Michigan State Football: Spring Practice Storylines That Matter

Michigan State football spring practice is here; let’s take a look at the storylines that matter – what’s the big deal, what to worry about, and what’s all set.

Michigan State is still playing college football …

Michigan has turned into a circus, and Ohio State is always going to be the big, bad empire, but it’s Michigan State that won the Big Ten title and reached the College Football Playoff. It’s Michigan State that beat Michigan and Ohio State last season. It’s Michigan State that continues to be a wee bit out of the spotlight as everyone waits for the next goofy thing Jim Harbaugh does.

But even though Michigan State does have the right attitude and continues to roll right along, there’s a ton of work to do this spring to keep up the pace in the brutal Big Ten East.

It all starts with replacing Connor Cook and finding a new leader at quarterback – even if Cook wasn’t always considered the leader of the attack. Just four starters are back on offense, while the defense has to replace most of the line and needs to be far tougher and better in the back seven.

Is Michigan State still a machine with a system that keeps on working, or is this going to be a rebuilding year? Considering the recent success, this might be the Big Ten East’s most important spring session.

No one is worried about …

The linebacking corps. The running backs should be the team’s biggest strength with L.J. Scott, Gerald Holmes and Madre London a deadly trio to carry the offense – with Delton Williams in the mix, too – but it’s the linebacking corps that could turn into the backbone – or needs to be – if the Spartans are going to back in the East title hunt.

The linebacking corps gets back leading tackler Riley Bullough and veteran Jon Reschke, but it’s the return of Ed Davis after missing all of last year that should provide the biggest boost for the defense. Darien Harris is gone, but Davis is a pass rushing tone-setter who’ll be the star – eventually – coming back from a knee injury.

Extra attention must be given to …

The quarterback situation. No matter what he does the rest of his life, Tyler O’Connor will always be the guy who led MSU to the win over Ohio State. With Connor Cook out, O’Connor stepped in and didn’t crash and burn. He only threw for 89 yards, but he didn’t throw a pick and he got the win. While he has the experience, Damion Terry is another veteran who’ll get every shot, and new recruit Messiah deWeaver is an interesting option who’ll be in the mix. But it’s going to be a fight between Terry and O’Connor. If one of them stands out this spring, consider him a lock for the job.