No one is going to find themselves on the hot seat based on a spring game performance. Then again, Mel Tucker’s keister was already getting warm before the offseason even began.

Michigan State returns to Spartan Stadium Saturday for the annual spring game. Tucker said that fans shouldn’t expect the usual “in-game” style of play, but rather view the festivities as an up-tempo practice with some “good-on-good, 11-on-11 work.”

No one is asking the Spartans to duplicate their 2021 success come next fall. Finding consistency on offense is more important. Seeing defensive stability to build for the future of the conference’s expansion is essential. Making a bowl game shouldn’t be viewed as a “win” but rather a necessity, especially after MSU went hard in the transfer portal to add proven talent.

Since the scrimmage is more of an open practice, everything seen should be taken with a grain of salt. That being said, seeing progress at several positions could provide hope to a fanbase that watched its program trudge along to a 5-7 finish in 2022.

Here are 5 storylines the Spartan faithful should keep an eye on Saturday afternoon:

1. A revamped secondary

It can’t get much worse, right? Ok, it can’t reach 2021 levels of mediocrity might be a better way to phrase it.

The Spartans finished 13th among B1G programs in pass coverage last season and allowed 26 touchdowns. They also only totaled a pair of picks in 12 games. Seven quarterbacks threw for at least 200 yards against them and 4 finished with multi-touchdown performances.

If programs can’t win up front by pressuring the quarterback, having a blanketed secondary is almost non-negotiable. And with MSU only adding Wisconsin’s Semar Melvin via the portal, it’s basically the same unit with a few faces joining the program as early enrollees.

Dillon Tatum moved from safety to corner full-time during the offseason and has been a standout in practice at the nickel. Charles Brantley is back on the boundary but will have stiff competition with Caleb Coley and true freshman Chance Rucker. The safety position on paper should be improved now that Jaden Mangham and Malik Spencer have more experience working with the 1st-team unit.

Maybe don’t expect a big hit across the middle of the field or a ton of physicality going up for jump balls, but a pass breakup or two is warranted. Same with an interception. Really, any bit of progression — even in a practice setting — should give hope for improvement.

2. An improved run game

Kenneth Walker III was the catalyst to an 11-2 finish in 2021. Exit Walker, enter regression in the backfield.

Tucker’s teams are at their best with a stable run game. While Jarek Broussard might be looking for better results in the pros, perhaps his departure is more of an addition than a subtraction.  With more roster spots available, Tucker was able to bring in Nathan Carter (UConn) and Jaren Mangham (South Florida) via the transfer portal.

Carter averaged 6.5 yards per run in the Huskies’ backfield last season. Mangham, a former player under Tucker at Colorado in 2019, totaled over 1,200 yards and 23 TDs in 31 career games. In terms of yards and touchdowns, consider that a significant upgrade from what was at Sparty’s disposal a season ago.

An ankle injury sidelined Mangham for most of the year, but he still scored 3 TDs in 4 games. Fully healthy, the 3-man rotation of Carter, Mangham and Jalen Berger in MSU’s backfield might provide an offensive spark. Not to mention, with question marks at the quarterback position, anything to make offensive coordinator Jay Johnson’s play-calling more dynamic is a blessing.

What will the order be in the rotation? A strong performance Saturday could give a clear indication of which tailback will take the reins as RB1 for the Spartans’ Week 1 matchup against Central Michigan.

3. Who’s QB2?

Payton Thorne isn’t losing his starting job entering the year despite a lackluster 2022 season, but he could be on thin ice. Sure, he helped orchestrate an offense that finished top 40 in scoring in 2021, but it helps to have a playmaker like Walker attached at the hip for the easy 6 points in the red zone.

There’s pressure internally on Thorne to improve. The best way to light a fire under a player? Quality depth. So far, Tucker has been pleased with the progression of Noah Kim and redshirt freshman Katin Houser through practice.

Kim earned the title of QB2 last season and even saw action in 4 games. Houser might have more upside in accuracy and decision-making over both passers. Kim’s rocket-powered arm is the biggest thing keeping him in the competition up to this point, and Tucker could be looking to take more deep shots to receivers like Keon Coleman and Tre Mosley.

Tucker is one of those coaches who won’t name a starter until the clock ticks down to its last second. For now, Thorne’s experience keeps him in the driver’s seat. Whoever looks to be the solidified No. 2 option following Saturday, however, likely is the one pushing for starting reps before the Chippewas arrive in early September.

4. A breakout freshman?

Eighteen new players headed to East Lansing for offseason workouts, including 8 members of the 2023 recruiting class. The best 22 prospects are going to see the field. Could one be a true freshman who benefitted from skipping prom and a May graduation?

Rucker already has seen an uptick in reps during practice and might push one of the current starting cornerbacks to the 2nd unit. Former 4-star recruit Cole Dellinger might be able to fight his way into a starting role on the interior offensive line with a solid performance to close out the spring. After totaling 29 sacks, anyone could step into the leading pass-rusher role, meaning former 4-star defensive end Andrew Depaepe could fit the bill.

Is it far-fetched? Perhaps a little. Even then, it’s all about slight and consistent improvements. And while a newbie might not walk out of spring practice as a member of the starting lineup, catching Tucker’s eye for expanded reps could be more crucial when heading into the summer workouts.

5. Transfer talent looking like veterans

Who will be this year’s standout transfer? No one expects a Walker 2.0 to emerge when it comes to picking up hardware, but after an offseason in the system, someone has to show there’s growth at one position.

Defensive end Tunmise Adeleye (Texas A&M) could provide the inevitable spark in the defensive trenches. Just because he was limited to a rotational role in College Station doesn’t mean he won’t be “the man” in East Lansing. The same goes for Melvin, who played in 17 games during his tenure in Madison.

Tyneil Hopper (Boise State) and Jaylan Franklin (Wisconsin) might be backup tight ends, but depth matters. Both are a Maliq Carr injury away from being thrust into a starting role while serving as a security blanket for whichever quarterback wins the starting nod. And just because someone started last season, that’s not a reason to think one of the new guys couldn’t be a better option.

Nothing is off the table for the Spartans in 2023. No one cares what happened a season ago. It’s a new team and a new chapter in the Tucker era. If the transfers are taking the proper steps forward, consider that a positive.

If not, it’s good there’s still an entire summer to work out the kinks.