mlive.com preview and prediction
http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2013/09/matchup_youngstown_state_a_mor.htmlEAST LANSING — The red flags are abundant, and the alarm bells should be sounding.
After two Saturdays of storms posing the largest threat in Spartan Stadium, a well-coached FCS school from Ohio poses the biggest threat of ruining the day for Michigan State fans this Saturday.
It's Youngstown State -- a four-time FCS national champion that's on its way back up, with an arguably more accomplished coaching staff than Michigan State boasts and hungry, talented players with something to prove.
The Spartans have a championship defense, but the Penguins will be more equipped to handle that at quarterback than any previous opponent, bringing a three-year starter and the school's first-ever three year team captain to battle.
Michigan State, meanwhile, still has four different quarterbacks scrambling for the starting job -- including a true freshman in Damion Terry who may or may not see his first playing time.
Here's a position-by-position breakdown:
QUARTERBACK
Youngstown State: Kurt Hess -- a 6-3, 230 three-year starter and captain -- might be the best QB in the game. Hess operates out of the pocket, but he has some mobility, having only been sacked 30 times in 35 career starts.
Michigan State: Connor Cook has the arm strength and mobility Michigan State coaches love, but freshman Damion Terry might steal the show as he's reputed to have a more accurate arm and even better running skills. Andrew Maxwell is a steady hand who may be called upon.
EDGE: Youngstown State
RUNNING BACK
Youngstown State: The Penguins go by committee. Senior Torrian Pace is a power back while freshmen Martin Ruiz and Jody Webb are freshmen burners who both went over 100 yards last week. Adaris Bellamy missed last week with an ankle and might be the best of the bunch.
Michigan State: The Spartans are content with the three-headed monster of Jeremy Langford, Riley Bullough and Nick Hill. It's mildly surprising Delton Williams couldn't crack the rotation, because none of the three has exhibited elevated play to this point.
EDGE: Even
WIDE RECEIVER
Youngstown State: Christian Bryan is a 3-year starter, whose first game was against Michigan State two years ago. Michael Wheary has also emerged. Andre Stubbs is a small but very quick target. Marcel Caver (6-3) and Andrew Williams (6-4) were prep basketball stars who can go up and get the ball. Tight ends are solid but have not factored heavily into pass game.
Michigan State: Macgarrett Kings Jr. looks to be a reliable target, but Aaron Burbridge has lacked focus and is off to a disappointing start. True freshman R.J. Shelton has earned more time. Bennie Fowler is still in the mix, and Tony Lippett is supposedly going to get another chance. Keith Mumphery appears injured. DeAnthony Arnett was once again left off the depth chart. Tight ends have disappointed.
EDGE: Youngstown State
OFFENSIVE LINE
Youngstown State: Senior center Chris Elkins (6-4, 300) is a preseason All-American. RT Andrew Sinko (6-4, 295) is a senior first-year starter, RG Brock Eisenhuth (6-5, 315) is a redshirt freshman, LG Fred Herdman (6-4, 290) is a senior first-year starter and LT Kyle Bryant (6-7, 320) is a Detroit high school product who transferred from Bowling Green.
Michigan State: Jack Allen, a freshman All-American, might be back at RG. If so, Jack Conklin will be back at LT, where he is more effective. Senior Fou Fonoti is still getting in shape and hasn't been able to handle a full game at RT. Center Travis Jackson and LG Blake Treadwell have been adequate.
EDGE: Even
DEFENSIVE LINE
Youngstown State: DE Terrell Williams is an agile 255-pounder, while senior Kyle Sirl (6-3, 260) has been solid. Sophomore DT Emmanuel Kromah (6-2, 280) might be the soft spot. NTs Octavius Brown (6-0, 305) and D.J. Moss (5-11, 290) might be hard to move.
Michigan State: DE Shilique Calhoun has scored three TDs but been run on. Marcus Rush is fighting to keep the starting job over Denzel Drone at the other end. Tyler Hoover is off to a strong start at DT, while Micajah Reynolds has been adequate at NT.
EDGE: Michigan State
LINEBACKERS
Youngstown State: A Penguins strength. Teven Williams is a three-year starter at MLB, while Travis Williams is a three-year starter at WLB. Dom Rich is a senior captain at SLB who is a second-year starter. A very active, aggressive group.
Michigan State: The heart of the Spartans football team, led by senior MLB Max Bullough. Senior SLB Denicos Allen has been a catalyst for turnovers. The WLB is split between Taiwan Jones and pass defense specialist Jairus Jones.
EDGE: Michigan State
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Youngstown State: Solid cornerbacks with Julius Childs and DeVon McKoy, and a hard-hitting team captain at strong safety with Donald D'Alesio. The weak link could be redshirt freshman Jameel Smith at free safety.
Michigan State: Trae Waynes has stolen the show at cornerback, as preseason All-American Darqueze Dennard is off to a slow start by his high standards. Kurtis Drummond has been a highlight reel at free safety, while Isaiah Lewis has provided steady play at strong safety.
EDGE: Michigan State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Youngstown State: Punter Nick Liste is off to a great starter, booming 64- and 62-yard punts in the opener and a 59-yarder last week. Kicker Joey Cejudo is a JC transfer who connected on a 37-yarder last week and has 50-yard range. Stubbs has been an efficient return man.
Michigan State: Punter Mike Sadler is the big star, with 10 punts inside opponents' 20. Kevin Muma missed a 25-yard field goal. Neither kick nor punt return has made a positive impact play, though Andre Sims did have a costly fumble last week.
EDGE: Youngstown State
COACHING
Youngstown State: Penguins HC Eric Wolford and two of his YSU assistants were on Illinois' 2008 Rose Bowl staff, and assistant head coach Mark Mangino was national head coach of the year in 2007 and was Oklahoma's offensive coordinator when the Sooners won the 2000 national title.
Michigan State: Mark Dantonio is off to the best six-year start for a head coach in Michigan State's history, and DC Pat Narduzzi has become one of the more coveted assistant coaches in the nation. Co-OCs Dave Warner and Jim Bollman have been strapped by the great QB debate, and it has kept the offensive staff from operating with any rhythm.
EDGE: Even
PREDICTION
Michigan State 20, Youngstown State 10