The X-Factor For the Spartans Against Boise State Will Be...

Spartan kicker Dan Conroy
Photo Courtesy of: Mlive.com

By Blain Bradley
@blainbradley201

August 31st is almost here and the Spartans are growing anxious as their nationally televised game verse Boise State approaches. The BCS-busting Broncos look to take down the 13th ranked Spartans. Michigan State will need to be clicking on all cylinders to beat the Broncos. The team will need all units to perform exceptionally well.

The Spartans will Need an "x-factor" in order to win the Boise game, as well as other tough games down the road (Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, etc.). That "x-factor" will come in the form of the special teams unit. Special teams is often considered to be one of the most crucial components in a successful season. The Spartans have weapons on specials that will cause frustrations for many teams.

The biggest weapon in the Spartans' special teams arsenal is kicker Dan Conroy. In Phil Steele's 2012 College Football Preview, Spartan kicker Dan Conroy is ranked as the sixth best in the nation. The senior kicker from Wheaton, Illinois is poised and accurate. He is a fifth year senior who will be a third year starter this fall. He is a preseason favorite to earn numerous place kicking accolades (specifically the Lou Groza Award). Over his career, Conroy has made 82% of his field goal attempts. He is 93 for 94 in PAT attempts. Conroy can prove to be big in tight games. He has great range and veteran instinct. Conroy will attribute to the Spartans scoring. The Spartan offense appears to be suspect at times, with new quarterback Andrew Maxwell taking the reigns. Look for Conroy to make big plays this season.

Mark Dantonio has preached the importance of special teams during his tenure at MSU. According to msuspartans.com:

" Since Dantonio's arrival to East Lansing in 2007, a Spartan kicker or punter has earned All-Big Ten recognition six times, and MSU has also produced Big Ten leaders in kickoff returns and punt returns. In addition, MSU led the Big Ten last season with five blocked kicks and scored two touchdowns on special teams."

The proof is in the pudding. Statistics show that blocked punts/kicks increase a team's chance of winning by over 50%. Creating such a situation is key to gaining a momentum swing. 

Handling the kickoff will be returning starter Kevin Muma. He is a strong leg kicker who frequently kicks for touchbacks. Muma will also be the reserve placekicker.

Mike Sadler will be punting the ball away. Sadler earned praise as a redshirt freshman last year. He will look to pin back opposing punt return teams. 

Sophomore running back Nick Hill will be the return specialist. Hill is explosive and lightning quick. He has an eye for small openings in hectic return situations. Hill will fill the void left behind from the departure of Keyshawn Martin (Martin currently is playing for the Houstan Texans).

Special Teams will be key for numerous reasons this season. The Spartans are a young team with a stellar defense and questionable offense. They will find themselves forcing many teams to punt the ball away. On the other end of the spectrum, the Spartans may find themselves punting frequently too. Regardless of the situation, look for the Spartan special teams to step up at the right moments. 

Michigan State Defensive Line Preview

From The Orlando Sentinel blogs

By Blain Bradley
 

"Offense wins games, defense wins championships." The Spartans will have to believe in this phrase in order to have on field success this season. Michigan State's defense was ranked sixth in the nation in total defense, allowing only 277.4 yards a game. 

Much of the defense's success came from the play of the d-line. The big boys up front were anchored by defensive tackle and current Green Bay Packer Jerel Worthy (currently Worthy is rotating in the starting lineup and impressing coaches and teammates at Packer's training camp). Although Worthy is gone, Spartan fans can rejoice in the fact that seasoned veterans return such as Marcus Rush and William Gholston. Both had impacts last season. 

College football insider Phil Steele ranked Michigan State's defensive line the 10th best unit in the nation. He notes that the Spartan front line was key last season allowing only 101 rushing yards per game. The Spartans also tallied 45 quarterback sacks. This year Steele says the Spartans will rely on William Gholston to rally the front four.

Gholston (who is cousin to former Buckeye and current Chicago Bear Vernon Gholston) is a physical specimen, standing 6 feet 7 inches and weighing 278 pounds. He has a freakish reach that will allow him to disengage blockers and create separation. He is a preseason favorite for the Bednarik, Hendricks, Lombardi, Camp, and Nagurski awards. Gholston also holds preseason All American Titles from CBSSports.com (2nd Team) and Phil Steele (3rd Team).

Gholston is looking to have a big year, largely due to the fact that he is a hot draft prospect. Last year he had a little slip up against rival Michigan. In an incident that has gained fame via internet clips, Gholston punched Wolverine quarterback Denard Robinson during a scrum on the ground. Gholston served a suspension handed by the Big Ten for the incident. He has put it aside and looks to lead the Spartan D-line and defensive unit.

The defensive line preseason depth chart reads as follows: Defensive End Marcus Rush (6-2, 250 SO) Defensive Tackle Anthony Rashad White (6-2, 330 SR) Nose Tackle Tyler Hoover (6-7, 310 SR-5) or James Kittredge (6-4, 272 SO) Defensive End William Gholston (6-7, 278 JR)

Marcus Rush, an Ohio native, enters his second starting season. He has numerous preseason accolades and is praised by coaches. As a redshirt freshman he earned Big Ten Freshman Defensive MVP honors from ESPN.com. Rush is excited about the depth of the defensive line. In an interview from the Lansing State Journal Rush stated:

“Your goal is to have that comfort zone that you can come out and rest for a couple plays and be able to come back in, and that's great. We’re gonna be that much more fresh and more powerful.”

Anthony Rashad White has some tough shoes to fill. The senior from Battle Creek is replacing All American d-tackle Jerel Worthy. White appeared in 13 games, but he is best known for the blocked field goal that set up the Outback Bowl win for the Spartans. He has pure size and strength. His veteran experience will help him endure the season long battle in the trenches.

Tyler Hoover, a fifth year senior from Novi, is in a heated position battle With James Kittredge (a Ramsey, New Jersey). Hoover added 20 pounds to his frame in order to make the switch from d-end to nose tackle. He suffered a fractured rib last season, yet he impressed coaches during the Green and White scrimmage. Hoover won the Danziger Award as a sophomore (this is presented to the team's most impressive Detroit area player). He tallied nine starts as a sophomore and had a huge impact. Hopefully Hoover stays healthy and produces this season.

Kittredge is a product of Don Bosco Prep, a national football powerhouse that has reached the top of high school polls across the nation. He was an Under Armour All American, who originally committed to Vanderbilt. Kittredge originally played Offensive Line at Vandy, appearing in games as a true freshman at guard and center. He sat last season out during the transfer period and has three years of eligibility left. Kittredge's father played with coach Dantonio at South Carolina. Kittredge had a falling out with the Vanderbilt program and wanted a team allowing him to play on the defensive side of the ball. Kittredge was originally recruited by MSU as a d-lineman in high school. He has a high motor and instinct for making plays. 

Both Kittredge and Hoover are excellent players. What might be best is a hybrid nose tackle role in which both players rotate. Hoover offers overwhelming size and experience, while Kittredge is quick and versatile. A combination could prove to be a secret weapon in the Spartans defensive arsenal.

A defensive unit is anchored by the d-line. With a deep squad, experienced veterans, freak athletes, and hungry younger players, the MSU d-line will set a precedent for the rest of the squad. Look for a big season from the front four.

Michigan State Offensive Line Preview

Guard Chris McDonald at work during a preseason practice

Photo from Michigan State Spartans Official Facebook Page

                                                

By Blain Bradley

Summer is winding to a close and the grind of the gridiron has begun. The Spartans look to continue their on field success this year with a team that is young and hungry. As the old adage goes a football game is won in the trenches. The Spartans O-Line looks strong and determined this year. Great offensive line play will be needed this season. Junior LeVeon Bell and the Spartan running backs will rely on them for protection. Bell is returning off a 948 yard, 13 touchdown season. Credit for his on field success is largely given to the Spartan line.

Last season the Spartans finished in the middle of the pack in sacks allowed in the Big Ten. In a conference that is known for defensive pressure this can be alarming. New Quarterback Andrew Maxwell will need to rally the big boys together and depend on them to protect him from big time pressure. The key to quarterback success is trusting your teammates around you. The biggest trust is between a quarterback and his receivers. Second to that comes the offensive line.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked line positions is that of the tight end. When you break it down a tight end is still a linemen. The Spartans will play big bodied tight end Dion Sims from Detroit. The motor city man is a solid 6 foot 5 inches with 285 pounds on his frame. The junior was named to the Mackey Award watch list. College football guru Phil Steele put Sims amongst the top tight ends in the nation. Sims is a tough player who played the second half of last season with a broken hand. Sims has nice speed on the outside for sweep plays and stretch plays that require clean blocks. Look for him to have a big season.

The preseason depth chart lists the following starters on the O-Line: Left Tackle Dan France (6-6 315, JR) Left Guard Blake Treadwell (6-3 300, JR) Center Travis Jackson (6-3 280, SO) Right Guard Chris McDonald (6-5 298, SR-5) Right Tackle Fou Fonoti (6-4 296 SR) Tight End Dion Sims (6-5 285, JR).

Perhaps what is most impressive about Michigan State's offensive line is that eight players have some starting experience under their belt. Experience will be key in a schedule that leaves no margin for error. When asked about his thoughts on MSU's O-Line during media day, Coach Dantonio responded with the following statement: "If you can run the ball and protect the passer, we're going to be pretty successful on offense. So it's very, very important."

Offensive Line coach Mark Staten feels more comfortable with this years unit. He has a better understanding of the depth that the Spartans have up front. He is also highly pleased with the quality of players.

As of now Blake Treadwell is recovering from a tibia fracture. Replacing him is Redshirt Freshman Jack Allen. Allen has impressed coaches with great run blocking and a tenacity to fight back during tough drives. He has great work ethic according to coaches.

With the first game being August 31st against the scrappy Boise State Broncos, the Spartans have little time to prepare. If all the pieces click well, the Spartans can score a big win at home on national television. It will all start with the offensive line and their desire to persevere through a long, grueling season.