Michigan State Football: What to Watch For Against Western Michigan
It's been a long off season, and like many of you, I'm awaiting another fall of Michigan State football.
The doormat-Spartans seem like a distant memory, despite a 6-7 campaign in 2009. Things are looking up for fourth-year coach Mark Dantonio and his troops.
Western Michigan comes to East Lansing on Sept. 4, and it promises to be another entertaining in-state rivalry game.
Hopefully it doesn't end up like last year's bout with Central Michigan.
We won't talk about that game.
Dantonio put together one of the best class of recruits in recent memory, and the word around East Lansing is offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi have a few tricks up their sleeves in 2010.
This Saturday's game isn't the most taxing on the Spartans' schedule, but if history has taught Michigan State fans anything, it's that no contest can be taken lightly.
Here are a handful of story lines that I think will come into play against the Broncos this weekend. Some are issues that will be relevant throughout the season, but some are exclusive to the in-state match up.
No. 1 — It's Amp Campbell's 35th Birthday
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I had to remake this slide because I forgot to save it. Trust me, the first one was classic.
If you told me 10 years ago, when I was a high school senior, that I would write about Amp Campbell's return to Michigan State, I would have replied, "Saban got him another year of eligibility?"
Campbell was granted a sixth year of after he broke his neck against Oregon in 1998. His story is one of the most inspirational I've ever heard, and I had the pleasure of interviewing him for my other blog, Sparty On, about a week ago. I also posted in on Bleacher Report.
Where was Disney on that one? Campbell's story would make a great movie. I would gladly watch his film instead of popping in my DVD of The Rookie (one of my all-time favorites) for the millionth time.
Right after I watched Field of Dreams.
Campbell said it will be awkward running out of the tunnel Sept. 4. at Spartan Stadium. It's his 35th birthday, too. But then again, Western is cutting his check, and it's his duty to coach to win.
“During the game, I’m going to be black and gold," Campbell said. "It would be a great birthday gift for me if we can get a win. I’m a Bronco that day, afterward I’ll be pulling for the Spartans.”
Damn, I'm getting old. Campbell is 35? Next thing you're going to tell me is Javon Ringer is gone, too. My, how time flies.
Did Jeff Smoker graduate yet?
Anyway, Campbell's heroic comeback was capped off by an 85-yard fumble recovery for touchdown, against, you guessed it, Oregon in 1999. The Spartans went 10-2, and beat Florida 37-34 in the 2000 Citrus Bowl. And to top it off, Spartan basketball won a national title.
Two great stories: Michigan State dominates, and I graduate from high school a happy guy, and Campbell defies critics, and kicks some tail during his best year as a Spartan.
Take that, Disney.
You can't script it any better than that.
Campbell and I joked around about the game, and I asked — win, lose or draw — for a follow-up. He agreed.
I wish you a happy birthday, Campbell. But Western is going down, 55-10.
No. 2 — Quarterbacks: Who Has Who?
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Last year, Western was spanked 49-14 by the Spartans with its resident-stud quarterback Tim Hiller making the calls.
Hiller had an impressive season in 2009. But he was dull against the Spartans, as he went 15-of-37, with one touchdown and 111 yards passing.
I was big on Hiller last year. He threw for 3,258 yards and 23 touchdowns. Statistically speaking, he was nearly even with Central's Dan Le Fevour for the title of best college quarterback in Michigan not named Kirk Cousins. Le Fevour threw for 3,438 yards and 28 touchdowns, and he beat Michigan State.
Well, Michigan State beat Michigan State, but we'll give the Chippewas the respect they deserve. Central was the best team in the state last year.
Hands down.
Western's quarterback situation was simple, I thought.
The nod would go to senior Drew Burdi, but he pulled a Keith Nichol and moved to wide receiver. My best guess would be senior Alex Jagels will get the call to lead Western's offense Saturday.
Or maybe one of the Broncos' four freshman quarterbacks will have a chance.
Who knows?
I was going to throw Jagels' stats at you, but according to ESPN, there are none. I'm not sure if the kid even experienced a live-game snap at Western. When Hiller is the man, guys like Jagels are making sure there is plenty of Gatorade cups filled for him once the offense comes back in.
I've heard conflicting reports, but according to mlive.com, Alex Carder will be the man-under-center for Western. But that was reported in April. I honestly don't know who Western's starter will be.
But we all know who has the edge.
The painfully obvious advantage goes to Cousins of Michigan State. He was about as close to perfect as it gets against Western last year. He went 22-for-25, and torched those poor kids from Kalamazoo for 353 yards and two touchdowns.
I'm going to go conservative this year and say Cousins throws for 300 and three touchdowns. I would say 400 and four touchdowns, but I don't want to be a jerk.
Since the photo caption didn't take, I'll write it here: Western's Tim Hiller had a rocket arm. Here he is passing to himself.
No. 3 — Michigan State's Secondary: Will It Hold Up?
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I just wrote that Western would score 10 points Saturday. Let's say it ups the ante, and throws 21 on the board. My area of concern is this: Will the Michigan State secondary get torched, and if it does, that's a bad sign, considering Western is an inexperienced group.
I've read that Marcus Hyde, Trenton Robinson, Johnny Adams and Chris Rucker are conditioned like no other this season.
Well, maybe that's a stretch. I read they have improved. Michigan State's secondary was one of the most abused in the Big Ten last year, and that will be cause for me to fret all season.
The offense can put points up on the board, but what will the defense do to keep games manageable?
Here's the deal: If Western's quarterback throws for more than 200 yards and burns the Spartans' secondary, I will personally write an apology to Broncos fans for not giving their signal-callers credit.
Western will drop this game, make no mistake, but for a freshman, Jagels, or anyone else to throw for more than 200 would be a shock.
Bronco coach Bill Cubit might want to see what Hiller is doing, since he was recently waived by the Colts, and ask if he'd like to give it another shot against the Spartans.
I doubt that would fly, but it's worth a shot.
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No. 4 — How Much Turf Will Greg Jones Make Western's Quarterback Eat?
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Well, folks, this one will be something to watch for all year.
Greg Jones is possibly the best linebacker in the nation, not just in the Big Ten. And that's not a homer statement, ask a Michigan fan, it will tell you Jones is the truth.
The man came back for his senior year to do one thing: Make quarterbacks shed tears. I think he wants to win a Big Ten title, too.
All-American.
Butkus Award-worthy.
Leader.
Monster.
If you can think of any other words I missed to describe Jones, feel free to leave them as comments.
I say Jones ends up with at least three sacks. Western's offensive line is dangerously young.
I fear for Carder, Jagels and Hiller — should he be deemed eligible. Jones is coming, and Chris Norman might play wrecking-ball for good measure.
And you thought I used all my good stuff in the first two slides. Shame on you.
No. 5 — Will Any Spartan Freshman Play Considerable Minutes?
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Take into account that this game is going to be an absolute blowout, so freshman will get some reps.
And that's good for the super Spartan tailgaters who will be blitzed before they enter the gates at Spartan Stadium.
The spirited fans, some of whom go to games just for tailgating, can take a light nap, and get ready to hit Grand River for a night of celebration when it's all said and done.
Back to football.
I want to see what Nick Hill is made of. Larry Caper and Edwin Baker are the premier backs, but I think Mike Hart's little buddy (Hill) has some gas in his tank.
He's an Abrams tank in the making, with 182 pounds stacked on his 5-foot-6 frame. I've seen the highlights, I've read the reports — barring injury problems, Hill is going to be more than reliable. It wouldn't make much sense to put Hill in this season, let alone during a non-conference blowout, but I can entertain the thought if I want.
I also want to see William Gholston get his feet wet by crushing a few Broncos.
When Gholston is finished with them, their jerseys will be as *green as his.
*That was a reference to grass stains. I'm sorry if you don't have a sense of humor.
What about Keith Mumphrey? I like this kid. He reminds me of Devin Thomas, one of the decade's best Spartan receivers.
Thomas was great in space, had a set of hands and blazing speed. I think Mumphrey can mold into that with proper guidance.
Andrew Maxwell is not a true freshman, but I still want to see him in action at some point this year. Maybe once Cousins eclipses 300 yards, and Michigan State is in cruise-control, Maxwell will get a shot to display his talent in a live game. He is next-in-line. Forget about Joe Boisture.
Saturday's duel will be fun to watch.
If you're a Spartan fan.
Disclaimer: Please take all of this in jest. This was in no way a shot at Western Michigan University or its players. It's all about having fun.
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