Larry Caper and Edwin Baker Can Carry Michigan State Football in 2010

Michigan State football fans remember the "Thunder and Lightning" backfield that showcased Jehuu Caulcrick (Thunder) and Javon Ringer (Lightning) just a few autumns ago.

In 2009, green and white supporters got a taste of a new combination.

"Lightning and Lightning;" Larry Caper and Edwin Baker .

Last season, Battle Creek's Caper captured the hearts of Spartan football fans everywhere with his triumphant scamper to the end zone against bitter rival Michigan.

The legions of the pro-maize and blue crowd were sick.

Caper's 24-yard trot sealed MSU's second consecutive win against the Wolverines, 26-20, and earned Mark Dantonio's Spartans another year of in-state bragging rights.

In 2010, the Spartan faithful will want to see more of those types of runs from the now-sophomore running back.

Is it hard to imagine that State has two premier-level running backs—again?

Not really.

Oak Park's Baker is a rough and tough, bring-it-to-you style of ball carrier. Don't get that confused with being a thunderous runner—he has explosive speed, too, not just power.

In the 41-31 Alamo Bowl loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the 5'9", 200-pound back showcased his offensive abilities.

He did the same in high school , and that's why he now dons the Spartan logo on his football helmet.

Both backs rushed for 400-plus yards each while splitting duties: Baker 427, Caper 468.

A dual-quarterback system worked to a degree, but the two-back set behind the signal-callers was magnificent.

Now, if only offensive coordinator Don Treadwell can figure out how to display the two sophomores in the same way he did last year when they were "green."

Don't be surprised to see more of a run-heavy play selection this fall. 

Treadwell knows he has two studs in the backfield, but last season it looked like Caper was going to be the every-down ball carrier.

After Baker's Alamo Bowl performance, Treadwell's decision could have been swayed in the Oak Park native's direction.

Either way it's cut, there two more-than-viable options to carry the pigskin for Sparty this come late August.

As seen on Barking Carnival's "Sparty On" blog.