Michigan State football: 3 biggest offseason questions facing Mel Tucker’s Spartans

2. Are the Spartans moving toward the spread or looking to be a power offense?

When the Spartans were winning ten games a season, sneaking into the College Football Playoff and beating Michigan, they were doing it with a great running game and physical defense. Toward the end of former head coach Mark Dantonio’s run in East Lansing, the recruiting tailed off, and it showed on the field.

In addition to all the issues with COVID and the Big Ten season’s tumult, the Michigan State Spartans did not have an identity offensively. Michigan State could not run the football averaging just 91 rush yards per game. The passing game was not much better, with the quarterbacks throwing just 11 touchdowns.

Where are the Spartans moving? Bringing in Anthony Russo from Temple to start at quarterback and running backs Harold Joiner from Auburn and Kenneth Walker from Wake Forest could signal a ball-control offense. Although Michigan State did not have good quarterback play, there is talent at receiver.

Jalen Nailor averaged 19.8 yards per reception and led the Spartans in touchdown catches. Nailor’s counterpart Ricky White averaged over 22.4 yards per catch last season. There is big-play potential on the perimeter when MSU wants to go downfield.

If the Spartans attempt to “open up” the offense, can they recruit well enough to get the players to compete in the Big Ten East? Whatever direction the Spartans go offensively, the offensive line has to get better. Michigan State averaged just 2.7 yards per run and 4.8 yards per pass. There were few holes to run through and little time to throw.

The Spartans need to figure out who they are on offense if they expect to see success this season.