Quarterback
Senior Sam Hunt and sophomore Joseph Webb will be sharing snaps for the Blazers, while junior Brian Hoyer will get his first ever start in Spartan Stadium. Hunt threw two touchdowns while giving away five interceptions in seven games last season. He also is a credible ground threat.
The Blazers’ two-quarterback system may keep MSU’s defense guessing, but it could also lead to an inconsistent offense.
Edge: Even
Running backs
The power-speed combo of senior Jehuu Caulcrick and junior Javon Ringer should be able to run all over a Blazer defense that lost seven of its 10 leading tacklers. Caulcrick and Ringer are a strong point of the MSU offense, and they will be getting a lot of touches under the new run-heavy strategy.
Edge: MSU
Wide receivers
MSU lost its top three receivers from last season, and replacing them are 6-foot-2, 218-pound junior Devin Thomas and 6-foot-2, 185-pound freshman Mark Dell, which should give the undersized Alabama-Birmingham secondary some trouble. Sylvester Mencer, who caught 31 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 2006, is the Blazers’ leading receiver returning this season, and their other starters caught a combined seven receptions last season.
Edge: MSU
Offensive line
MSU’s line is bigger and more experienced than the Blazers’. Juniors Roland Martin and Jesse Miller both started all 12 games last season for the Spartans. Senior Pete Clifford will be starting at left tackle, with senior Mike Gyetvai out with a shoulder injury.
The Blazers’ line consists of two sophomores, one redshirt freshman and two seniors.
Edge: MSU
Defensive line
Other than senior defensive end Ervin Baldwin, the MSU defense is thin – literally. The three other defensive linemen weigh an average of 264 pounds while standing around 6-foot-4.
The Blazers’ defensive line sports four brand new starters this season, a line that includes two freshmen. They will be counted on to stop Caulcrick and Ringer but probably not expected to.
Edge: MSU
Linebackers
Senior captain Kaleb Thornhill is the heart and soul of the Spartans’ front seven – hopefully his passion and talent will have some sort of osmosis effect on his rookie partners.
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UAB linebacker Joe Henderson finished with 63 tackles, two behind team leader safety Will Dunbar. He’s the bright star amongst a dull supporting cast.
Edge: MSU
Secondary
With a mix of experience and inexperience on both sides, this category is somewhat of a toss-up.
Edge: Even
