One of the biggest strengths of the Spartans is their defense. They have many key players returning from last year’s team that held opponents to an average of just 22.5 points per game. The defensive line is led by senior defensive end Jacub Panasiuk, who had five sacks last season. The secondary is led by junior cornerback Shakur Brown, who had three interceptions last year. These players, along with others, will be key in helping the Spartans succeed in 2020.
The offense, on the other hand, is a bit of a question mark. There are some talented players on this side of the ball, but they will need to step up and perform at a high level. The quarterback position is up for grabs, as there are several players competing for the starting job. Rocky Lombardi is the most experienced of the group, but talented freshman Payton Thorne is also in the mix. Whoever wins the job will have some talented receivers to throw to, including senior Cody White and sophomore Tre Mosley.
The running game will also be important for the Spartans. Connor Heyward and Elijah Collins are expected to split carries, and they will need to be effective in order to give the offense some balance. The offensive line will be a key factor in the success of the running game, as well as protecting whoever wins the starting quarterback job.
As mentioned earlier, Mel Tucker is the new head coach of the Spartans. Tucker comes to Michigan State from Colorado, where he led the Buffaloes to a 5-7 record last season. He has a lot of experience coaching at the college and professional level, and he is known for his defensive expertise. Tucker will be tasked with getting this team back on track after a disappointing 2019 season.
Overall, the 2020 Michigan State Spartans football team has a lot of potential. The defense should be strong once again, and if the offense can step up and perform at a high level, this team could surprise some people this season. With a new coach leading the way and some talented players returning, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of this program. Only time will tell whether or not the Spartans can live up to their potential, but they certainly have the pieces in place to be successful.