Michigan State Football: Piecing together ideal wish list for 2019

Every Michigan State football fan has their own wish list for the upcoming season. But what should be on everyone’s list of wants?

If you’re a fan of Michigan State football, you go into each season with high expectations, especially since Mark Dantonio has been in town.

Although the Spartans are coming off a tough 2018 season, there’s some optimism among fans, especially if Michigan State can remain healthy. There’s always a wish list for fans heading into each season, and this is what Michigan State’s looks like.

Blow Tulsa out

Michigan State is home against Tulsa. While we all know Michigan State would rather run the ball and win 17-3, the Spartans need a blowout win.

As a fan i can speak for all when i say a blowout win would wake Spartan Nation up for the season. Also, we need to get Brian Lewerke in rhythm early. There’s no need to play conservative as the season is loaded with tough teams. Michigan State needs to set the standard early and get hot early. If the Spartans can’t drop at least 34 clean points, it’s time to be slightly worried.

Find a No. 1 running back

Let’s be honest, ever since Jeremy Langford left, Michigan State hasn’t had that great running back in the backfield. LJ Scott, Gerald Holmes and Madre London were solid and all had legendary Spartan moments, but they never really fully clicked with the offense for some reason.

Here we are in 2019 and in my opinion, this running back competition will eventually come down to La’Darius Jefferson, Anthony Williams Jr. and Brandon Wright.

I expect Jefferson to have a really good season, he showed flashes of talent in the Penn State game and he looked a lot more polished as a runner in the spring game.

While Connor Heyward is a solid athlete with great hands, I don’t know where exactly he’d fit in the running back competition. He has to be on the field, but the Spartans also need a pure runner who can naturally find the holes. Maybe Connor will be a shocker and evolve into the lead back.

Offensive line improvement

How many times have we seen it? A missed block, holding, illegal man downfield and whatever else that completely destroys a drive. Michigan State has got to be at least a little better this year, right?

With everyone gaining weight and with as much ridicule as they took last season and still this offseason, motivation alone should be enough to see these guys come out strong.

I say it a lot, but I like Jim Bollman moving back to his natural position and these guys will have so much knowledge and game-time experience that injuries honestly shouldn’t be a worry for the offensive line in 2019. The depth is there.

Showcase athleticism

Cody White, Darrell Stewart, Laress Nelson, Jalen Nailor, Anthony Williams Jr., Tre Mosley, Julian Barnett, Javez Alexander, Connor Heyward. These are all athletic playmakers who could be used within this offense in 2019. My biggest goal for Michigan State is to break out and showcase the athletes it has. We can talk about what ifs all we want but this season there are too many weapons and too much speed not to not break out and become a fast-paced team. That includes special teams.

Put it all together

Am I crazy or does it always feel like Michigan State is always so close but so far? The College Football Playoff against Alabama, the Rose Bowl season when Michigan State was a shady loss to Notre Dame away from a national title. The fact is the Spartans have to put this season together. This can revive the recruiting resume to kids across the country and this could get them back to being a contender and big-name program again.