Projecting Michigan State’s starters and depth chart versus Michigan

By verbosedutch Oct 29, 2022, 9:15am CDT

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Ann Arbor to take on the No. 4-ranked Michigan Wolverines for a matchup under the lights on Saturday at 7:44 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.

Michigan State will return to the field after a bye week following a home victory against the Wisconsin Badgers. Michigan is also coming off of a bye week.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker will not provide the public with a depth chart, therefore after viewing the previous game and reading reports about the roster, here are my predictions for the MSU starters and reserves against Michigan.

Quarterback

Starter: Payton Thorne

Backup: Noah Kim

Michigan State will need a special performance from Thorne if the Spartans hope to pull the upset against Michigan. Hopefully Thorne has gotten a little healthier over the break, he was spotted in a walking boot (likely precautionary) after the win against Wisconsin, and has admitted to not playing at 100 percent this season. It’s unlikely we will see Noah Kim unless there is an injury to Thorne or if the score gets lopsided.

Running Back

Starter: Jalen Berger

Backup: Elijah Collins, Jarek Broussard

The Spartans got a little spark in the run game against Wisconsin, with Berger and Collins handling most of the carries and both finding the end zone. The staff has shown they prefer to start Berger while mixing in a second and sometimes third running back rather evenly. Based on prior performance and this being a game versus in-state rival Michigan, I would assume Collins will get his opportunities with Broussard sprinkled in as a change of pace.

NCAA Football: Michigan State at Maryland

Wide receivers

Starters: Jayden Reed, Keon Coleman, Tre Mosley

Backups: Germie Bernard, Montorie Foster, Cade McDonald, Christian Fitzpatrick

The wide receiver trio is set in stone at this point, many people feel this group gives the Spartans the best opportunity to win the game.

NCAA Football: Ohio State at Michigan State

Tight end/H-Back

Starter: Daniel Barker

Backup: Tyler Hunt, Maliq Carr

Hopefully the additional time off the field will benefit Barker in getting up to full speed, he presents a matchup issue for Michigan, which has struggled with defending tight ends. Hunt and Carr will also alternate in the lineup, with each providing different skill sets.

Left tackle

Starter: Jarrett Horst

Backup: Brandon Baldwin

The starting five on the offensive line continues as the same unit — (from left to right) Horst, J.D. Duplain, Nick Samac, Matt Carrick and Spencer Brown. Brian Greene will rotate in as the first alternate, likely seeing snaps at right guard initially. Baldwin will likely see reps at one of tackle spots as well.

Left guard

Starter: J.D. Duplain

Backup: Geno VanDeMark

Center

Starter: Nick Samac

Backup: Dallas Fincher

Right guard

Starter: Matt Carrick

Backup: Brian Greene

NCAA Football: Michigan State at Arizona State

Right tackle

Starter: Spencer Brown

Backup: Ethan Boyd

Defensive tackles

Starters: Jacob Slade, Simeon Barrow

Backup: Derrick Harmon, Maverick Hansen, Jalen Hunt, Alex VanSumeren, Dashaun Mallory

Slade’s return to the field two weeks ago against Wisconsin was a shot in the arm for the defensive line. He may be the most important defender for the Spartans in this game againnst a strong Michigan rushing attack. Barrow had been somewhat inconsistent, but has flashed at times All-Big Ten caliber play. Harmon and Hansen shall continue to rotate in to replace the starters.

Defensive ends

Starters: Zion Young, Jeff Pietrowski (status uncertain)

Backup: Brandon Wright, Michael Fletcher, Avery Dunn, “Tank” Brown, Khris Bogle (status uncertain)

Injuries have played havoc with this position group, and the need to move Jacoby Windmon to linebacker continues to stress the depth. That said, it is thought that Pietrowski could return to action Saturday, bolstering the unit’s numbers and perhaps providing a spark versus Michigan. However, his status remains uncertain until kickoff. One could hope for an appearance by Khris Bogle, however that is less probable, as Bogle seems to be dealing with a more serious injury.

Linebackers

Starters: Jacoby Windmon, Cal Haladay, Aaron Brule

Backups: Ben VanSumeren, Ma’a Gaoteote

Michigan State used a 4-3 alignment as its primary package when facing the Badgers, and it feels as a given the Spartans will do the same against the Wolverines. The different formation allows Windmon to play his more natural position of linebacker (as opposed to edge rusher) and operate more freely. Haladay and Brule will be the other two starters with VanSumeren and Gaoteote spelling starters as needed.

Cornerbacks

Starters: Ameer Speed, Charles Brantley

Backups: Ronald Williams, Marqui Lowery (status uncertain), Khary Crump

This group did play better versus Wisconsin, however the cornerbacks weren’t tested as much as previous games this season and the injury bug continues to eat away at depth. Speed and Brantley get the starting nods, with luck Ronald Williams and Marqui Lowery can contribute and aren’t limited by injuries and ailments that have plagued them this season, especially in Lowery’s case.

Nickel back

Starter: Angelo Grose

Backup: Justin White, Chester Kimbrough

As I stated earlier, I envision a 4-3 formation for the defense, therefore the nickel back will likely be used only in known passing situations. Grose would be the player to man the position if the staff wanted a fifth defensive back on the field.

Safeties

Starters: Xavier Henderson, Kendell Brooks (status uncertain)

Backups: Angelo Grose, Dillon Tatum, Jaden Mangham (status uncertain)

Like Slade for the defensive line, Henderson’s return to action was a significant boost for the defensive backfield and the unit as a whole. Henderson’s leadership and tackling abilities are qualities that cannot be replaced when he is unavailable.

Brooks did not appear in the last game against Wisconsin, though, the common belief is he will be present to play the Wolverines on Saturday. If Brooks is physically compromised, Grose will likely get the start, and perhaps could be the starter regardless. Tatum continues to progress. Mangham showed promise in his first start for the Spartans, but was briefly hospitalized during the game against Ohio State before returning to Spartan Stadium during the same night. His status is unknown.

NCAA Football: Wisconsin at Michigan State

Special teams

Placekicker

Starter: Jack Stone

Backup: Ben Patton, Stephen Rusnak

I’m baffled at this point with the kicker — who handles what duties is apparently dictated totally by what happens on the practice field, away from the eyes of the public.

Punter

Starter: Bryce Baringer

Backup: Ryan Eckley, Evan Morris

MSU always leans on Baringer, in this game perhaps even more so considering the odds. He can flip the field and will be asked to do so on more than one occasion.

Punt/Kick returner

Starter: Jayden Reed

Backup: Jarek Broussard/Germie Bernard/Cade McDonald

If there are opportunities to be made in the return game, I encourage the player to take them — a special teams big play or two would be massive against Michigan. Reed has had two punt return touchdowns called back on penalties this season.

Long snapper

Starter: Hank Pepper (status uncertain)

Backup: Michael Donovan

It has been that kind of season when the level of medical issues even includes the long snapper position. Pepper missed the games versus Ohio State and Wisconsin, and was replaced by Donovan. I’m sure the team is extremely frustrated with the number of injuries.

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