MSU/UAB unit breakdown (unabridged)

[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.

[#1]

Solid analysis. I will be happy if we can:

1) Get Hoyer in a rhythm. A 55-70% day would be great.

2) Control the mental game: Limit turnovers (I expect fewer INT's because we won't be passing as much) / and not take stupid penalties.

3) Pick up 2nd/3rd and 1/2's on the ground which leads to:

4) Clock management. My biggest pet peeve of when we play scUM is that starting about halfway through the 3rd quarter they just run the ball over and over. So that by the time they end the drive, it's the fourth quarter and they're up by 2 scores (see 2005 game).

[Spartanic]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown. Sounds about right.

The one thing I am really interested in is the performance of the Spartan Secondary. If Harlon Barnett is accurate in his assessment, the Secondary could be a big plus for the Green and White this season.

[UABinBHM]

I'd say that's a pretty fair, unbiased assessment. UAB's biggest strength in terms of experience and talent combined would have to be our secondary. UAB's biggest strength in terms of raw talent would have to be at our RB and H-Back positions... but most of that talent is quite young. In fact, alot of our talent in general is quite young and that's what I see as our major obstacle this year.

UAB is already worlds ahead of last year's team in terms of conditioning and discipline, but it will be interesting to see how the freshmen react to a large, hostile crowd. The sophomores and above at UAB won't be phased as they've already played at some of the most hostile places in the country (@ Tennessee, @ Georgia, @ Florida State, etc).

[ERR]

Nice breakdown! I can't wait to see how we execute next Saturday. I hope that the secondary turns out to be better than this assessment. I think they could be.

[Chewy Goodness]

Why is our D-line so light? Somebody get these guys a pizza.

[UABinBHM]

Originally Posted by Chewy Goodness

Why is our D-line so light? Somebody get these guys a pizza.

That surprised me a little bit too. Your D-line is about as small as ours. They'll have more speed, but usually teams from the BCS prefer big bodies that can withstand the beatings they take over time throughout a game and the season overall.

[H-town Spartan]

I don't think you're giving MSU enough credit. We're playing UAB. I'll be extremely surprised if we don't score 40 points.

[UABinBHM]

Originally Posted by H-town Spartan

I don't think you're giving MSU enough credit. We're playing UAB. I'll be extremely surprised if we don't score 40 points.

Whoa now. I'm a little nervous about making predictions this year since we're so short on numbers, but you act as though UAB has not ever been competitive.

Since UAB moved to Division I about 10 years ago, only a handful of teams from BCS conferences have scored 40pts or more against UAB: Virginia Tech (1998), Wake Forrest (1999), Florida (2002), and South Carolina (2003). That's only 4 times out of the 20-25 BCS opponents we've played in that time.

In addition, UAB (and probably MSU as well) will be more run-oriented, so I would expect this to be a fairly quick, relatively lower scoring game. But again, having little idea what to expect from our team, MSU could score 40pts on us... I just kind of doubt it. In fact, I kind of even doubt MSU scores 30. I think both MSU and UAB will score 30pts or less.

[TeamCaptainJohn]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

Whoa now. I'm a little nervous about making predictions this year since we're so short on numbers, but you act as though UAB has not ever been competitive.

Since UAB moved to Division I about 10 years ago, only a handful of teams from BCS conferences have scored 40pts or more against UAB: Virginia Tech (1998), Wake Forrest (1999), Florida (2002), and South Carolina (2003). That's only 4 times out of the 20-25 BCS opponents we've played in that time.

In addition, UAB (and probably MSU as well) will be more run-oriented, so I would expect this to be a fairly quick, relatively lower scoring game. But again, having little idea what to expect from our team, MSU could score 40pts on us... I just kind of doubt it. In fact, I kind of even doubt MSU scores 30. I think both MSU and UAB will score 30pts or less.

you have 65 scholarship players. there are 44 freshman. for christ sake you have a dash in your name.........just playin'

javon, jehuu, AJ, AA, and the mop up crew will combine for 300+ on the ground against UAB

[Alan Finger]

Originally Posted by H-town Spartan

I'll be extremely surprised if we don't score 40 points.

[UABinBHM]

Originally Posted by fw190bvi

you have 65 scholarship players. there are 44 freshman. for christ sake you have a dash in your name.........just playin'

javon, jehuu, AJ, AA, and the mop up crew will combine for 300+ on the ground against UAB

Actually, we don't have a hyphen in our name. Never have and don't now.

[Spartan4ever]

Originally Posted by H-town Spartan

I don't think you're giving MSU enough credit. We're playing UAB. I'll be extremely surprised if we don't score 40 points.

It's just my opinion, and that is how I see the team at this point in time. I believe that they should be able to beat UAB by 17 or more points. If the DL is able to dominate the Blazer OL players and actually make plays in the backfield that way Narduzzi wants look for Baldwin, Long, Jordan, and others to have a big game.

With so many unknowns I just don't expect everything to come together the first game in the Dantonio era. Things will slowly become clearer throughout the course fo the season as players become more familiar with the objectives of both the offensive and defensive schemes.

[chitownsparty86]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

Whoa now. I'm a little nervous about making predictions this year since we're so short on numbers, but you act as though UAB has not ever been competitive.

Since UAB moved to Division I about 10 years ago, only a handful of teams from BCS conferences have scored 40pts or more against UAB: Virginia Tech (1998), Wake Forrest (1999), Florida (2002), and South Carolina (2003). That's only 4 times out of the 20-25 BCS opponents we've played in that time.

In addition, UAB (and probably MSU as well) will be more run-oriented, so I would expect this to be a fairly quick, relatively lower scoring game. But again, having little idea what to expect from our team, MSU could score 40pts on us... I just kind of doubt it. In fact, I kind of even doubt MSU scores 30. I think both MSU and UAB will score 30pts or less.

Thats true but from everything Im reading it looks like UAB could be EMU bad. I mean they lost everyone from a bad team last year. It seems like this is just a recipe to run all over you guys. Its not like I gthink UAB is some **** program or we are some juggernaut, but I do think we will be at least a middle tier big ten team and it looks like UAB could finish at the bottom in the CUSA and just seems like a recipe for a blowout.

[UABinBHM]

Originally Posted by chitownsparty86

Thats true but from everything Im reading it looks like UAB could be EMU bad. I mean they lost everyone from a bad team last year. It seems like this is just a recipe to run all over you guys. Its not like I gthink UAB is some **** program or we are some juggernaut, but I do think we will be at least a middle tier big ten team and it looks like UAB could finish at the bottom in the CUSA and just seems like a recipe for a blowout.

And that could be possible... but sometimes, losing alot of people off a bad team isn't bad. I'd rather lose 30 seniors off a 3-9 team than lose 30 seniors off a 9-3 team. Getting some fresh blood in there (both as players and coaches) means that the attitude of pessimism and losing won't be there as much as it was last year. The one thing I've heard and seen from watching practices this year is that this team is MUCH more upbeat and MUCH better conditioned and disciplined. UAB won't be wilting in the 4th quarter as was a hallmark of Watson Brown-coached teams.

Your OL against our DL is the key to the whole game for me. I think UAB can hold their own in most other positions, but if we can't stop the run game, we'll be in trouble... so that's the matchup I'll be looking at most closely.

[MichState04]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

And that could be possible... but sometimes, losing alot of people off a bad team isn't bad. I'd rather lose 30 seniors off a 3-9 team than lose 30 seniors off a 9-3 team. Getting some fresh blood in there (both as players and coaches) means that the attitude of pessimism and losing won't be there as much as it was last year. The one thing I've heard and seen from watching practices this year is that this team is MUCH more upbeat and MUCH better conditioned and disciplined. UAB won't be wilting in the 4th quarter as was a hallmark of Watson Brown-coached teams.

Your OL against our DL is the key to the whole game for me. I think UAB can hold their own in most other positions, but if we can't stop the run game, we'll be in trouble... so that's the matchup I'll be looking at most closely.

Anytime you lose that kind of experience and replace it with a bunch of freshman, it is not a good thing regardless of what the previous year's record is. When you look at the number of scholarship players UAB has (and how many of those are freshman ) I am beginning to raise my expectations on this game for MSU. I had earlier thought that 7-10 point win was likely. I now think that this game should be more like 17-24 pt win. Must establish the run and wear down the UAB D-Line.....then open it up with some strikes down field...balance is the key.

Also, it won't be so much that I expect UAB to wilt in the 4th quarter, but MSU is bigger and stronger (can't really argue that look at the difference in our line compared to yours) and it is possible that your guys will simply run out of gas...

[Spartan Pride]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

Your OL against our DL is the key to the whole game for me. I think UAB can hold their own in most other positions, but if we can't stop the run game, we'll be in trouble... so that's the matchup I'll be looking at most closely.

This is the big difference here. I just don't see anyway in hell that you guys come close to slowing down our run game (Which is always fantastic early in the year, until O-Line injuries come along) with Ringer's explosiveness and Caulcrick's power. Just because we will run the ball dosent mean we wont score. Ringer is always a threat to break one deep.

[UABinBHM]

Originally Posted by MichState04

Anytime you lose that kind of experience and replace it with a bunch of freshman, it is not a good thing regardless of what the previous year's record is. When you look at the number of scholarship players UAB has (and how many of those are freshman ) I am beginning to raise my expectations on this game for MSU. I had earlier thought that 7-10 point win was likely. I now think that this game should be more like 17-24 pt win. Must establish the run and wear down the UAB D-Line.....then open it up with some strikes down field...balance is the key.

Also, it won't be so much that I expect UAB to wilt in the 4th quarter, but MSU is bigger and stronger (can't really argue that look at the difference in our line compared to yours) and it is possible that your guys will simply run out of gas...

UAB's OL is significantly larger than your DL... MSU's OL is significantly larger than our DL. It's the same in both cases. UAB has some experienced players... we just don't have alot of depth of experienced players. I think only a handful of freshmen are actually starting for us, so we are only inexperienced in so much as we actually use the freshmen. I think UAB and MSU will both be able to run pretty well.

For those of you thinking this will be easy, I refer you all to this thread from last year... a year in which UAB went 3-9 no less: GAME ONE - OU vs UAB the score will be -- - SoonerFans.com Message Boards

[Spartan Pride]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

UAB's OL is significantly larger than your DL... MSU's OL is significantly larger than our DL. It's the same in both cases. UAB has some experienced players... we just don't have alot of depth of experienced players. I think only a handful of freshmen are actually starting for us, so we are only inexperienced in so much as we actually use the freshmen. I think UAB and MSU will both be able to run pretty well.

MSU has some 300 pound monster backups on the D-Line if size really does become a problem. Regardless, MSU's starting D-Linemen are still a good margin bigger than UAB's.

[Spartan4ever]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

UAB's OL is significantly larger than your DL... MSU's OL is significantly larger than our DL. It's the same in both cases. UAB has some experienced players... we just don't have alot of depth of experienced players. I think only a handful of freshmen are actually starting for us, so we are only inexperienced in so much as we actually use the freshmen. I think UAB and MSU will both be able to run pretty well.

For those of you thinking this will be easy, I refer you all to this thread from last year... a year in which UAB went 3-9 no less: GAME ONE - OU vs UAB the score will be -- - SoonerFans.com Message Boards

Comparing a game from last year where the players were all familiar with the schemes, and having a good portion of your starters being upper classmen, to this year where everything is new (as it will be for MSU) and compounded by the fact that much of the UAB starting line up is extremely green requires to many assumptions. One would have to assume that the young, inexperienced, replacement players are all better than the veterans they are replacing. As well as having a complete grasp of their assignments and playing in mid-season form.

As for the comment that your OL outweighs our DL, I have yet to see a DL in college or pro that fields a starting unit of comparable weight to that of an OL. There are several DT's that are in the 300+ category, but most fall under this weight. Defensive linemen are normally lighter and rely more on quickness. An example of this was last year's BCS NC game between OSU and UF. OSU's offensive line outweighed just about every single Florida defensive linemen, yet the Gator DL was continually in the Buckeye backfield disrupting plays because they were quicker off the ball.

Your smallish DL could really give MSU's OL difficulties if they are quicker and can shoot gaps. If they can't, they will get run over. MSU's DL may have the same problem if they aren't quick enough, however MSU is not giving up nearly 60 pounds per man like UAB is. Brandon Long is the lightest of the starters at 245. As a DE he is going to rely on his quickness and speed to get around your tackle. The remaining starters go 270, 290, 260, and the backups weigh in at 295, 290, 322, and 276.

[UABinBHM]

UAB's been undermanned and undersized against much of our competition. Heart, speed, and fundamentals can overcome alot of things you lack in size. The good thing about games like this (for us) is that UAB will have no trouble getting motivated... Michigan State, on the other hand, may have trouble getting motivated for little ole UAB from CUSA.

I think I'm ready to make a prediction, though... I'd like to think UAB will win, but I'm not expecting it. If we are successful controlling your rushing game, I say...

Michigan State- 13
UAB- 17

If we are not very successful controlling your rushing game (which I think is the more likely of the two scenarios), I say...

Michigan State- 28
UAB- 13

[arfabe16]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

If we are successful controlling your rushing game, I say...

Michigan State- 13
UAB- 17

If you can control our rushing game, Hoyer will go for 300 yards and win us the game.

Sorry.

[TeamCaptainJohn]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

UAB's been undermanned and undersized against much of our competition. Heart, speed, and fundamentals can overcome alot of things you lack in size. The good thing about games like this (for us) is that UAB will have no trouble getting motivated... Michigan State, on the other hand, may have trouble getting motivated for little ole UAB from CUSA.

I think I'm ready to make a prediction, though... I'd like to think UAB will win, but I'm not expecting it. If we are successful controlling your rushing game, I say...

Michigan State- 13
UAB- 17

If we are not very successful controlling your rushing game (which I think is the more likely of the two scenarios), I say...

Michigan State- 28
UAB- 13

you should watch some video quotes from the coaching staff. if he still had NCAA eligibility, would suite up there and pop some heads coming over the middle himself. this team has underachieved for 3 years, and is HUNGRY. combined with the revitalization brought on by a new coach....... we are not overlooking ANYTHING

[ToP]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

Michigan State, on the other hand, may have trouble getting motivated for little ole UAB from CUSA.

After last season and given how I think Dantonio operates, the players damn well better be motivated.

[Leonidas]

Originally Posted by UABinBHM

UAB is already worlds ahead of last year's team in terms of conditioning and discipline,

Sounds familier, but I'm not sure where I heard that before. It's amazing how people know this before they've seen their respective teams play.

Apparently, they serve in Birmingham too!