions that the Spartans will have to answer this year.
- Can Michigan State win the brand new Legends Division? – Michigan State will have their hands full this season with the addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten and to their division.
- Will any of the true freshman have an impact on the team this season? – Rexrode points out how much of an impact freshman have had on Dantonio’s teams of the past.
- What are some of the key position battles to watch? – Rexrode believes that these key battles will take place at left tackle, center and backup running back.
- Should fans be concerned with the offensive line or does it really matter? – MSU running back Edwin Baker believes that the lack of experience on the offensive line will be made up by the talent factor. I believe this to be the case and so should the fans. Running back is a position of strength for the Spartans which should take some pressure of the offensive line.
- Are the linebackers a strength or a weakness? – With the losses of Eric Gordon and Greg Jones the Spartans certainly have questions at linebacker. Rexrode believes that sophomore Max Bullough is good enough and smart enough to step right in and fill in for Jones. I still think there will be a learning curve with the improved Big Ten.
- Is there any area that won’t be as strong as presumed? – Lack of experience at certain positions will be States biggest problem this upcoming season. Rexrode points out the lack of experience at the defensive end position which could hinder the production from that spot.
- Who is the next walk on to make their mark? – Rexrode points out that much like Wisconsin, State is making a name for itself for developing walk on talent. Rexrode believes that name fans should look out for is Kyler Elsworth, a sophomore linebacker from Goodrich. “We’ve had a history of putting guys on scholarship and them playing for us,” Dantonio said. “Kyler Elsworth is another one. Eventually that guy’s gonna be on scholarship. Solid player. Active player.”
Source: Lansing State Journal