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| Sunday, August 12 Updated: August 13, 10:38 PM ET Duckett to carry Spartan offense By Jeff Potrykus Special to ESPN.com |
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Michigan State Spartans 2000 record: 5-6 (2-6). Coach: Bobby Williams (2nd year, 6-6). Starters returning: 6 offense, 6 defense, 2 kickers. Outlook: Despite all his physical gifts, junior tailback T.J. Duckett can't carry the entire offense on his 6-1, 252-pound frame. Duckett, who rushed for 1,353 yards last season, needs help and so does the offense, which was 10th in the Big Ten in scoring at 17.9 points per game. Williams seems poised to implement components of the spread offense into his arsenal. But whatever the scheme the staff must stop playing musical chairs with his quarterbacks, sophomore Jeff Smoker and senior Ryan Van Dyke. The juggling didn't work last season and there is no reason to think it will this season. Unfortunately for the Spartans, spring practice didn't settle the issue. The receiving corps, lackluster a year ago, is a potential area of strength and depth this time. Yet if the quarterback play doesn't improve and an untested offensive line with four new starters doesn't come together quickly, the wide receivers may not see the ball often enough. Meanwhile, defense should again be a strength, though there are several question marks. Who will replace cornerback Renaldo Hill and free safety Richard Newsome, the team MVP? Who will supply a pass rush so the Spartans can improve upon their sack total of 17, last in the Big Ten? Until the offense proves it can score consistently the defense can't afford any measurable drop-off. Keep an eye on: WR Charles Rogers. You won't have difficulty locating Rogers on the field. Rogers, a 6-4, 207-pound sophomore, was academically ineligible last season and the offense missed his big-play potential. Michigan State's defensive backs, who faced Rogers in practice each week, say he was the toughest receiver they faced all season. The coaches believe Rogers has the potential to be a more dominating performer than Plaxico Burress, one of the stars from the 1999 team that beat Florida in the Citrus Bowl and finished 10-2. Key game: Michigan State fans and some analysts are pointing to the Sept. 22 trip to South Bend as critical. Wrong. After an emotional victory over the Irish last season the Spartans dropped their first four Big Ten games, opening with an embarrassing home loss to Northwestern. The Spartans open the Big Ten season on Sept. 29 with a rematch against Northwestern. A victory over the defending co-champion Wildcats would be huge. It's a good year if... After slipping from 10-2 to 5-6 last season, Williams can't afford another mediocre season in 2001. If the offense generates some consistency, the defense remains strong and the players cut down on foolish penalties, the Spartans could compete for a decent bowl game. If not, fans might wonder whether MSU administrators chose the right coach after Nick Saban departed. Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
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