Chicago - As the Big Ten Football Kickoff Luncheon wrapped up, one thing was clear: The Spartans are a fixture on everyone’s radar screen.
The media 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, lots 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.
The Spartan offense as a whole ranked 18th nationally with 436.6 yards per game, and 14th in passing offense at 284.9 yards per contest. And the Spartans didn’t just move the ball, as they also cashed in for an average of 30 points a game.
“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 its 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 bodes well for MSU, Spartan head coach Bobby Williams isn’t about to let his team look too far ahead.
“Any team on your schedule can rise and knock you down,” he said. “We circle all 12 games and it starts with the first one.
“Our charge is to take this program to the next level. We’ll see where we are at the end of the season.”
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 for Smoker and Rogers through the air. 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 is a moot point. He said senior Dawan Moss, who gained 93 yards on 12 carries as a fullback last season, and incoming freshman David Richard, who has Duckett-like power at 6-2, 230 pounds, 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. And regardless of the rushing uncertainty, Smoker is confident opponents won’t be able to shut down MSU’s passing game.
“I don’t think you can cover Charles Rogers,” Smoker said. “The only way I’ve seen to cover him is to hold him.
“He’s a go-to guy. When you need a big play, you go to him. He always finds a way to get open.”
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.
Despite the loss of four defensive backs to injuries or academic trouble last season, MSU ranked 14th nationally in passing defense. The unit allowed just 176.1 yards per game and snagged 16 interceptions.
Now-senior cornerback Broderick Nelson led MSU with five interceptions last year, but it’s the return of fifth-year senior cornerback Cedric Henry from academic ineligibility that has people excited about the unit’s potential impact.
Henry was a top-notch cover corner before sitting out last year, and could find himself in contention for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nations’ top defensive back at season’s end.
“We have six guys in our secondary who have game experience or started a game,” Williams said. “I see that as being one of our strengths on defense.”
If the secondary can remain one of the nations’ best, the front seven will have less to worry about. Confidence in coverage will allow the defensive line and linebackers to focus on stopping the run and rack up coverage sacks.
Junior defensive tackle Kyle Rasmussen anchors the line, and sophomore tackles Kevin Vickerson and Matthias Askew are expected to display marked improvement after getting considerable playing time as true freshmen.
The biggest question on defense remains the linebacking corps, particularly the task of replacing last year’s leading tackler, middle linebacker Josh Thornhill.
“We started out with (redshirt freshman) Seth Mitchell, but the last week of spring, we put (junior) Mike Labinjo in there,” Williams said of the “Mike” position. “And that’s something I think we’re going to continue to do.”
Labinjo played at both the Sam and Will linebacker spots last year, when he finished third on the team in tackles with 64. He led the team in tackles for loss and sacks with 17 and five, respectively.
Junior Monquiz Wedlow and sophomore Ronald Stanley are expected to fill the Sam and Will positions, respectively. The two combined for 81 tackles last season.
“I tell you what, we’ve got some very good defensive ballplayers,” Williams said. “I really like our overall size.”
Williams has confidence in the defense’s ability to step up, and also is aware of what the offense can achieve behind Smoker and Rogers, MSU’s special teams unit raises understandable concerns.
The loss of All-American kick-returner Herb Haygood will be noticeable, but Rogers should help pick up the slack. But the loss of four-year starting punter Craig Jarrett leaves a big question - 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.
Sophomore Dave Rayner looks once again to handle the kicking duties.
Rayner connected on eight of 14 field goals last season, with his longest at 41 yards.
“Our team has a considerable amount of question marks that we hope to answer in preseason camp,” Williams said.
“There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming season. I’m looking forward to it.”
