Chicago - One thing is becoming more clear as MSU’s Aug. 31 kickoff approaches - the Spartans are a fixture on everyone’s radar screen.
At this weekend’s annual Big Ten football Kickoff Luncheon, media members picked MSU to finish third in the conference and named junior wide receiver Charles Rogers the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
So despite the premature loss of tailback T.J. Duckett to the NFL, a lot of people expect good things in East Lansing this fall.
“I’m not going to give you a record, but I know we’re going to contend for a Big Ten championship,” Rogers said. “We have the opportunity to do it and we’ve got the weapons.
“I can promise you we won’t go 7-5 this year.”
Keeping that promise seems realistic, especially with the explosive duo of Rogers and junior quarterback Jeff Smoker. Smoker ranked sixth in the nation in passing efficiency with a 162.8 rating last season, while Rogers ranked ninth in receiving yards per game at 109.1.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we can maintain that caliber of play,” Rogers said. “We can play up to that level against anybody.”
MSU hasn’t reached the Rose Bowl since 1988, but it’s run for the roses this year will be aided by a schedule that includes eight games on the new natural turf of Spartan Stadium.
Although that does bode well for MSU, Spartan head coach Bobby Williams isn’t about to let his team look too far into the future.
“Any team on your schedule can rise and knock you down,” he said.
“Our charge is to take this program to the next level.”
To replicate last season’s potent attack, MSU will need to find a consistent replacement for Duckett.
With “Diesel” in the backfield, opponents were forced to stack their defense along the line of scrimmage, which created openings through the air for Smoker and Rogers.
If MSU can’t find a back that strikes fear into the defense, Williams expects to see more intense pass-coverage packages.
But Rogers says that’s a moot point.
He said senior Dawan Moss and incoming freshman David Richard will do just fine.
“When you see the running game, you’re going to be like, ‘Charles Rogers told me,’” he said.
“Dawan Moss and David Richard are going to be a surprise for a lot of people.”
Whoever fills the backfield will have the benefit of running behind an experienced offensive line, as the Spartans return all five starters.
Of course, offense alone won’t win MSU any titles.
To compete in the Big Ten, the Spartans will need to field a solid defense.
The return of fifth-year senior cornerback Cedric Henry from academic ineligibility has people even more excited about a secondary that ranked 14th nationally last season.
But the biggest question on defense remains the linebacking corps, particularly the task of replacing last year’s leading tackler, middle linebacker Josh Thornhill.
The Spartans starting practice with redshirt freshman Seth Mitchell in the position, but the last week of spring coaches substituted junior Mike Labinjo, a move Williams said he expects to continue with.
The loss of four-year starting punter Craig Jarrett leaves a big question on special teams - and one without any quick answers.
Williams hopes to see San Luis Obispo, Calif., junior college transfer Jason Daily or incoming freshman Brandon Fields step up and claim the starting role before the Spartans open the season Aug. 31 against Eastern Michigan.
Eric McKinney can be reached at mckinn54@msu.edu.
