Looking at the number of returning starters the MSU football team has - 15 - the group has experience. It's the second and third string players, however, that head coach John L. Smith has to worry about.
"There's going to be a lot of challenges, and this is a hurdle year for us," Smith said.
"I'm very optimistic from what I see, of our willingness to take control and ownership of the football team."
The backups are mostly underclassmen - guys who are new to Division 1A college football - with little or no experience. That being the case, the starters know how important it will be just to stay injury free this season.
"First of all, we need to stay healthy to be successful," junior wide receiver and captain Kyle Brown said. "At some positions we don't have depth, so it will be important for certain guys to stay healthy."
Some of those guys include the whole starting 11 on the defensive side of the ball. Of those players, 10 are juniors or seniors, while only four of the 11 backups are juniors or seniors.
"We need guys to come in and step up," Brown said. "As players and coaches, we need to have confidence that the freshmen and redshirt freshmen can come in and perform right away."
Last season, the defense had nine upperclassmen starters and six upperclassmen backups. While some players might be worried, senior safety and captain Jason Harmon has confidence in his newer and younger teammates.
"A lot of the younger guys are stepping up and being vocal leaders," Harmon said. "We emphasize everybody on the team being leaders, not just the older guys. Everyone on the team has to take it upon themselves to lead. Sometimes (the freshmen) have to pick up (the older guys) when we're down."
On the offensive side of the ball, the Spartans have a lot more depth - numerous players with the ability to start at quarterback, running back, tight end or wide receiver. The one area lacking depth is the offensive line, where four of the five backups are freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
"The maturity of our offensive front is the biggest question mark we have," Smith said. "Can they develop and stay healthy?"
While the offensive line must rely on the freshmen, the defensive line gets a two player boost from junior college transfers - sophomore defensive tackle Daniel Zynn and junior defensive tackle Domata Peko. The two should help, backing up senior Kevin Vickerson and junior Brandon McKinney.
Along with the freshmen, the other young guys will gain experience quickly, as the Spartans open up their season with a road game against Rutgers. Lack of experience is the only aspect worrying Harmon.
"It's not the fact that we're losing a step in ability, but experience," he said.
He added the importance of starters on both sides of the ball to be in good shape and ready to play. Especially early on, while the newcomers are still getting accustomed to Division 1A football.
"We always focus on giving it all we have every play," Harmon said.
Smith is optimistic his young team's season will be a success.
"We're going to have to stay healthy," Smith said. "Within our walls, we're optimistic about what we can get done."
