Michigan State Football: 5 questions Spartans must answer in 2018
1. Is the offensive line capable of getting a consistent push?
Michigan State’s young offensive line was one of the team’s biggest unknowns coming into the 2017 season and, while the unit did produce nearly 5,000 yards of offense, it remains a question mark heading into 2018.
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The good news? The Spartans return all of their o-line starters, except for center Brian Allen. The bad news? Allen was the best o-lineman and a captain, to boot. There’s reason to believe this unit will progress before next season, but it’s evident that some significant strides need to be made if MSU wants to be an elite team.
Last season, the Spartans did not get a consistent push up front. While the line helped block for five 200-yard rushing performances, it also had five games — including four straight — in which it blocked for less than 100 rushing yards. As balanced as the MSU offense was statistically in 2017 (2,182 rushing yards to 2,798 passing yards), this lack of consistency was clearly detrimental to the offense.
Similarly, the unit allowed just six sacks in MSU’s first six games, but then gave up 15 in the final seven games (including six against Ohio State). If the Spartans hope to compete for a conference title and more, the line will need to buck this trend in 2018. That could be a challenge with the aforementioned stretch of ten-straight games to finish the regular season.
There is a lot of talent, and more experience now, in this group. Guard Kevin Jarvis looked strong despite being forced into action as a true freshman, which bolsters a group that already has two other guards with starting experience in rising senior David Beedle and rising junior Tyler Higby. Fellow true freshman Jordan Reid also got invaluable experience later in the season, similarly adding depth to a tackle unit that features young starters Cole Chewins and Luke Campbell.
That said, the Spartans need both Chewins and Campbell to bulk up and one to step up to become the anchor of this line, a la 2015 Jack Conklin. While the loss of Allen stings, the center position appears in good hands with younger brother Matt waiting in line and a surplus of experienced guards who could fill in at center if he’s not ready.
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It remains to be seen, however, if this unit will make the jump it needs to push MSU from pretty good to really good. As we’ve heard countless times, it starts and ends up front.