Michigan State Football Must Reload, Replace Jeremy Langford

It’s odd, but Ezekiel Elliott may help the Michigan State Spartans more in 2015 than he will the Ohio State Buckeyes. Thanks to Elliott’s legendary breakout in 2014, it’s safe to deduce L.J. Scott’s decision to spurn the scarlet and gray was influenced by the Buckeye incumbent.

Four-star recruit Scott now joins Mark Dantonio’s run-heavy program in hopes to sustain the powerful pedigree that branches from T.J. Duckett, to Javon Ringer, to Le’Veon Bell and now beyond Jeremy Langford.

According to Rivals.com, the 6-foot-1, 230 pound No. 6 running back is built in the same mold as Bell. This type of back is popular with Dantonio, and it’s helped the Spartans win 24 of their last 27 games by centering offensive schemes around a workhorse tailback.

Langford leaves a 1,500 yard void to be filled by either a committee or an All-American, and the structure of the Spartan offense rests on the pillar of pounding the ball. This year, perhaps more than even before, the Spartans will demand stability from their backfield. Connor Cook will be hitting his college prime, and he’ll already be without his top 2014 target, Tony Lippett.

The Big Ten comes into 2015 with some added clout thanks to Ohio State’s surprising championship run. Winning the conference outright, without taking too many nicks to the record, will all but hand-deliver an invitation to the College Football Playoff. With higher stakes comes greater pressure, and the Spartans can’t afford to get stunted by transition. They can hope for an Ohio State hangover, but it’s imperative to clean up in conference. Scott has some big shoes to fill, but it’s his shoulders that’ll be carrying everything else.

Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Jerry on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.