2012 Michigan State Football Preview

From MSU Facebook

 By: Connor Wilton

@ConnorJayWilton

As summer comes to a close, that can only mean one thing, college football is back.  With the season only 12 days away, I’ve decided this is a great time to preview the upcoming Michigan State football season and provide predictions and players to watch for each game.

Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Spartans are coming off back-to-back 11 win seasons. Despite this success, the Spartans have yet to win the Big Ten conference outright.  This will only add to an already very motivated Spartan team as they look to finally get over the hump and win the Big Ten title.

Game-by-Game Analysis

August 31^st - Boise State at Michigan State

Player to Watch: QB Andrew Maxwell

I think all Spartan fans will be very curious to see how Andrew Maxwell comes out in his first game as starter. Replacing Kirk Cousins is no easy task, and expecting him to perform up to Cousins standards may be unfair at this point in the year. However, the success of the Spartans will rely heavily on the play of Maxwell and all eyes will be on him August 31^st.

Preview: The Spartans aren’t doing themselves any favors with their opening matchup.  MSU takes on the pesky Boise State Broncos.  Boise has had great success over the past six years under head coach Chris Petersen including two BCS bowl game victories. With that being said, this is a much different Boise State team.  With the loss of standout QB Kellen Moore and 14 other starters, Boise State could struggle mightily against the vaunted MSU defense.  But remember, this is Boise State and they relish the underdog role.  The game will be competitive throughout most of the game, but I believe the Spartans will pull away late and kickoff their season with a victory.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 24-14

September 8^th – Michigan State at Central Michigan

Player to Watch:  DT Tyler Hoover

After battling injury last season, Hoover decided to add 20 pounds in the offseason to make the switch to defensive tackle from defensive end.  Hoover impressed in 2010 at defensive end but it will be very interesting to see how he handles the defensive tackle position. At 6’7, Hoover is a huge presence in the middle and someone who could greatly help the Spartan D down the road.

Preview: Michigan State fans still have bad memories of what occurred in 2009 when the Chippewas of Central Michigan shocked the Spartans in East Lansing.  State fans should have nothing to worry about this year.  CMU is coming off a dismal 3-9 season which included a blowout loss to MSU 45-7.  If Spartans play up to their abilities, it will be more of the same this season.

Prediction:  Michigan State wins 42-10

September 15^th – Notre Dame at Michigan State

Player to Watch:  WR DeAnthony Arnett

If you follow Spartan football, you likely already know of DeAnthony Arnett. Arnett transferred from Tennessee this season so he could be closer to his ailing father. He was granted a hardship transfer by the NCAA, allowing him to play without siting a year. This is huge for the Spartans, since they already have major inexperience at the WR position. Arnett is only a sophomore, but with a year of SEC football under his belt, there is no reason to think he won’t contribute in big ways for the MSU passing attack this season.

Preview: Another difficult non-conference test will come from rivals Notre Dame in their annual showdown. After being embarrassed in South Bend last season, expect MSU to come out seeking revenge and try to overwhelm the Irish from the get-go.  Notre Dame always has the talent, but for some reason, they never seem to live up to the hype.  Notre Dame will keep it close with their talented defense led by Manti Te’o, but I expect the Spartans to prevail.

Prediction:  Michigan State wins 31-20

September 22^nd – Eastern Michigan at Michigan State

Player to Watch: RB Nick Hill

Nick Hill is slated to once again be the KR for the Spartans this season. With the departure of Edwin Baker, Hill is now third on the depth chart at RB behind Le’Veon Bell and Larry Caper.  With a blowout against Eastern likely, this could allow Hill to get a substantial amount of carries late in the game.  If Dantonio likes what he sees, this could allow Hill to get some more touches as a change of pace back or third down back.

Preview:  Like I said, I don’t expect Eastern Michigan to be competitive in this game. As long as Michigan State comes out ready to play, they will have absolutely no problems beating the Eagles. If anything, this game will provide an opportunity for some young players to gain some experience. 

Prediction: Michigan State wins 38-3

September 29^th – Ohio State at Michigan State

Player to Watch: LB Denicos Allen

Allen really came on to the scene last season after his phenomenal game against Ohio State, which was capped by a highlight-reel sack where he leaped over an OSU blocker. Allen finished the 2011 season with All-Big Ten Second Team honors and is expected to wreak havoc from the outside once again this season.  Being an Ohio native, it seems Allen really loves playing the Buckeyes.  Look for another standout performance out by Allen against OSU this season.

Preview: Under new Head Coach Urban Meyer, Ohio State will be a difficult team to beat this season, despite their inexperienced players.  Due to NCAA violations, the Buckeyes are not qualified to compete for the Big Ten title. This makes them even scarier in my opinion, since they have nothing to lose.  However, the fact that this is a home game for MSU gives just enough the advantage they need to defeat the Buckeyes.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 24-17

October 6^th- Michigan State at Indiana

Player to Watch:  DE Lawrence Thomas

Thomas is another player who is making a position change this season. Playing primarily LB in high school, Thomas made the switch to DE for this season. Thomas was a very highly rated prospect in high school so his talent is evident. Even though he won’t be starting, I believe Thomas can make an impact on the Spartan defensive line later in the season.

Preview:  Coming off a terrible 1-11 season, Indiana returns 19 starters.  Stephen Houston is a talented RB that could cause some problems for the Spartans, but not nearly enough to upset MSU.  Indiana is a team that is slowly turning things around, but don’t expect them to give MSU any problems.

Prediction: Michigan State win 31-14 

October 13^th – Iowa at Michigan State

Player to Watch: RB Le'Veon Bell

Le'Veon Bell is probably the best weapon the Spartans have on offense and will heavily rely on Bell this season.  If the MSU offense is successful this year, Bell may be the number one reason.  Bell had a fantastic game against the Hawkeyes last season totaling 112 yards and a TD.  With Iowa losing their entire defensive line last year, I anticipate Bell will once again surpass the century mark in yards.

Preview: Spartans will be relieved to see Iowa coming to East Lansing this year, as oppose to making the trip to Kinnick Stadium where the Spartans have had little success. With Iowa returning nobody on their defensive line, I expect MSU to run the ball early and often, which should eventually open up the play action pass game. I expect a similar game to last season.  Not domination, but a clear Michigan State victory.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 28-14

October 20^th – Michigan State at Michigan

Player to Watch: DE William Gholston

After a very solid season as a true sophomore last season, Gholston is touted to have an All-American worthy season this year. But the reason he is my player to watch is for what he did against this very team last season.  Gholston created headlines after last season’s game for his dominating play and illegal punch to Michigan QB Denard Robinson’s head.  This resulted in a one-game suspension for Gholston. It’ll be interesting how aggressive Gholston plays this time around, and if Michigan will seek any retaliation.

Preview: For me, this game is ultimately going to decide who wins the Legends Division. I also think this game is nearly impossible to predict at this point. This game is going be a bitter bloodbath and will probably be the best game in the Big Ten all year.  The reason for Michigan State’s past success against U of M is they have found the formula to stop or limit QB Denard Robinson, especially in the running game.  They have to slow down Denard big time again if they want to come out on top. But when it’s all said and done, I believe Michigan will finally get over the hump and take back the Paul Bunyan trophy. My reasoning? They are the home team and the law of averages.  I believe Michigan and Denard Robinson are due, plain and simple. This is Denard’s final chance to finally beat State and I’ll think he’ll come out and take it.

Prediction: Michigan wins 27-24

October 27^th – Michigan State at Wisconsin

Player to Watch: LB Max Bullough

Heading into his second year as the starting MLB, Bullough will be called upon to orchestrate the Spartan defense this season.  If the Spartans want to beat Wisconsin, they will have to shut down Ball and the Badger run game.  Bullough is arguably the best MLB in the Big Ten and he will be a major factor in this defense becoming good or great.

Preview: We all remember what happened last season when these two teams met. First, there was the remarkable Michigan State victory in East Lansing capped off by “Rocket”; which was followed up by a back and forth affair that ultimately resulted in a Wisconsin victory.  State’s emotions will be running high heading into this game. Michigan State will have to be on their A-game to defeat the Badgers at Camp-Randall, especially at night.  Even though Wisconsin loses QB Russell Wilson and 11 other starters, they return Heisman finalist Montee Ball, someone who has done extremely well against State. I fear it will be more of the same for Ball and Wisconsin who will hand the Spartans their second consecutive loss.

Prediction: Wisconsin wins 31-17

November 3^rd – Nebraska at Michigan State

Player to watch: TE Dion Sims

After a having a nice season last year and a fantastic spring, a lot is expected out of Dion Sims.  He is not your typical tight end though, as he weighs 285 pounds.  This allows him to be effective as both a pass-catcher and blocker.  A tight end is often referred to as a QBs security blanket.  Maxwell may need that security blanket more than ever when they play in hostile environments like Camp-Randall Stadium and Michigan Stadium. Sims could be very important against Nebraska in setting up the play-action, which can keep the Cornhuskers defense off balance. 

Preview: After getting thoroughly outplayed by Nebraska last season, the Spartans will seek payback on their home turf this season.  Nebraska returns 16 starters this season and could be a sleeper candidate to win the Legends Division.  Like Wisconsin, State will have to shut down Nebraska’s running game and force QB Taylor Martinez to throw the ball, where he is extremely inconsistent.  State also needs to get off to a much better start than they did in Lincoln last season.  If State can grab an early lead and force Nebraska to eventually abandon the running game, State will be victorious.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 27-17

November 17^th – Northwestern at Michigan State

Player to Watch: CB Johnny Adams

To be honest, I think Johnny Adams will be someone to watch in every single game this year.  A preseason All-American, Adams very well may be the best CB in the entire country.  Adams will be another very important part of the Spartan defense.  Having a shut down corner like Adams will give State’s front 7 plenty of time to disrupt the QB.  With this being his final game at Spartan Stadium, I would expect Adams to go out in a big way.

Preview: The final two games for MSU are relatively easy following the brutal three game stretch of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.  They face Northwestern in what will be their home game of the season. Northwestern has played MSU tough in the past, but this game is not in Evanston.  I see absolutely no way that Michigan State loses at home to Northwestern, especially on senior day.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 31-7

November 24^th – Michigan State at Minnesota

Player to watch: S Demetrious Cox

Demetrious Cox is the most high profile recruit of the Dantonio’s 2011-2012 recruiting class. Cox is not the most gifted safety, but he closes quickly and has great awareness and vision.  Assuming he isn’t redshirted, I could see Cox getting some playing time late in the year to provide rest for starters Isaiah Lewis and Jairus Jones. Cox is the future of the MSU secondary and we may get a little glimpse of him this season.

Preview: Michigan State finishes off their regular season against the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.  Minnesota is arguably the worse team in the Big Ten after finishing last season 3-9.   They are a team that has a never quit attitude, much like their head coach, Jerry Kill.  Unfortunately for Minnesota, effort does not win football games. I expect the Spartans to finish the regular season on a high note, with a thumping of Minnesota.

Prediction:  Michigan State wins 34-10

Final Record: 10-2

Michigan State has one of the most difficult schedules in the Big Ten this season so to expect a Rose Bowl appearance may be too much for the Spartans to handle. With that being said, the Spartans are a good enough to once again reach double digit wins and earn a birth in a good bowl game. Even with the question marks that MSU faces at QB and offense in general, there is one thing not to question with the Spartans, and that is their dedication and motivation; two things that can take a team a long, long way.

Top Spartan Recruiting Snags for 2012

By Sean Gagnier

While their rivals in Ann Arbor stocked up with a full 25 player, nationally ranked recruiting class, the Spartans compiled the 35th ranked class in the country with 18 players - but that's just how Coach Mark Dantonio does things.

In the five years that Dantonio has been the head coach at Michigan State they have never had a recruiting class ranked in the top 25 in the country; and yet the Spartans have compiled the first back-to-back 11 win seasons in school history. Michigan State has consistently turned three and four star players into top players under Dantonio - Greg Jones, B.J. Cunningham, Kirk Cousins.

The 2012 recruiting class is stocked with essential needs for the Spartans - they addressed the wide receiver, tight end and safety positions well and are poised to have another successful year. With the graduation of Cunningham, Keith Nichol and Keshawn Martin, Michigan State was needing at the WR position and it was addressed.

The Spartans wrapped up Tennessee-transfer DeAnthony Arnett, No. 1 ranked player in Michigan Aaron Burbridge, Kyle Kerrick and Monty Madaris. Arnett was a four-star recruit last season before heading to Rocky Top, he transferred to Michigan State for this semester to be near his ailing father and is awaiting a NCAA waiver to play next season. Burbridge was deemed the top ranked player in the state of Michigan as a four-star recruit.

Madaris who signed his letter of intent at 7:35 a.m. on Thursday, is a four-star recruit out of Cincinnati and is ranked as one of the top players in the state of Ohio. Kerrick is a three-star recruit out of Coatesville, PA as is Macgarrett Kings Jr. out of Ft. Lauderdale University School, FL.

Dantonio has stated that Arnett and Burbridge could make immediate impacts with the team meaning that they could both compete for starting positions in 2012. The Spartans also boast Bennie Fowler, Juwuan Caesar and Keith Mumphery in the current receiving corps.

A big get for Dantonio was four-star safety Demetrious Cox, Jeannette, PA. Cox has previously verbally committed to Penn State but after the child abuse scandal surrounding Happy Valley he decommitted and signed up with the Spartans on Wednesday.

Of the 2012 recruiting class, there are about 12 that could have a chance to break into the starting lineup next season - but seeing as the Spartans red-shirted all but one recruit last season, that number could be much smaller than 12. Arnett and Kerrick could break into the receiving corps and tight end's Evan Jones and Josiah Price could compete with Dion Simms for a starting TE job.

Arnett has already settled into the role as a Spartan and has ruffled some feathers in Ann Arbor in a recent interview regarding his recruiting choices. When asked whether he considered Michigan as a transfer location from Tennessee, Arnett said it "wasn't a hard decision. I looked at Michigan and it's kind of thing where, Denard (Robinson) is going to do Denard."

He has not submitted a waiver to the NCAA to play next season with Michigan State and the Spartans have said that there is no timetable for when Michigan State would expect to hear from the NCAA after Arnett officially files his papers. Dantonio has stated that if needed they could wait on Arnett but that he would see the field immediately should he clear NCAA waivers.



Check out the Spartans full recruiting class and the official recruiting video provided by the Michigan State Athletic Department. 

http://www.msuspartans.com/allaccess/?media=296368

Spartans 2012 Recruiting Class
Riley Bullough            ***     LB     6-2"    220 lbs    Traverse City St. Francis
Aaron Burbridge       ****  WR    6-1"    190 lbs     Farmington Hills Harrison
Demeterious Cox      ****   S       6-1"    192 lbs     Jeannette (Pa.)
Jermaine Edmondson ***    DB    6-1"    170 lbs    Canton (Ohio) McKinley
David Fennell             **     DT     6-3"    274 lbs    Portland (Ore.) Sunset
Zach Higgins              ***   OL     6-5"    305 lbs    Alliance (Ohio) Marlington
Evan Jones                ***    TE     6-6"    240 lbs    West Lafayette (Ohio) Ridgewood
Kyle Kerrick             ***    WR   6-3"    183 lbs    Coatesville (Pa.)
Kodi Kieler               *** OT/OL 6-6"    305 lbs    Gibraltar Carlson
Macgarrett Kings Jr.  ***   WR   5-11"   178 lbs    Ft. Lauderdale University School (Fla.)
Jamal Lyles              **** DE/LB 6-3"    215 lbs    Southfield-Lathrup
Monty Madaris        ****   WR   6-2"    190 lbs    Moeller (Ohio)
Benny McGowan      ***    OL    6-4"    290 lbs   Centerville (Ohio)
Mark Meyers           ***     DB   6-0"    180 lbs    Toledo Whitmer (Ohio)
Tyler O'Connor        ***     QB   6-3"    202 lbs    Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic   -ESPN Elite Eight QB
Josiah Price             ***      TE    6-5"    239 lbs   Greent'n (Ind.) Eastern Jr./Sr.
Ezra Robinson         ***      DB   6-0"    174 lbs   Sarasota (Fla.) Booker
Nick Tompkins        ***     RB   5-10"   185 lbs   Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood 









 

Spartan hockey on an aircraft carrier?

By Sean Gagnier

They brought you the first outdoor hockey game, before the NHL's Heritage and Winter Classics and before it became a yearly event for college and professional teams alike. It was called the Cold War, held at Spartan Stadium between Michigan State and Michigan in 2001.

And current Athletic Director Mark Hollis has proven that he is anything but unimaginative having staged a basketball game between his school and North Carolina on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in San Diego, Cali., earlier this year. He has also been known to talk about the possibility of playing the University of Southern California Trojans in Greece.


So it should come as no surprise when Hollis says that the possibility of playing a hockey game on an aircraft carrier is there. He has said that he has been approached with the idea and with his hockey coach Tom Anastos having been the Commissioner of the CCHA who brought the Frozen Four to Detroit it seems that Hollis has leverage in his corner.

Anastos said that he would be in favor of dropping the puck on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

“I just think when you can create good, unique experiences for the student-athletes, it is definitely worth exploring," Anastos said.

The opportunity is there, it's only a matter of the Michigan State athletic department reaching out and seizing the opportunity and if Hollis has proven anything in his tenure - it's that he is willing to reach.

DeAnthony Arnett chooses to play for Michigan State

By Sean Gagnier

It's official, Saginaw's own DeAnthony Arnett will be staying in Michigan and playing for Michigan State.

The University of Tennessee granted Arnett his release to either Michigan or Michigan State on Tuesday after having previously released him to any of the Mid-American Conference schools in the state of Michigan. Arnett had asked for a release from Tennessee to be able to be closer to his family and ailing father back in Saginaw, Mich.


As a true freshman with the Vols' Arnett caught 24 passes and was a major part of the Tennessee offense last season. Arnett will seek a hardship waiver to be able to play with the Spartans next season.

Classes at Michigan State begin on Jan. 9th and Spartan students will have a new classmate as Arnett will begin attending the school on Monday when students return from winter break.

"It was tough from an emotional standpoint, going through things with my father," Arnett said. "The choice of going to State wasn't hard at all."

Arnett said that he had to wait until Tennessee released him before he could talk to anyone from the University of Michigan or Michigan State University. Once he was released to choose a school Arnett said the choice was easy.

"State is home. They were one of the teams that recruited me the hardest. I didn't talk to anyone from (University of) Michigan. I wasn't able to talk to Coach (Mark) Dantonio. I had to wait until Tennessee released me. When that happened, everything else happened right away. It was an easy choice. State is only a 50-minute drive from my house."


The transfer had been on Arnett's mind since September, but he had only asked Vols' head coach Derek Dooley for the transfer just before winter break. When he was being recruited Arnett's father had been doing alright health wise but recently has had heart surgery and has had to undergo dialysis. Because of his declining health, Arnett's father was not able to travel to Tennessee to see any of Arnett's games, something Arnett says is important to him.


While Michigan State may have snagged an impressive receiver, things are not finished - Arnett has to apply for and be approved a hardship waiver by the NCAA. But regardless of if he is approved he will be donning the green and white next season. If his hardship waiver is approved he will maintain all three years of eligibility but if it is declined, according to Arnett he will use his redshirt year in 2012 and will still have three years of eligibility remaining.


Arnett is joining a Michigan State team with a wide open wide receiving corps situation - with B.J. Cunningham, Keith Nichol and Keshawn Martin all graduating this year. Should Arnett be eligible to play next year the Spartans would field a formidable receiving corps of four-star recruit Aaron Burbridge, Arnett, who was ranked as a four-star recruit when Tennessee recruited him, and Juwan Caesar.


With Arnett joining the Spartans he will be joining a team that will be lead by former Midland high school quarterback Andrew Maxwell. Arnett should be familiar with Maxwell as the two played each other when they were both in the Saginaw Valley League in high school.


"I'm walking into a beautiful situation," Arnett said. "I talked to Andrew. We talked about things. I'm ready to roll. We've played against each other. He beat us every time. But the Midland High game when I was a sophomore was one of my best games. It was the game that got my name out there."

Pat Narduzzi staying put - for now

By Sean Gagnier

The University of Akron will have to look elsewhere for its new head coach - Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi recently told the Zips, thanks but no thanks. However, his refusal to head to Ohio doesn't mean Narduzzi isn't still on other short lists across the country.


With departure of Ron Zook from the University of Illinois the Illini look to be very interested in the services of Narduzzi. It also appears as though Pittsburgh is interested in acquiring his services - keep an eye open for them.

Despite the head coach title swirling around him Narduzzi has maintained that his focus is on preparing the Michigan State defense for the Georgia Bulldogs in the upcoming Outback Bowl.

There has been very little said from Michigan State about the future of Narduzzi with the Spartans, with Athletic Director Mark Hollis and Head Coach Mark Dantonio both refusing to make any detailed comments on the subject. Hollis has said that he has set aside an undisclosed amount of money to increase the pay to Dantonio's assistants - something he has been advocating for for years.

This is Narduzzi's fifth year with the Spartans, having come over when Dantonio was named head coach, and the best statistical season for his Spartan defense to date. Despite being attractive to recruits and players as well as presiding over one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, Narduzzi makes only $233,000 a season. A figure that is more than three times lower than many other coordinators of his stature. That being said that is when most coordinators attempt to make the jump to the head coaching position - they aren't sure if they'll ever be in the spotlight again.

With many schools seeking to steal Narduzzi away from Michigan State, Hollis and Dantonio will have to come together after the Outback Bowl and decide on a plan regarding their defensive coordinator - do they do nothing and run the risk of him leaving for a head coaching position or do they offer him an extension on his contract and try to lock him up for the near future.

Regardless of their choice and where Narduzzi eventually lands one thing can be said, it is a good sign when schools come and try to poach coaches from other programs - it means that you're doing something right and they want to try to harness some of your success. While the possible departure of Narduzzi could pose a problem for this Michigan State team the implication of having your offensive coordinator spirited away last year and teams interested in your defensive coordinator means that you have quite the team.

Spartans look to down Wolverines at Yost

By Sean Gagnier
 
After stumbling out of the gates this season the Spartans have caught their stride and haven't looked back, they have soared to No. 14 in the nation after going 8-1-1 over the past 10 games.

With the new regime of Tom Anastos in place Michigan State has adopted the montra, "100 percent, 100 percent of the time" and it has worked. After losing to Lake Superior State University earlier in the season, the Spartans have steadily climbed in the rankings and boast a 10-5-1 (6-4) record.

Although the Spartans sit in sixth place in the conference, they still have 18 conference games left to play and the upcoming home-and-home series with Michigan looms large.

The Wolverines have not maintained their power from last year, after winning the CCHA they currently sit in eighth place with a 8-8-2 (4-6) record, but any game between these two rivals tends to come down to the last period and tends to remain close.

Coach Anastos has preached that this game is more than just another on the schedule, saying there's something more to it than that.

"They say all games count the same," Anastos said. "True, but some games mean a little more."

The rivalry is strong with many of the players on the Spartans team, with captain Torey Krug saying that he lives for games like these against Michigan.

"You go to Michigan State to beat teams like Michigan,” Krug said. “You know, if you don’t have that hatred for Michigan, then I don’t think you’re a true Spartan. It’s just that confidence thing."

Over the past 11 years the two teams have played to an even 21-21-10 series record, while each game tends to be a tight battle. The two met in The Big Chill at the Big House and the Wolverines soundly beat the Spartans 5-0, but both teams broke even on the season with a 2-2 record.

The two teams are heading in different directions of late, with the Spartans having ripped off eight wins in their last ten games and the Wolverines having just one win since Nov. 5. Despite their trends, the two teams are close in their goals per game with Michigan State averaging 3.2 to Michigan's three.

Michigan State will head to Yost Ice Arena on Friday and hopes to continue their streak of late, the game will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit and Saturday's game between the two at Munn Ice Arena will be covered on Big Ten Network.

Are the Spartans Cocky or Just Confident?

In the wake of their first Big Ten championship in decades and what ought to have been a trip to the Rose Bowl the Michigan State Spartans are coming into the 2011 season with a swagger. But many are questioning that swagger; are the Spartans on an ego trip or is their attitude deserved?

The 2010 campaign saw Michigan State win a school-record 11 games and advance to their third straight bowl game; their second on New Year's Day.

Michigan State only stumbled twice last season, being blown out by both Iowa and Alabama in Iowa City and the Capital One Bowl respectively. But in between those losses the Spartans stocked their trophy cases with victories over rivals Michigan, Notre Dame, Minnesota and Penn State.

During the 2010 season the Spartans climbed the national rankings, finding a comfortable spot in the Top Ten for several weeks after reaching all the way to No. 5. Michigan State finished the season ranked No. 14 nationally and enter the 2011 season as No. 17.

The attention and respect that Michigan State has long cried for is finally being paid to them; national television programs, newspapers and bloggers are all tabbing the Spartans as threatening for the inaugural Big Ten Title game.

With an overwhelming majority of their players returning this season and replacements for those who left with years of experience under their belt the Spartans look to be a tough team to beat this season. All three of Michigan State's running backs return to the team as well as several of the play-making receivers.

The offensive line took another hit this off-season but has appropriately plugged the holes and will be able to keep QB Kirk Cousins upright this season. One of the most exciting points for this football team is the defensive line; with the likes of Kevin Pickelman, Jerel Worthy and William Gholston all rushing the passer, the Spartans will improve greatly on defense.

With a Big Ten championship ring on their fingers and an impressive team around them, the Spartans have no need to be cocky, they know their good and they're acting as such. Michigan State has it's swagger back.



Do you have an idea for the nickname for the Spartan defensive front-four? Submit it in a comment or tweet one of our writers and if we like it we'll use it for the rest of the season in our articles.