Not bold predictions, not stating the obvious. Rather, these are just a few outcomes I believe the MSU football season will hold, and why that’s the case.
1. Cody White Declares for the Draft
- Cody White, the sure-handed Junior from Walled Lake, was a needed bright spot on the Spartan offense last season. That bright spot dims when you think of how much more of a factor he could’ve been, without injuries and stability around him, but I believe Cody White is the best player on the O-side. Lewerke (we’ll get to) cannot have a worse season than 2018, which means White’s production should increase as the #1 option. With a full 12 games, I have White with 78 receptions (42 in ’18), 1,030 yards (555 yds), and 8 TDs (2). These numbers, even in a loaded WR class, put him between the 2nd and 3rd round, and I think he chases the dream.
2. Anthony Williams wins the RB job
- Do you know him yet? Because you should. A low 3-star from Chicago was the 15th ranked recruit from Illinois, and the 49th best RB. But, Dantonio. Let this be your first warning: Williams is going to be a stud. He enters a running back room that holds zero clear starter, and an anonymous source, on spring ball, “Anthony Williams Jr. was running with the ones consistently a few days in. He was really one of the bright spots to a sloppy offense in March.”. La’Darius Jefferson has exhibited a fumble problem, and Heyward frankly doesn’t look like a RB, rather a LB. Because of the “Spartan way”, Williams won’t start the year, but by game 4, call it a guarantee.
3. Josiah Scott is B1G’s best CB
No LaVert Hill. No Jordan Fuller. Josiah Scott comes back from an injury-riddled season and finishes 2019 with the title of B1G’s best. Scott was only able to play in 4 games last season due to an injury, and excelled in his opportunities. He finished with 2 INTs in the 4 games and 6 PBUs. When given the opportunity to sit out the Redbox Bowl, in an attempt to save his redshirt eligibility, he passed. That is such a cocky move and I absolutely love it. Scott won’t need 5 years to prove his worth as a lockdown corner, and after adding AT LEAST 1 sack, 5 interceptions and 8 TFLs this season, he finds himself with a difficult decision to make in the offseason.
4. OL Improves, but how much?
Brian Lewerke had a rough season last year(we’ll get to this), but his offensive line certainly didn’t help his case. The big boys up front were a liability for the entire season, and continually struggled to open holes for any runners. Injuries played a factor, but the talent, size, and scheme were the downfall. This season will be (slightly) different. I expect this OLine to crawl out of the bottom of the B1G, but still stand as the 8th or 9th group in the league. The problem is the players that owned the worst OL in the B1G are all still here. 5-Star freshman Devonate Dobbs won’t hurt the cause, but I don’t expect him to start. They’ve taken a step in the right direction however, and it began with beefing up the line. If your OL’s weight averages out to less than 300 lbs, it’s a mediocre line. That’s my philosophy, and I stick to it. MSU’s OLine weighed 292 pounds last season on average, and made it a priority to beef up this offseason. Kevin Jarvis dropped 14 pounds to 307, but other than that the line looks like:
- Cole Chewins up 13 lbs to 303.
- Tyler Higby up 15 lbs to 300.
- Matt Allen up 3 lbs to 303.
- Jordan Reid up 30 lbs to 305.
This won’t hurt their cause, and will show in their development. Expect growth from the big boys, but don’t expect this group to be anything spectacular.
5. Willekes over Bachie
I’ve always held a bias to Kenny Willekes over Joe Bachie. Not sure why, but that trend continues here. Willekes grabs all the accolades and attention this season, and solidifies himself as the leader of this defense. Bachie will have a good year as well, obviously, but I can’t help but think Bachie is close to his ceiling in terms of potential, while Willekes has room to continue to grow. This isn’t a prediction knocking Bachie, more so commending the season Willekes has coming. MSU has an elite DL this season, and it may be difficult to double team Kenny W. You need to double Kenny W. I expect over 10 sacks, and even a strip-sack-turned-touchdown by the time his season ends. Willekes is a first round draft pick in the making, and he’ll put up the production that proves it.
6. Lewerke improves, but doesn’t reach 2016 form
Brian Lewerke will not play worse than 2018. It’s honestly almost impossible. 8 TD/11 INT is absolutely abysmal, and worthy of a quarterback battle this fall. Mark Dantonio still has faith in his gun-slinger, however, and injuries may have played a role on the senior QB’s play. Brad Salem looks to add the running threat of Lewerke back into his game, and a sneaky underrated group of receivers should help rebuild the confidence. Once looked at as a potential first round pick, it truly is a shame what impact one rough season can spell, and with the plethora of flaws in his game currently, expecting the senior QB to exceed his sophomore season seems like a unattainable feat. He will have the luxury of holding a defense that should be top 5 in the country, and his numbers should still be decent, but don’t expect to see the best Brian yet.
7. MSU vs. NW: Game of the Year?
There are so many factors to add to this game. This game holds so many implications. This game has an interesting recent history. This game has ~just~ enough top tier talent. How are you not ridiculously excited to watch this one?! The first true B1G test for transfer QB Hunter Johnson, Fitzgerald vs. Dantonio, battle for #1 MLB in the league, this matchup has EVERYTHING. I’ve flip-flopped back and forth on my winner of this game, and will continue to do so until the game comes. A win in Evanston could put MSU at 4-0. A loss could ignite the floodgates of a 7-5 season. I don’t care what game is on during this one, choose this game.
8. Spartans win 9+, Dantonio Retires
I’m not going to bullshit here. I can’t stand checking out other articles and reading “my sources” from a clearly non-credible writer. Your sources are a guess you totally made. With that being said, I have the privilege of having great relationships with 2 sources within the program. One is extremely accurate in his reports, while the other is usually 75/25, and taken with less validity. Why am I not giving names? Because they suddenly wouldn’t be told this info anymore, rightfully so. My extremely accurate source had this to say, when we discussed Dantonio’s future: “I think if we win 9 or more games in 2019, he retires. Under 9, I would guess not, but am not sure. He’s old, he’s tired. He seems grumpier, and a good season feels like the perfect ending for his legacy.”. Whether you believe this or not, it’s hard to argue this upcoming recruiting class doesn’t support the statement. The Spartans have never been elite recruiters, but the 2020 class is looking rough. I see a 10-3, maybe 9-4 season, where Dantonio is carried off the field after a bowl game win. He gets that last carry-out that he so desperately deserves. Enter Luke Fickell (But we’ll save that for another time).
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