[Spartan4ever]

MSU vs. UAB: This is an interesting matchup from the point that both squads will be lead by new head coaches, both are converting from the spread offense. Where the similarity ends is that UAB only has 67 scholarship players to MSU’s almost full accompaniment of 85. Of the almost 100 players on the UAB squad, 44 are listed as freshmen. This is an extremely young inexperienced team. Head coach Neil Callaway was the OL coach and the OC at UGA last year under Mark Richt. I expect Callaway to maintain last year’s UGA average of 55% run, 45% pass when UAB faces the Spartans to allow his young OL to get a chance to jell.

MSU DL vs. UAB OL: UAB returns two starters from a unit that surrendered 28 sacks, and just 3.5 yards/carry on the ground. Sophomore center Jake Seitz, and senior tackle Adam Truitt are the only returnees. The rest of the group will be filled by senior guard JaMarius Dismuke (6’5”, 320), freshman tackle Mike McCants (6’7”, 295), and RS freshman guard Adam Hollifield. MSU will counter with junior Justin Kershaw (6’5”, 260) and senior Ogemdi Nwagbuo (6’4”, 290) on the inside, and senior Ervin Baldwin (6’3”, 270) and junior Brandon Long (6’4”, 245) at the ends. There will be two very interesting matchups to watch with regard to the line play. UAB tackle Mike McCants will be assigned to contain Ervin Baldwin, and RSF guard Adam Hollifield will have his hands full trying to stop Justin Kershaw. The winners of each of these confrontations will dictate the success or failure of their team’s chances. Advantage: Slight edge MSU.

MSU LB’s vs. UAB RB’s: Coming out of preseason camp it appears that sophomore Rashad Slaughter (5’9”, 185) has won the battle to be the featured RB. As mentioned, UAB is converting from the spread, which means they will also be employing a FB/H-back to lead Slaughter through the hole. The man assigned to be the lead blocking back is senior David Sigler (6’3”, 250). Both Slaughter and Sigler were receivers in the spread last year, so they probably are very capable of catching the ball coming out of the backfield. Kaleb Thornhill returns for his third year as starting MIKE, but he will be flanked by two RSF rookies in SAM Jon Misch (6’2”, 200 sopping wet) and WILL Eric Gordon (6’, 220). Advantage: Even.

MSU DB’s vs. UAB Receivers: UAB returns only one starter from last year’s receiving unit, junior Sylvester Mencer (5’11”, 180). Nick **** (6’2”, 185) is a senior who was in the rotation last season but is not listed as having caught any passes. The Blazers situation is eerily similar to that of the Spartans by losing three of their top receivers from last year’s squad. The much maligned Spartan secondary returns two starters at Safety, junior Otis Wiley (6’2, 214), and senior Nehemiah Warrick (6’1”, 208). Wiley was MSU’s leading tackler and it’s most consistent DB. The CB positions will be manned by RS sophomore Ross Weaver (6’1”, 202) and junior Kendell Davis Clark (5’11”, 199). MSU has switched to a “Press” coverage scheme with the corners playing up on the receivers, creating a much larger margin for error if receivers can beat them in the first ten yards. Advantage: Even.

UAB QB: The quarterback situation is unsettled and Callaway has stated he will platoon senior Sam Hunt (6’3”, 215) and sophomore Joseph Webb (6’4”, 210). Webb will also be biding time at receiver when he isn’t under center. Because this is a transition year, much of the UAB offensive personnel is geared towards the pass. Both Hunt and Webb have experience but will be throwing to a relatively inexperienced group of receivers. UAB might want to test the revamped Spartan secondary by stretching the field with a few deep passes early. The outcome will determine if they continue to go deep or if they revert to a more midrange game (10-15 yard routes) and swing passes/bubble screens to their backs.

The key for the Blazers offense against the Spartan defense will be the play of their OL. True freshman tackle Mike McCants will be responsible for protecting the QB’s backside, and will be going against MSU’s best pass rusher in Baldwin. If he has difficulty handling Baldwin UAB will be forced to double team him with either a TE or keeping the H-back into block. The same goes for MSU’s tackles Kershaw and Nwagbuo, as both will be lining up against two inexperienced guards, one being a RS freshman, Adam Hollifield. If he has any difficulty UAB will be forced to use their center Jake Seitz to help out. UAB will need a stalemate at the minimum in each of these two matchups in order for their offense to have success moving the ball.

MSU OL vs. UAB DL: The Spartan offensive line has switched to keeping a hand down, and expecting them to initiate first contact instead of sitting back on their heals and having the defense come to them. MSU will line up with senior Peter Clifford (6’7”, 316) and junior Jesse Miller (6’6”, 307) at the tackles. Senior Kenny Shane (6’5”, 325) and junior Roland Martin (6’5, 325) man the guard positions and senior John Masters (6’4”, 285) takes over at center. Clifford is filling in for Mike Gyetvai while his shoulder continues to heal from off season surgery. Only recently has Gyetvai started to take contact on the shoulder and the coaching staff is taking it slow to insure he will be able to last the season. The UAB front four averages 251 pounds and returns two starters in seniors Brandon Jeffries (6’4”, 250, DE), and Jerrickus Speights (6’5”, 255, NT). Complementing these two will be sophomore DT Antonio Forbes (6’4, 265), and RSF DE Bryant Turner (6’2”, 235). It is still not known how the Spartan OL will perform for the first time under their new directive in blocking. UAB’s front four will be undermanned and will have to rely on quickness to disrupt the flow of the Spartan offense. Advantage: MSU.

MSU RB’s vs. UAB LB’s: With the offensive emphasis now being placed on the run game, MSU will use bruising senior Jehuu Caulcrick (6’, 255) and electric junior Javon Ringer (5’9”, 202) to handle the majority of the workload. Both have shown the ability to break tackles and enough speed to outrun defenders. Junior Jeff McPherson (6’1”, 240) will be counted on to lead this group through the holes as MSU returns to the use of a fullback after a four year hiatus. Spelling Caulcrick and Ringer will be RS sophomore A. J. Jimmerson (5’10”, 202), and true freshman Andre Anderson (5’8”, 182). The job of stopping this group will fall on the shoulders of lone returning starter WILL junior Joe Henderson (6’2”, 220) and his two newcomers MIKE BJ Steed (6’1”, 220, SO), and SAM Kris Guyton (6’3”, 230, Jr.). Advantage: MSU.

MSU Receivers vs. UAB DB’s: With the loss of three top receivers, the switch away from four-receiver sets and the relative inexperience of the MSU receiving corps it is difficult to determine how this group will perform. Throw in the disciplinary actions taken against exciting sophomore TJ Williams, and senior Terry Love, two receivers with sufficient playing time, MSU just might be content with running on just about every play. Senior TE Kellen Davis (6’6”, 254) has had an uninspiring career to date and will be the Spartans most experienced receiver when they take the field. As it stands coming out of preseason camp juniors Deon Curry (6’1”, 199) and Devin Thomas (6’2”, 214) have been named the starters at WR. Neither has much playing time. UAB’s secondary is lead by junior CB Kevin Sanders (5’11”, 185), and senior Free Safety Will Dunbar (6’1”, 195). Both recorded three interceptions in 2006, with Dunbar also being the leading returning tackler for the Blazers. Joining these two will be seniors Zach Britten (5’10”, 180, CB) and SS Durrell Fuqua (5’11”, 185). Advantage: UAB

MSU QB: Brian Hoyer takes over for second round NFL draft pick Drew Stanton. Though Hoyer was Stanton’s backup he did more than hold a clip board for the past two seasons. He started against both Minnesota and Penn State last season after Stanton went down with an injury. Hoyer will be throwing to a group of receivers with limited experience, but thankfully the emphasis is not on the passing game. Hoyer’s job will be to effectively manage the offense by handing off to his ensemble running backs and throwing only when the situation presents itself. That means when the defense begins to cheat by moving defenders in or closer to the box leaving the receivers in one-on-one coverage.

With this being the first game of the season for two teams that have experienced a coaching change as well as a change in the style of play, expect more than enough mistakes on both sides. Dantonio has stressed focus for his players and playing smart by eliminating penalties that have plagued this program for many years. On paper MSU will have the advantage man wise, but as most Spartan fans have come to know that that is no certainty for a win as they have lost to much lesser talented teams before.

Dantonio will come out offensively by establishing the run. Don’t expect anything to extravagant as OC Don Treadwell will play it close to the vest with a very vanilla game plan. He will throw just enough to keep the Blazer defense from over committing to stopping the run, but wants the Spartans to become familiar with their assignments in the running game. Because of this I don’t expect a high scoring affair on the part of MSU unless UAB is simply unable to stop Caulcrick and Ringer from ripping off huge gains or taking it to the house. Defensively the Spartan DC Narduzzi will be looking to see how his unit is communicating and if they are able to eliminate/reduce the miscommunication that has caused significant breakdowns in coverage.

I see MSU winning by seventeen or more points with the combined total points under fifty.