You know Javon Ringer.

In fact, most college football fans around the country know the 5-foot-10 senior running back, who was named a third-team preseason All-American by Phil Steele’s 2008 College Football Preview.

He’s been on the cover of Big Ten preview magazines. His long runs have been highlighted on SportsCenter. He will be, without question, MSU’s most dynamic offensive weapon this season.

But for every highlight-reel run, there’s a 1- or 2-yard loss. Every time the crowd erupts after a 20-plus yard gain, they sigh and slump their shoulders at a botched play.

There with Ringer for all of that are the big boys up front. With them, Ringer can put himself in position to have a banner senior season and make a name for himself heading into the 2009 NFL Draft. Without them, well, that’s the pressure he’s talking about.

“That’s true,” senior guard Roland Martin said about Ringer’s comments. “He can get away a couple times, but not all the time. We have to help give him a couple yards even though he’ll get a couple.

“That’s what we always say — you just have to pave the way for him and give him a chance to run and display his talent out there.”

Although Ringer says the pressure is on his offensive line, the linemen acknowledge that it will be Ringer who makes SportsCenter’s top 10 plays and his jersey that dots Spartan Stadium.

Junior center Joel Nitchman said he’s used to living in relative anonymity and is fine with the lack of publicity he and his fellow linemen receive.

“That’s why I play offensive line,” Nitchman said. “We know we’re the guys in the trenches and when Javon’s on ESPN we feel good because he’s our guy.

“We understand that we’re the unsung heroes and that’s fine with us, that’s how it is.”

While MSU’s offensive linemen can be overlooked by fans, their teammates know how important they are to their team’s success.

Nitchman said Ringer and former MSU running back Jehuu Caulcrick, who combined for more than 2,300 yards last season, were fully aware of the offensive line’s impact, leaving thank-you notes in each of the linemen’s lockers after they had big games.

Although the thank you notes showed the linemen how much they were appreciated, the game only scratches the surface of what they do.

In addition to arriving at practice before the rest of the team to work on blocking techniques and other fundamentals, they also spend 20-30 minutes after practice evaluating their techniques in the film room.

Despite all that work, they never get to leave back stage for the spotlight.

“An O-lineman has to be a humble team player, meaning you don’t really care what happens to you, because everything that happens on the field basically is the result of you,” senior tackle Jesse Miller said.

“The running back gets press? That’s good, because he didn’t get it without you. At the same time, don’t worry about it, just be humble about it.”

Humility is just one of the aspects needed to excel in the trenches. Offensive line coach Dan Roushar said the most important characteristics needed to be an offensive lineman are tough mindedness, pride, work ethic and a passion for being selfless.

“The attitude we take is the lunch-pail type guy who always goes to work,” Roushar said.

“We’re blue collar, there’s nothing fancy about what we are. We just go after it.”

Like Ringer, Roushar also has high expectations for his offensive line this season. While he disagrees that blocking for Ringer is pressure — he views it as a great opportunity to block for a back of his caliber — Roushar said a lot of MSU’s success this season relies on the offensive line.

“The formula for any good football team, at any level, is if your offensive line plays well you have a chance to be a good football team,” Roushar said.

“If your offensive line doesn’t perform how it needs to, it makes it a rough struggle.

“We have to play well.”