Quarterback
MSU senior quarterback Drew Stanton is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation — a player who will be able to pick apart Idaho's defense with precise throws and make defenders pay for overpursuing by breaking free for some timely scrambles.
Idaho senior quarterback Steven Wichman completed less than 60 percent of his passes in 2005 and threw three more interceptions (18) than touchdowns (15).
Edge: MSU
Running back
MSU has a platoon of running backs that fill a need for every situation. Junior Jehuu Caulcrick is a bruising back who can punish defenders and is excellent in goal-line situations. Javon Ringer is a shifty speedy back who is a threat to take the ball to the end zone every time he touches it. A.J. Jimmerson provides valuable depth, and also is a good receiver out of the backfield.
The Vandals' leading rusher from last season, Rolly Lumbala, returns for the 2006 season. However, he only rushed for 3.7 yards per carry and 472 total yards in 2005. He lacks the home-run threat the Spartans' backs provide.
Edge: MSU
Wide receivers
MSU's top two receivers from 2005 — seniors Jerramy Scott and Matt Trannon — lead the Spartans' receiving corps. Trannon is a big target who can grab short passes and also catch the deep ball, while Scott is the most consistent Spartan. Adding an extra wrinkle to the MSU passing game are Terry Love and tight end Kellen Davis. Love is the Spartans' best big-play threat, while Davis gives the offense a good red-zone option.
Idaho has a deep pool of wide receivers on its roster. Seven receivers caught at least 10 passes in 2005. The Vandals' receiving corps may be deep, but it lacks the talent and big-play ability displayed by MSU's wideouts.
Edge: MSU
Offensive line
MSU returns just two starters from last year in senior center Kyle Cook and junior tackle Mike Gyetvai. Cook has started 23 consecutive games for the Spartans and is the standout on the line. Filling the other three starting slots are sophomores Roland Martin and Jesse Miller and senior Peter Clifford. The line has some youth and could struggle until they get reps together as a unit.
Seniors Jade Tadvick and Nate VanderPol lead the way for Idaho's offensive line. The two have five years of starting experience between them. Joining them on the line is sophomore tackle Kris Anderson, who started nine games in 2005, and sophomore center Adam Korby, the only Vandal to start every game on the offensive line last year. Idaho has more experience, while MSU has more talent.
Edge: Even
Defensive line
Outside of senior defensive tackle Clifton Ryan, MSU's defensive line is young and inexperienced. Juniors Ervin Baldwin and Ogemdi Nwagbuo are junior college transfers who have never played a down of Division I football. The fourth starter, sophomore Justin Kershaw, recorded just four tackles and one sack in 2005. But with 302-pound Ryan and 297-pound Nwagbuo teaming up in the middle, they have the potential to cause some havoc and clog up the run game.
Idaho's defensive line can be summed up in one word — undersized. The two defensive ends weigh 224 and 226 pounds, while the starting tackles combine to weight 84 pounds less than MSU's. What they lack in size they don't exactly make up for in production. The four starters all saw action last year but combined for just seven sacks.
Edge: MSU
Linebackers
This is clearly the strength of MSU's defense. Senior David Herron Jr. and juniors Kaleb Thornhill and Sir Darean Adams all return as starters and will be the heart of the defense. Herron is the most experienced of the trio, having started 22 games, and is on the 2006 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, given to the nation's best defensive player.
Idaho also is able to roll out veteran linebackers. The Vandals return two players who saw significant action at the linebacker position last season, while the third starting spot will be occupied be a seldom-used backup. Idaho lacks the linebacker depth that MSU offers.
Edge: MSU
Defensive backs
MSU is hoping junior college transfer Nehemiah Warrick can give its secondary a much needed kick in the butt. Lining up at strong safety, "Nemo" may be the key to strengthening a group that allowed opponents to move the ball downfield at will in 2005.
Idaho's secondary surrendered an average of two touchdowns per game in 2005. The Vandals' opponents notched 12.7 yards per catch. MSU's secondary may be weak, but it's not that weak.
Edge: MSU
Coaching
Dennis Erickson returns to coach Idaho after leading the team from 1982-85. In between stints with the Vandals, Erickson won two national championships with Miami and spent time in the NFL.
For the Spartans, John L. Smith enters his fourth season feeling more pressure than ever. In this game, Smith will be up against a coach he's very familiar with — he served as Erickson's defensive coordinator at three different schools in the 1980s. The teacher beats out the student.
Edge: Idaho
Special teams
Freshman kicker Brett Swenson may be the key to the Spartans' entire season. MSU's smorgasbord of kickers connected on just five of their 16 attempts in 2005, costing the Spartans games against U-M and Ohio State. Senior punter Brandon Fields is one of the best in the country at his position. Javon Ringer has been penciled in at kick returner, giving MSU a chance for a touchdown on every kickoff.
Idaho kicker Mike Barrow had an excellent 2005 campaign, hitting 16 of his 19 field-goal attempts. Though the Vandals have a more reliable kicking game, they lack MSU's talent in the return game.
Edge: Even
