MICHIGAN STATE (7-6, 3-5)
The 2012 season started out well for the Michigan State football team, as the Spartans ground out a solid 17-13 win over perennial power and the-team-you-don’t-want-to-face Boise State. That was followed the next week by a trouncing of Central Michigan, a team that has always caused Michigan State problems. But from there it went badly, and the team lost four of the next six games, including a heartbreaking 12-10 loss at Michigan. The good news for coach Mark Dantonio, who is in his seventh year as coach, is that he has a lot of returning players who felt the pain of 2012.
OFFENSE: The Spartans return nine players on their offense, including four of five on the offensive line and senior quarterback Andrew Maxwell. The problem for Dantonio and his offensive staff is that the team lost workhorse running back Le’Veon Bell, who is now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. Bell ran for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, and since Michigan State likes to run the ball, finding his replacement is a must. Maxwell did have solid stats last year, throwing for 2,606 yards and 13 touchdowns, but a running game is needed in East Lansing, and it will be interesting to see that play out.
DEFENSE: The defense also has a lot of experience, as seven players return, including senior linebacker Max Bullough, who led the team in tackles with 111. The team’s sack leader, William Gholston, is playing in Tampa Bay now. He had 4.5 sacks last year, so finding a push up front is another ‘must’ this fall. In all, though, defense is always played in East Lansing, and that should be no different this year with a defensive-minded head coach.
OUR TAKE: The schedule sets up for Michigan State to have a pretty solid season. The Spartans only have one really tough game in their first eight, and that is the September 21 game at Notre Dame. After the first eight games, Michigan State hosts Michigan November 2, and there will likely be more than just state bragging rights on the line that day. Consecutive games against Michigan and at Nebraska and Northwestern may limit the Spartans to eight wins this year.
COACH’S COMMENT: “We’re excited about 2013 coming and look forward to it. We’ve got a lot of experience back. [We’ve been to] six straight bowl games, and the last two we were able to win. There is a feeling, I think, among our football team that a foundation has been laid, but we’re still chasing a dream right now,” Dantonio said at Big Ten Media Day.
SCHEDULE:
8/30 WESTERN MICHIGAN 8 p.m.
9/7 SOUTH FLORIDA Noon
9/14 YOUNGSTOWN STATE 2 p.m.
9/21 Notre Dame 3:30 p.m.
10/5 Iowa Noon
10/12 INDIANA Noon
10/19 PURDUE TBA
10/26 Illinois 3:30 p.m.
11/2 MICHIGAN TBA
11/16 Nebraska TBA
11/23 Northwestern TBA
11/30 MINNESOTA TBA
12/7 Big Ten Championship Game TBA