A new aggressive approach on the defensive side of the ball has the MSU football team puffing up with confidence.
Last year, the MSU defense that ranked 83rd overall out of 117 Division I-A teams was hard-pressed to stop the run or sack opposing quarterbacks. The rush defense - 110th in the nation - gave up four 300-yard rushing games. The team had only 12 sacks against Big Ten opponents last season, ninth in the conference.
"Last year we got embarrassed," senior linebacker Mike Labinjo said. "And I don't think the guys want that to happen again."
The change to a more aggressive, pass-rushing defense is baggage of head coach John L. Smith. The style is designed to be simple yet aggressive, drawn out to force the opposing offense, rather than react like in past seasons.
"The philosophy behind the defense is to get up the field," senior defensive end Greg Taplin said.
Defensive coordinator Chris Smeland plans on getting people up the field from any position in any formation, mostly with blitz packages. But he also believes the scheme will allow defenders up front, such as Taplin, to put pressure the other team.
"We put a high priority on guys that can get to the quarterback," Smeland said. "Taplin, (junior defensive end Clifford) Dukes and (junior defensive tackle captain Brandon) McKinney are three guys on the defensive line we're excited about."
The biggest change in position from last season is the addition of "the bandit," essentially a rover on defense, playing equal parts linebacker and safety.
The new position has been given to senior Monquiz Wedlow. Smeland said Wedlow will succeed at the line of scrimmage and in blitzing situations at the position.
"Whoever is in that position is going to make a lot of plays," Wedlow said. "And I'm up for the challenge."
Along with Wedlow, the rest of the linebacking corps is relatively experienced with Labinjo, senior Mark Goebel, sophomore Seth Mitchell and junior captain Ronald Stanley making up the crew.
"That depth allows us to go out on the field and sell out every play, knowing there is another guy able to step right in," Stanley said.
This biggest question mark so far has been the lack of experience in the secondary. Last year, senior safety Thomas Wright anchored the veteran quad, but this season brings two sophomores - cornerback Ashton Watson and safety Eric Smith - and two juniors - cornerback Roderick Maples and safety Jason Harmon - into the group. Only Harmon has played extensively.
Smeland said the group has much to learn but has shown "a lot of want, too."
"As fast as we can progress in the back," Smeland said. "That will dictate how much of the packages we will be able to use."
Regardless of how much the defensive backs are able to pick up, the defense similar to the offense, is expected to be flying around.
"It's a free defense," Stanley said. "It allows players to use their athletic ability to make plays and the guys like it a lot."
