Michigan State is not the only school in the Big Ten juggling quarterbacks in attempt to find a happy medium.
After enduring hardship from the offset of the season with a 1-3 record, the Fighting Illni will take on Michigan State this weekend at home. Early losses included Missouri, Ohio State and Penn State, with a 45-17 solo win over Illinois State.
Senior QB Juice Williams led the team to the Rose Bowl in 2008 where they lost to the USC Trojans. With their record, Illinois is perceived to be a weak force in the Big Ten, but their schedule for the 2009 season is much more difficult than that of other schools… say, scUM.
Juice Williams will be benched on Saturday when they take on Michigan State, and Junior Eddie McGee will have a chance to start the momentum on the gridiron. McGee has filled in for Williams in past seasons, but Saturday versus the Spartans will be his first career start.
McGee is taller, and a versatile player who has seen action at QB and WR, but many are disappointed that Juice will not be the starter. The senior has been a part of the starting line up since his freshman year, and has the most experience out of any Big Ten quarterback.
Despite his team’s record this year, Juice has put up numbers in past seasons. Head Coach Mark Dantonio commented that Illinois has the option of putting both Juice and McGee in at the same time. Juice could also come in later in the game for that ‘extra spark.’
Saturday will be interesting on both sides of the line. After the depth chart was released this week, Dantonio commented that there were less ‘ors’ on the lineups, finding that the first few games have been a tell-all. Cousins is the starter and definition has returned to the 2-3 Spartan team with players in secured positions.
Of course, the blame for the Fighting Illni’s 1-3 season isn’t a direct reflection of the QB, but oftentimes teams need to make the change to see progress. The Heisman candidate should see playing time, but maybe not in the first half.
The QB transition just gives Michigan State the upper hand, especially with the confidence from last week’s 26-20 win against UM rolling over to this weekend.
On paper, Michigan State is clearly the stronger team, but the 1-3 Illni are desperate for a Big Ten win, especially for their homecoming game.
Saturday’s game is vital in both programs. Michigan State could ‘get even’ as Dantonio is striving for, and Illinois could clinch their first Big Ten win since last season.
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