season marred by disappointment and controversy will come to an end for the Spartans in University Park, Pa., against Penn State.
The entire coaching staff from this season will be relieved of duty at the end of the season, and the program will be under completely new reigns.
At this point, Athletics Director Ron Mason hasn't picked anyone to lead the team, making it impossible to know the program's direction. But it is possible to examine what the Spartans have.
Although MSU does not have a senior-heavy roster, in the last few games, MSU has played a lot of sophomores and freshmen in key positions.
Sophomore quarterback Damon Dowdell has taken over for junior quarterback Jeff Smoker, who was indefinitely suspended Oct. 24. Dowdell is joined in the backfield by freshman tailback David Richard, who filled in for senior tailback Dawan Moss, who is also serving an indefinite suspension.
Richard, a backup for most of the season, will end the year as the team's leading rusher. And his backup for the past few games has been freshman Jaren Hayes.
Hayes has had his share of playing time this season, however, he said all of the younger players can benefit from playing time.
"I think its pretty important," Hayes said. "Once guys get in there and get some experience of playing in a big game, I think it's going to get them ready for next year.
"It definitely builds your confidence. I know it built my confidence up."
Richard and Hayes likely will provide the one-two punch of the future. But the quarterback situation is much more uncertain.
The next head coach's decision whether to allow Smoker to rejoin the team is the most important factor. If Smoker returns, he and Dowdell will be in competition for the starting job.
Offensively, MSU's biggest hole could be at wide receiver. Much of the situation depends on junior wide receiver Charles Rogers' decision to turn pro or return for his senior year. If Rogers leaves for the NFL, then the Spartans will lose both starting wideouts as senior flanker B.J. Lovett also departs. Rogers and Lovett rank first and third, respectively, in receptions.
Sophomore tight ends Jason Randall and Eric Knott could be the only returning players who have receiving touchdowns. Coming into the final game, Knott is second on the team in receptions and Randall is fourth.
With 11 and five receptions, respectively, junior Ziehl Kavanaght and freshman Agim Shabaj have the next most receptions among wide receivers.
Freshman split end Kyle Brown did not have any catches this season in limited action. Matt Trannon, who sat out the season for academic reasons, is expected to play next year, giving the Spartans another body at wide receiver.
Defensively, the most significant changes will come on the corners. Seniors Cedric Henry, DeMario Suggs and Broderick Nelson will be gone, leaving freshman Ashton Watson and sophomore Roderick Maples as the only cornerbacks returning with significant playing time.
This season, Watson has seen more field time than Maples and has started the last two games. Maples has one career start, against Fresno State in the 2001 Silicon Valley Football Classic. In that game, he had two pass breakups and an interception.
"They're going to be some good players," Suggs said of Watson and Maples. "I look for a lot of big things out of them."
At the safety positions, sophomore Jason Harmon should return at full strength. Although he's missed two games with a sprained ankle and been limited in other contests, Harmon ranks fourth on the team in tackles.
Replacing senior strong safety Thomas Wright could be the hard. Wright, a co-captain, leads the team in tackles and interceptions.
Looking at the depth chart, there is a host of replacements, including Harmon, who has knowledge of both safety spots. Sophomore safety Robert Flagg, junior safety Jeremiah McLaurin and freshman Eric Smith head the list. Smith has played mostly at the free safety spot, filling in for Harmon.
Smith said the competition in the spring will be fierce because of the new coaching staff.
"Everybody comes in on a clean slate," Smith said. "You have to earn your positions so the best guys will get to play instead of the guys that have had the recognition before."
This season, leadership has been a major question mark on the team. The linebacker positions could see the least turnover from this season as this week's three starters rank in the top five on the team in tackles. But seniors on the team say defensive leaders could emerge from the pack.
Sophomore linebacker Ronald Stanley is a two-year starter, and he's second on the team in tackles with 97. He leads the team with nine tackles for loss. Juniors Monquiz Wedlow and Mike Labinjo rank third and fifth, respectively, in tackles. And freshman Seth Mitchell should be involved in the mix as well.
Romando J. Dixson can be reached at dixsonro@msu.edu.
