If the Spartans' running backs are on their game, they can punish a linebacker one play and turn the game into a track meet the next.
In junior Jason Teague and senior DeAndra Cobb, MSU has a two-back combination capable of keeping opposing defenses off-balance with their differing running styles.
Teague's north-south, downhill running style is a sharp contrast to that of Cobb, who is more effective bouncing outside or using his exceptional speed to burst through small holes in the line of scrimmage.
Throw in redshirt freshman Jehuu Caulcrick, who converted from linebacker, and MSU has a wide array of backs at its disposal, each with a different strength.
"If you look at a size standpoint, you'd say Jehuu," running back coach Reggie Mitchell said. "If you look at a speed standpoint, you'd say DeAndra Cobb. You look for just a toughness standpoint, you would say Jason Teague.
"You can put them all together and we'd have the one guy we want."
MSU is set on using multiple running backs this season, as it did in 2003. Mitchell said settling on one primary back this season isn't the team's best option.
"You look around the country, it's mostly done by committee now, just because of the physicalness of the game," he said. "We're going to make due with what we have."
Teague and Cobb both played in backup roles last season. Teague rushed for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Cobb, who switched to running back from cornerback early last season, had 172 rushing yards on 38 attempts.
Considering neither Teague nor Cobb started much last season, the running back position is seen as a wild card in MSU's offense this season. It's something the duo hopes to exploit.
"We kind of hope they underestimate us so we can give them a big surprise," Cobb said. "The best win is when they're surprised about it. When we get on the field we hope to surprise a lot of people."
Cobb's speed is well-known; he tied an NCAA record with three kickoff returns for touchdowns last season. Teague, however, can mislead defenses with his size. He can be quite a load for defenders to handle, despite his 5-foot-9, 197 pound frame.
"I compensate (for my size) with heart," Teague said. "I play hard at all times, no matter what I do. That's how I go at everything."
Running the ball is only one-third of what MSU running backs are expected to do under head coach John L. Smith. Picking up blitzes and blocking defenders as well as catching the ball are necessary skills.
Recognizing blitzes in time to make the block is something both Teague and Cobb had to work on in the off-season. Watching loads of game film and the repetition of practice helped both improve.
"That's something we work on every day because that's the nature of our offense," Mitchell said. "They're getting better at it. The more we do it, the better they get."
Having to block Spartans linebackers Seth Mitchell and Ronald Stanley in practice is also great simulation of game-speed blitzes for Teague and Cobb.
"If (opponents) come harder than any of them two, I'd be amazed," Cobb said of Mitchell and Stanley.
Whether Cobb or Teague is in the game - blocking, running or catching the ball - the time they spent in practice learning together should have a positive effect in Saturday's game.
"It's a real competitive thing, one day it's DeAndra, the next day it's Jason," Mitchell said. "I think that's the way coach Smith wants it. Every single day they have to come out and compete. That's going to make us better as a group and as a team."
Staff writer J. Ryan Mulcrone contributed to this report.
