CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Michigan State preview

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Michigan State Spartans

Green in more ways than one

College Football: The New Century

'99: 10-2, 6-2 Big Ten

Coach

Bobby Williams (first season, 1-0)

Key offensive players

T.J. Duckett, RB, So.
The powerful 252-pound Duckett was a prep All-American linebacker in high school but found a home at tailback last season.

Shaun Mason, OG, Sr.
The 6-5, 295-pound Mason can protect well and open holes for the running game.

Key defensive players

Renaldo Hill, CB, Sr.
A starter the past two seasons, the hard-hitting Hill had 57 tackles and 13 pass break-ups last season.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Bubba Smith, DE, 1964-66
"Redefined the pass rusher."

Brightest Moment: With a smothering defense led by Bubba Smith, the Spartans were 10-1 in 1965 and 9-0-1 in '66, winning the UPI national championship '65 and finishing runner-up in '66.

Lowest Moment: A three-year bowl ban for recruiting violations in the 1970s cost Michigan State a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1978.

T.J. Turner, LB, Sr.
Outside linebacker has a nose for the football, picking off a team-high five passes last season.

Josh Thornhill LB, Jr. Middle linebacker, who had 73 tackles at an inside linebacking spot last season, is projected as a first-team All-Big Ten performer by most analysts.

Key newcomer

Tyrell Dortch, RB, Fr. Of the Spartans' many prep All-American freshmen, Dortch might be the key newcomer as a backup running back.

Throwback player

Defensive tackle Jace Saylor has been described as a poor man's Merlin Olsen. He shared the team's Iron Man award for his dedication in the weight room.

21st century player

Tight end Ivory McCoy is a free spirit who might also see time as a designated pass rusher.

Fast Fact

Michigan State's defense registered 54 sacks in 1999, the most since the school began keeping team totals in 1984.

Outlook

Michigan State's biggest problem is replacing its receiving tandem of Plaxico Burress and Gari Scott. Freshman Charles Rogers was expected to fill one of the vacancies but isn't eligible. First-year starting QB Ryan Van Dyke has shown some promise as Bill Burke's backup the past two seasons. The Spartans' total defense (299.0 allowed per game) ranked first in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation last year, but the departure of SS Aric Morris and CB Amp Campbell leaves questions about the secondary. T.J. Turner has moved to outside linebacker following the loss of NFL first-round pick Julian Peterson. Michigan State got a schedule break last year, but road games with Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State may make it near impossible to duplicate last year's 10-2 mark.

-- Mark Ambrogi