By Nick Tuori

Special to Detroit Free Press

Nick Tuori is an MSU writer for the Michigan-based sports website isportsweb.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Read isportsweb's column every Monday. Follow Nick on Twitter @NBT_hoops42.

Michigan State football has been here before.

Quarterback uncertainty, the loss of a key defensive end. In 2012, the Spartans were a disappointing 7-6, losing five conference games by 13 total points. In 2013, MSU had Andrew Maxwell set to return under center, however he had not been superb in 2012. Other contenders for the quarterback position entering 2013 fall camp included Connor Cook, Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry.

This fall, O’Connor and Terry are once again in the quarterback mix, this time as the presumed top two. Assuming the season opener against Furman goes as planned, those two and Brian Lewerke will get live reps at quarterback. With a bye week following that game, the Spartans essentially get two extra weeks to sort out their quarterback controversy.

It appears to be O’Connor’s job, but in a similar fashion to Maxwell three years ago, the fans don’t feel nearly as comfortable as they should be with their man under center.

MSU will benefit from having a proven trio of running backs returning in Gerald Holmes, Madre London and last year’s feature back, LJ Scott. While the quarterback situation sorts itself out, the running backs should carry the team. In last year’s win over Ohio State without Cook, the Spartans threw just 16 passes for only 91 yards in comparison to 50 carries for 205 yards by eight different players.

The “smashmouth” mentality helped the Spartans win its most pivotal game as they put themselves in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten East title with that victory. Two weeks later, the Spartans had 46 carries in the Big Ten title game, including 18 times on the historic 9-minute, 4-second, 82-yard drive to win the game. Reverting back to the old-school heavy running mentality will work for this year’s offense.

Using all three tailbacks, and the ability to use mobile quarterbacks, will help Michigan State find consistency in their offense as the unproven throwers and pass catchers develop chemistry. Other than tight ends Josiah Price and Jamal Lyles and wide receiver RJ Shelton, the Spartans have very little experience among their receivers.

Similar to the successful game plan that the Spartans have used for years, the play-action passes should be there often as teams will start to pack the box against a run-heavy Spartan offense. “Three yards and a cloud of dust” should continue to be the offensive mantra behind an offensive line that will have new starters, but they all have solid amounts of game experience.

On the defensive side entering 2013, MSU had to find a new go-to end as William Gholston left early for the NFL draft. That year, Shilique Calhoun burst onto the scene as he scored three defensive touchdowns in the first two games of the season, one more than the entire Spartans offense.

Calhoun is the star departing this fall, and the candidates for his replacement include an already proven Demetrius Cooper, fifth year senior Evan Jones or perhaps a younger duo of sophomores Robert Bowers and Dillon Alexander. A benefit for the defensive ends will be the return of preseason All-America defensive tackle Malik McDowell clogging up the middle.

Another similarity on this side of the football between these two teams is the strong linebacking core returning. That year, the Spartans brought back Denicos Allen and Max Bullough. This fall, Max’s younger brother, Riley, returns to run the show at middle linebacker, while Jon Reschke will be back on the strong side.

The defensive backfield became known as the “No Fly Zone” in the 2013 as they benefited from having future NFL defensive backs Trae Waynes and Darqueze Dennard. The previous season though, the defensive backfield was not an elite unit. Entering 2016, the situation is very similar. Last year’s defensive backfield was good, however they did not separate themselves from the other units in the country. After a step back last year, the Spartans should be back to a “No Fly Zone” this year. With multiple defensive backs with experience from last season, this unit should be lock down in a way similar to 2013.

In 2013, the Spartans had to prove that their program could continue success after a step back the year prior. They responded by winning the Big Ten title and reaching the Rose Bowl, heights that the program had not seen in 25 years. This fall, the Spartans enter the season with a new opportunity to keep their program among the truly national elite, as they go for their fourth straight New Year’s Six/BCS Bowl and fourth straight AP top 10 finish. They also will attempt to win the school’s first consecutive Big Ten championships in 50 years.

This season mirrors 2013 in so many aspects, with the program continually pushing toward new heights. As the quarterback position turns over into new hands, the Spartans will revert to what they have done best for the last fifty seasons, handing the football off to a dependable tailback and relying on the proven linebacking core to anchor the defense to success.