MSU Depth Chart (as of today)

Submitted by 814 East U on

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-1…

Kieler, Jack Conklin, Josiah Price, Madre London, Hicks, and Thomas have had "boo boos" but a few of them aren't listed with "OR". It wouldn't shock me to see Conklin and London not play and Kieler be significantly limited. I know this is gamesmanship but still somewhat interesting.

Interesting ones:

LT: 79 KODI KIELER (6-6, 315, Jr.) OR 74 JACK CONKLIN (6-6, 325, Jr.) 

 
LG: 65 BRIAN ALLEN (6-2, 298, So.) OR 59 DAVID BEEDLE (6-5, 316, R-Fr.)
 
C: 66 JACK ALLEN (6-2, 296, Sr.-5) OR 65 BRIAN ALLEN (6-2, 298, So.)
 
RT: 76 DONAVON CLARK (6-4, 325, Sr.-5) OR 79 KODI KIELER (6-6, 315, Jr.)
 
TE: 82 JOSIAH PRICE (6-4, 252, Jr.) OR 11 JAMAL LYLES (6-3, 263, Jr.) OR 83 PAUL LANG (6-5, 260, Sr.-5)
 
TB: 28 MADRE LONDON (6-1, 216, R-Fr.) OR 3 LJ SCOTT (6-0, 233, Fr.)
 
LC: 2 DARIAN HICKS (5-10, 180, Jr.)
 
DE: 8 LAWRENCE THOMAS (6-4, 305, Sr.-5)

alum96

October 13th, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^

I expect Kieler to play - he played last week and will have another week to get healthy.  I'd expect Conklin as well as 70% Conklin is better than many LTs in P5.  They were both practricing as of a week ago Tuesday.

Allen - that injury looks pretty rough so if he does play I can't imagine he is more than 50%. Seems unlikely but who knows.  His younger brother is a capable backup at center but certainly it would be a loss due to emotion - that guy is their leader on O.

These guys are going to be banged up even if they all 3 start so its up to UM's DL to exploit that.

Price is the interesting one - has been out for quite a few weeks and he might be a matchup nightmare for Mr. Bolden.  He is Butt quality.  Don't know if they dressed him last week and kept him on the sideline or he didn't dress.

They also really need Hicks - well assuming Rudock can throw to WRs more than the normal 5-6x a game.

Bay_Area_Blue

October 13th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^

I see them getting behind the sticks on the early down and distances more often than they're accutomed to at this point. Our D-Line will bring the heat, and our secondary has the chops to make it absolute hell for Cook to find an open man. It's hard to imagine us losing in the trenches in this game, rankings and recent history be damned!

MI Expat NY

October 13th, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^

I would assume with the injury to Jack Allen, Kieler almost has to play.  A dinged Kieler is better at tackle than a dinged Allen at Tackle.  

I think there's a good chance that everyone goes for MSU with effectiveness determined by how much a cortisone shot does for each player.  I don't care what MSU says about national ambitions, etc., I still think they'll sacrifice the season for their best chance to beat us.  

I don't have as high of an opinion of Price.  He's a good red zone target, but he's not the everydown playmaker at TE that Butt or other high quality TEs are.  

bronxblue

October 13th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^

Allen is going to be hurting and will likely struggle.  Conklin and Kieler should be fine, but they haven't faced a defensive line like this one and any degradation on their part athletically will be instantly noticeable.

Price is a good TE, but I've not seen him display the athleticism Butt possesses.  He seems like a good safety blanket for Cook, which he'll need this week, but Bolden should hopefully be able to keep up with him for a half and then you can trot out Ross if you feel he is getting ahead.  

Hicks is a loss, but that secondary has been beaten up all year.  Rudock should have opportunities to throw the ball and I don't think any MSU DB is particularly "no-fly".

Yeoman

October 13th, 2015 at 1:26 PM ^

Nothing here hints that Kieler won't play--it's just a question of which tackle. If Conklin can play, Kieler moves to RT and Clark moves back inside to RG. If Conklin can't go, McGowan gets the start at RG, Clark is at RT and Kieler moves to the left side.

4EverBlueGirl

October 13th, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^

I noticed the game 6 and Rutgers listed on the bottom as well. 

 

I have a tough time believing Jack Allen will play simply based on what he looked like as he was helped off the field.  First, they taped the ankle to the shoe and put him in only to get assistance off the field--on the very next play.  It looked like it may be a break to me, but I doubt we know til Saturday.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I7hVQWr_lM

 

Indonacious

October 13th, 2015 at 11:59 AM ^

I don't think this means anything. I suspect everyone who can physically play will play particularily on their O-Line. Their injured starters on that line are likely better than their backups.

MaximusBlue

October 13th, 2015 at 12:00 PM ^

Just watched his press conference. He's really playing this differently than he ever has. He's down playing this as just another game and was complimentary about Harbaugh and the what the team looks like. Pretty sure he's still playing the disrespect card behind the scenes though.

Yooper

October 13th, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^

for the first time in years he isn't confident MSU will win.  Behind the scenes I am sure he is playing the no respect card but that story is getting old.  I take this as a good sign-being nice is not his game.

MaximusBlue

October 13th, 2015 at 12:18 PM ^

Watching that made me feel even better about Saturday. And honestly that disrespect card he's been playing is old and tired. It's gotta suck knowing you're team is not going to bully us anymore and he has to scheme and out coach an actual legit coaching staff in all 3 phases. 

bronxblue

October 13th, 2015 at 1:03 PM ^

I also wonder if he is a bit more aware how good UM looks compared to his team.  He always struck me a bit as a front-runner when it comes to this respect issue, and now that MSU is the scuttling program with some issues at key spots, he doesn't want to draw too much attention to it in case it turns into a blowout.  I'm sure he keeps telling his guys nobody respects them and all that, but he also seems a bit more aware that this might not be a good year to poke the bear.

LSAClassOf2000

October 13th, 2015 at 12:32 PM ^

Despite numerous deletions and trying to prevent the board from lapping itself a couple times yesterday, I actually don't remember seeing a thread about the depth chart. Not to say that it couldn't be there, but in all the moderating, I don't think anyone actually posted ours. If you want to create the thread, go ahead.

turtleboy

October 13th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^

Lots of or in that chart. If they're questionable right now, they'll likely be even more questionable after a few series on Saturday..

Anybody else remember when Lawrence Thomas was an inside linebacker? That was maybe 80 pounds ago. Yikes!

blueblue

October 13th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^

There may be a big difference between the lineup that starts the game and the one that finishes it. Judging by how many players have been injured in games vs. Michigan each week, you need to be fully healthy to make it through an entire game. 

Pinky

October 13th, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^

The MSU injury situation is incredibly overrated.  They lost three starters on defense - a freshman corner, a safety who was gettng torched before his injury, and a very good linebacker.  That's significant, but it's not much beyond what other teams have gone through.  

On offense, I doubt they will be missing a single starter.  Maybe Allen. The bottom line is that Dantonio will be more than willing to sacrifice a future game or two to make sure everyone can play for this game.

bacon

October 13th, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^

I expect them all to start the game. Whether they finish is another story. I'm not sure it's in MSU's best interest to send out O-linemen working through injuries to face our D-line. I'd imagine that we'd make them pay for that.

Bodogblog

October 13th, 2015 at 1:42 PM ^

Wasn't clear during the Rutgers broadcast - were they holding Scott out to begin the game?  I think Holmes got most of the carries early, and I thought I heard the announcer saying Scott was banged up and not available.  He came in later in the second half.  

That made me curious: was Dantonio resting his starters against an inferior opponent in order to get them ready for Michigan?  Could have Price have gone if needed, or the others?  Dangerous game if yes, almost lost that one on the road.  

Lampuki

October 13th, 2015 at 1:50 PM ^

I don't normally watch party play, but I noticed last week that Connor cook wears a target on one of his legs ...error...I mean a brace. What's up with that. Is it just precautionary like lineman wear? Gotta affect mobility somewhat.




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UMForLife

October 13th, 2015 at 3:14 PM ^

Even at full strength, I see us putting Cook on his back quite a few times. Our CBs are really good. Getting Stribling back would be awesome. They are definitely not going to be full strength, but we have similar issues going back to the beginning of the year. We have a solid OL and DL that can go toe to toe with MSU, if not better. We have better athletes and better depth and they don't.

CLord

October 13th, 2015 at 6:20 PM ^

Sparty will play dirty.  Book it.  I expect minimum 3 injuries for our guys caused by dubious Sparty play with at least one season ender.  A favorite dirty Sparty play is their O line sustaining blocks on D line and LBs onto piles 2-3 seconds after the whistle.

Dirty bastards.