Q&A: Mark Dantonio and his brand of physicality clashes with Oregon’s cutting edge offense

Posted on September 4, 2014

Originally Posted on Emerald Media via UWIRE

Since Mark Dantonio inherited the role as head coach of the Michigan State football team in 2007, the program has enjoyed its most successful era in the school’s history. Since 2007, Dantonio’s team has gone from a team that former Michigan running back Mike Hart called the Wolverines’ little brother to three seasons of 11 wins or more, two big ten titles and a win in last year’s Rose Bowl. Applying a more traditional offensive scheme with a defense that has been one of the most consistent in the country since Dantonio’s arrival (the Spartans lead the nation in defensive yards per play in 2013), the El Paso, Texas native now heads to Eugene with a group of players riding one of the nation’s longest active winning streaks.

Dantonio took the time Tuesday during the Big Ten Coaches Teleconference to discuss the differences between Oregon’s prowess, the idea of holding the Big Ten banner this weekend and whether Stanford’s success against the Ducks has provided a blueprint on how to beat Oregon.

Most teams play spread of some sort, you play more traditional pro style. Do you think pro styles are harder to defend now because so many teams are gearing their schemes and rosters towards defending the spread?

I think things go in cycles and I think people naturally return to certain aspects of the game that have been around for some time. You see some of the single wing teams from way back popping in games. Yeah, I think it is sometimes more difficult to simulate some of the things we do in practice because of the nature of your personnel. Your personnel begins to take on your offense’s personality. If you can’t simulate things very well throughout practice and then you hit the game field there’s a difference in speed, physicality and the way plays are run.

You don’t see too many spread teams in the Big Ten, what will it be like facing an Oregon team that has taken off with it?

We’ve seen quite a few spread offenses these last four, five years. But just because you run the spread doesn’t mean you do the same things, everybody is a little different. Oregon is certainly cutting edge in terms of their offensive philosophy. They’ve got a quarterback who is very skilled — it’s difficult to examine because you’ve got to be perfect all the time. They obviously have some things to contend to, but it’s sort of back and forth. I’m looking forward to a great challenge.

How do you feel about virtually carrying the Big Ten banner this weekend?

This is about Michigan State and Oregon and how we match up. But, there’s no question we go in there representing the Big Ten. But, I think it’s more about how we play, how we match up individually in our battles. Schematically, too.

Did Stanford provide a blueprint for how to beat Oregon?

I think Stanford is a very good football team. They played very physical on that day and I don’t know if it’s a blueprint, but not too many people have beaten Oregon, so you could say that.

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JWISE25