Tbone may choose to post a response from someone more in the know than I. (tbone will be in parenthesis and italic)
#1. Schedule
I know it's a shocker to all of you, but I have some friends who like to gamble. Prior to the 2010 season, one of these asked me about making a bet on the Spartans. He had a bet on the table that MSU would win less than 8 games. The Spartans were coming off a 6-7 season with some off the field trouble and seemed like a team in flux. It was hard to imagine how they'd be vastly improved in one off-season. With all that in mind, I advised my friend against making the bet, in fact, I informed him it was a terrible bet. There was really only one reason, the schedule.
In 2010 MSU's schedule was the weakest in maybe all of the Big Ten. One of their "away" games was against a Florida team at Ford Field. Ohio State was off the schedule, they got Wisconsin at home. It was hard to see how the Spartans could lose more than 4 or 5 games. Granted, they came together and had a better season than most expected, even with expectations that considered the weak schedule.
How much of a role did the schedule play? That's for Tbone to answer. What I do know is this: last year's schedule paved a nice road to success and this year's schedule is simply brutal. Would the Spartans have won last year's miracle game if it was played in South Bend? Throw OSU back on the schedule and add playing in the horseshoe. Welcome Nebraska to the Big Ten with a trip to Lincoln. The roadblocks are much more prominent this season. It's easy to envision a better MSU team with a much more pedestrian record.
(This looks like two questions. I guess the first question you want answered is last years success. Yes, our schedule helped a lot. It could have been harder. But its not like UM's schedule was any harder. UCONN was supposed to be a huge barometer for your teams rest of schedule success. They were an 8-5 squad with awful losses to Louisville, Temple, and the 2010 UM football team. All this says is that hype in teams doesnt matter in the preseason. As for our 2011 schedule, it is harder on paper. We still get Wisconsin at home, we have UM at home and we play OSU during their 5th game, so players will still be missing. Do I think we will got 11-1+? no. But 9-3+ seems attainable and perfectly fine with me.)
#2. Tackles Have Not Played a Down
This unit is as green as Sparty. (OK, that was brutal, but the point stands) One projected starting tackle was a defensive lineman last season. Position switch starters are rarely a positive sign. When those players are also switching sides of the ball it's an even greater cause for worry. The Spartans are replacing three key pieces on their offensive line, both tackles and the center position. The unproven nature of the Spartans Oline this year could bring down the entire season.
When Cousins has time in the pocket he's a surgeon, but when he's hurried he quickly turns into a butcher. He will likely make better decisions this season even under duress, but it's hard to envision the Spartans offense being successful without good Oline play. The backfield is stacked with quality players, but they too need holes generated by the Oline. Usually with inexperienced offensive lineman, you get players who are good at either pass blocking or run blocking, but not often both. How this unit comes together will likely determine if the Spartans are in hunt for the Big Ten title game or fighting to make a bowl game.
(This is a legit concern. And I wont even try to argue otherwise. However, I will try to talk them up a bit. Skylar Burkland is a redshirt freshman and I haven't read one bad thing about him. Hes big, hes fast, and is knocking the defensive ends on their asses in scrimmage. Jared Mcgaha, is a senior, he has played in every eligible season and has started. hes not as thick as Dan However, Jared is 6-6. Dan France came from the defensive line. However, he was originally recruited as a OT out of high school. This unit will make mistakes, false starts, etc. Hopefully they will learn quick..... And you may remember this position switch, he came from the defensive line. O, here's an image:
(plus with all this youth, imagine the unit next year, sounds like future best OL in the B1G.)
#3. Youth Movement at Linebacker
Max Bullough may just be the next coming of Chris Spielman, but he's also a true sophomore who played at a tiny northern Michigan school replacing an All-American level performer in Greg Jones. The Spartans also must replace Eric Gordon. It's easy to fall into the trap that a more athletic young player will offer an upgrade over a four year starter. (I've done that before only to experience doom) I think MSU has some depth and talent at this position, but can they simply plug these guys in and get consistent production or will this unit suffer through growing pains?
(This is obviously another position concern, but in my mind not as large as the offensive line. This is mainly due to our defensive line. Max has been doing everything right in practice, has been vocal on the line, and is earning high praise from the coaches. Will he make some mistakes? yes. However, his linebacker mates are on track for big seasons. I love Chris Norman, Steve Gardinier, and Denicos Allen. It should be noted that Max is listed as the starter alone, no classic "or" that Mark Dantonio likes to use. That alone should show you where Max is at.)
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