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| Saturday, September 9 Act II will be a challenge for Williams By Jeff Potrykus Special to ESPN.com | |||||
| Michigan State Spartans 1999 record: 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten) Coach: Bobby Williams. Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 6 defense) Outlook Williams' head coaching debut -- a 37-34 victory over Florida in the Citrus Bowl -- was a feel-good story scripted in Hollywood. Now comes reality and the rewrite. Williams contends the Spartans possess the talent to contend for the conference title, yet the significant personnel losses suggest the Spartans are a year away. Departed wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Gari Scott, who combined for more than 1,600 receiving yards in '99, are the most notable losses on offense. Quarterback Bill Burke is gone, too, replaced by former prep phenom Ryan Van Dyke. But the junior has played sparingly (99 passes in 11 games) and has yet to win a big game. "I think he is ready to step in and lead this football team," Williams said. Perhaps, but who is going to replace linebacker Julian Peterson (14.5 sacks) and end Robaire Smith (eight sacks), the team's most disruptive defensive players? And don't forget that the Spartans face Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State on the road this season. Those three teams had to play in East Lansing in '99 and the Spartans won all three. They won't sweep that trio this season. Keep an eye on ... Folks in East Lansing believe sophomore tailback T.J. Duckett is the Big Ten's next Ron Dayne. Duckett (6-1 and 252) rushed for 606 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman despite concentrating on defense until late in the season. He will give the Spartans' offense a different dimension and give Van Dyke time to develop. It's a good season if ... This team isn't ready to secure BCS bowl slot. A lower-tier New Year's Day bowl should be palatable, though. Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
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