For Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, the Sept. 4 opener against Northwestern can’t come soon enough. After a strange and often dismal showing during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Spartans are eager to start anew. Win or lose against the Wildcats, 2020 will officially be a memory and the Spartans will be looking forward.

But is there any reason to think the immediate future looks rosy?

Some hurdles will certainly be in the way, and for Tucker’s second season in East Lansing to be considered a success, there are some concerns that need to be addressed.

1. Leadership at QB

With less than 2 weeks until kickoff against Northwestern, Tucker has yet to establish a starting quarterback. Coming off a 2-5 season, leadership will be a key factor to the Spartans’ ability to rebound after losing 4 of their last 5 games in 2020 following a stunning upset of rival Michigan.

Redshirt sophomore Payton Thorne showed some promise while replacing starter Rocky Lombardi 3 times and eventually starting in the finale against Penn State. Tucker brought in Temple transfer Anthony Russo, who brings 3 years experience along with 31 games on the field for the Owls.

With little time from the naming of the starting QB to the opener, establishing leadership in the huddle will be a challenge — and is cause for concern.

Offensive line chemistry

In 2020, the MSU offense struggled, resulting in the Spartans being blown out by 24 points or more during three of their losses. Chris Kapilovic, who was recently promoted to assistant head coach, is also responsible for the Spartans’ run game and the offensive line. His 30 years of experience resulted in producing multiple NFL Draft picks with Southern Mississippi, North Carolina and Colorado. His impact on the development of new arrivals at running back and offensive line will be pivotal.

The question will be whether the experience on the line can help to make up for the lack of elite talent. The Spartans currently have 9 players with game experience on the offensive line. All are competing for starting roles, from 6-year center Matt Allen to Arkansas State transfer Jarrett Horst.

Establishing the running game

Running back Kenneth Walker III, a transfer from Wake Forest, was brought in after posting a 1,000-yard season for the Demon Deacons. Walker and returner Elijah Collins will be in the backfield for Tucker and will be hoping the offensive line concerns are addressed and handled.

Also, former blue-chip recruit Harold Joiner is new to East Lansing after transferring in from Auburn. Joiner brings a different approach as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and can have an H-back type of role, as well. The Spartans also return Jordon Simmons after he led the team in rushing as a true freshman and Davion Primm comes in with the 2021 class.

A successful passing attack isn’t a lock, and with some of the turnover issues that have plagued the candidates for quarterback, the running game could have trouble getting any momentum if defenses are allowed to assume a defense of the run. Establishing a dominating run game will be a concern for Tucker and his staff.

Linebacker and safety strength

The hole in the linebacker corps left by the loss of Antjuan Simmons, who led the Spartans in tackles last season, will need to be filled. Noah Harvey has plenty of experience and Quavaris Crouch will be vying for a shot at the other linebacker slot, but there is definitely a need for somebody to step up and make the plays we’re accustomed to Simmons making.

Senior Xavier Henderson serves as the veteran in a secondary after what was a massive overhaul after last season. The Spartans lost 4 scholarship corners to the transfer portal since last November, but added 5 scholarship defensive backs as transfers. They join 4 defensive backs in the 2021 recruiting class.

The secondary will be without cornerback Shakur Brown, who left for the NFL and is now wearing Pittsburgh Steelers colors. Look for Kalon Gervin and safety Angelo Grose to join Henderson in the defensive backfield.

Getting wins with a tough schedule

The Spartans open against a Northwestern team bent of revenge after losing to MSU as a ranked team last year. After that, it’s a road trip to Miami before a pair of “should-win” contests against Western Kentucky and Youngstown State. The conference schedule picks up in earnest with a trip to Rutgers in a game that should be winnable, but road games against Indiana, Purdue and Ohio State pepper the schedule. Some smaller challenges take place in East Lansing, with Penn State, Maryland and in-state rival Michigan being home games.

Reaching bowl eligibility will be a tall order for the Spartans. If they do so, it’ll be a huge positive sign for Tucker and his program.