Inexperience on Michigan State's Offensive Line Could Mean Bad News for 2011

MSU put together a dream season in 2010 (with the exception of a couple brief nightmares). However, if the Spartans want to reach the same lofty heights in 2011 there are some questions to answer on the offensive line. Consider the following (all stats and rankings courtesy of NCAA.org):

- Last year the Michigan State offensive line was average at best. MSU was ninth in the conference in sacks allowed, which isn't a great way to keep your golden-boy quarterback in the game and healthy (granted, those numbers include the Alabama game, but if anything MSU only moves up from near the bottom of the pack to slightly below average).  

- Furthermore, MSU racked up almost half their rushing totals in the first four non-conference games: 926 yards and 12 touchdowns out of a season total of 1,978 yards and 25 touchdowns.

In the Big Ten season MSU was held under 100 yards three times (Illinois, 93; Iowa, 31; and Purdue, 95: which of these teams is not like the other?) while letting a statistically weak Northwestern team (97th nationally in total defense and 92nd in rush defense) team hold the Spartans to a mere 105 yards. 

Admittedly, MSU had good games on the ground against the Wolverines (249 yards, 3 TDs)—but pretty much everyone did, so at most that just means the Spartans didn't screw up a gimme—and a fairly stout Wisconsin team (175 yards but 0 TDs).

- This season sees MSU lose its two starting tackles, including second team All-Big Ten tackle DJ Young—certainly a bad break for what is already suspect pass protection—and its starting center. You don't normally make a huge jump in production breaking in three new starters on a line that was decidedly average the year before. Breaking even should be the goal, and not a simple one at that.

- Finally, to boost competition and depth on the offensive line, MSU has moved two players over from defense this offseason: JR Blake Treadwell and Soph Dan France, both former DTs. Take it from a Michigan fan who has plenty of experience in watching people switch from one side of the ball to another: the farther away from a player's previous position the switch is, the less chance of them making a meaningful impact in the short term. 

Therefore, an OG switching to DT is going to have a steeper learning curve than, say, a WLB to a MLB. There is simply too much technique to learn and play calls to memorize if you aren't already acquainted with the position on the collegiate level (yes, playing both ways in high school helps. No, it doesn't help that much). 

That isn't to say it is impossible that one of these converted DT's make an impact as a starter in their first year on the offensive line, but it stands to reason that if a team's starting LT is less than a year removed from being a rotational player on the defensive line, it bodes poorly for the team's pass protection and run blocking.

Does this mean I think MSU's offense is hopeless? No. The line will have a few games to gel before the heart of Big Ten play (but expect things to be rough on the road in South Bend and Columbus), and there is enough talent at the skill positions that it should make up for some of the blown assignments. Players like Edwin Baker, Larry Caper and Le'Veon Bell are big enough and proven enough to make something happen on offense when plays break down.

But one thing to keep in mind as the season starts: MSU's Achilles heel last year was it's ability to establish the run early in games. Against Iowa the Spartans rushing attack was shut down in the first half by a veteran Hawkeye front seven (in arguably Iowa's best defensive performance of the year). 

This forced Kirk Cousins to make plays through the air on long second and third downs. How did that work out for the Spartans? A lopsided loss. 

The bowl game was the same story only magnified by one of the most dominant defenses in the country. Even against middle-of-the-pack Big Ten teams like Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois, MSU struggled to establish a ground game in the first half, which forced the Spartans to mount second half comebacks for a win in each game—not something Mark Dantonio wants to have to replicate in 2011.  

Like it or not, MSU lives and dies by its ability to establish a physical run game early. If the line takes a step back in 2011, it spells bad news for MSU, especially with a road schedule that includes games in South Bend, Columbus, Iowa City, Evanston and Lincoln.