Michigan State Spartans. 2014 record: 11-2, 7-1 Big 10
OFFENSE: The Spartans have two cornerstones for a successful offense, with the return of senior quarterback Connor Cook and with a big, strong, and experienced offensive line. Cook and left tackle Jack Conklin are potential first round picks in next year’s NFL draft. The Spartans graduated a number of key receivers but have a number of options in line, including Aaron Burbridge, R.J. Shelton, and Macgarrett Kings. MSU also needs someone to take over as lead running back but, again, plenty of talented candidates exist, especially super-talented freshman Larry Scott.
DEFENSE: The Spartan defense suffered a major hit on the first day of fall practice, when senior linebacker Ed Davis was lost for the season with a knee injury. While the loss of Davis will hurt, the Spartans are deep at linebacker. They are even deeper along the defensive front, where defensive end Shilique Calhoun spurned the NFL last spring to return for his senior season. The Spartans are solid at safety but must retool at corner.
LOCAL ANGLE: Saginaw High graduate DeAnthony Arnett showed flashes during the spring and may be ready for a breakout season. Carman-Ainsworth grad Gerald Holmes is a sophomore running back who is in the mix for playing time this fall. Freeland grad Kyle Guster and Lansing Catholic Central grad Matt Macksood are part of the deep group of receivers.
OUR TAKE: The Spartans are loaded for bear. If they take care of business and defeat Oregon in September, they could be playing Ohio State for the Big Ten East title and a possible shot in the national playoff come late November.
Michigan Wolverines. 2014 record: 5-7, 3-5 Big 10
OFFENSE: New Wolverine coach Jim Harbaugh is a quarterback guru, and he is sure to develop a solid signal caller from a group that includes junior Shane Morris and senior graduate transfer Jake Ruddock. The Wolverines have the makings of an improved offense, thanks to a now-veteran offensive line that has size and talent. They also return a deep stable of talented backs, who are poised to improve.
DEFENSE: U of M was seventh in the nation last year in total defense, and 24 of the 29 players listed on the final depth chart are back. New defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin benefits from the return of senior linebacker Desmond Morgan, who missed all of last year. Durkin will also have a healthy Jabrill Petters.
LOCAL ANGLE: Former Rockford standout Ben Braden started every game at tackle last year but moves inside to guard this year. True freshman Brian Cole of Heritage looks to make an impact at wide receiver, where the Wolverines need help.
OUR TAKE: If the Wolverines get decent quarterback play, the offense will be much more effective under Harbaugh. With another solid defense, Harbaugh’s first season back could be very special.
Central Michigan Chippewas. 2014 record: 7-6, 5-3 MAC
OFFENSE: The Chippewas offense ended last season in a big way, as quarterback Cooper Rush tossed an FBS bowl-record seven touchdown passes against Western Kentucky in the Bahamas Bowl. Rush is back this season, but star receiver Titus Davis has graduated. The Chippewas do have a couple of veteran wide receivers back, along with some talented youngsters. The offensive line returns three starters.
DEFENSE: CMU returns five starters from a defense that was first in the league last season. Three of four starters return to the defensive line, with the big question mark at linebacker, where the team is very inexperienced.
LOCAL ANGLE: Rush, a Lansing Catholic graduate, passed for over 3,100 yards last season and 27 touchdowns. The offensive line features a pair of local starters in left tackle Ramadan Ahmeti (Waverly) and right guard Kenny Rogers (Holt). In the defensive secondary, former New Lothrop standout Amari Coleman is looking to start at cornerback.
OUR TAKE: The Chippewas have a new coach in John Bonamego, who has roots in Mt. Pleasant. If the receivers develop, the offense will be potent. Developing linebackers will be key to defensive success.
Western Michigan Broncos. 2014 record: 8-5, 6-2 MAC
OFFENSE: The Broncos offense was second in the MAC in scoring last season, and it returns seven starters. Junior quarterback Zach Terrell returns after passing for 3,443 yards and 26 touchdowns last fall. Sophomore running back Jarvion Franklin turned in a big year as a freshman, as he rushed for 1,551 yards and 24 touchdowns.
DEFENSE: The Broncos improved on defense last season, as they allowed 24.9 points per game. Three starters return along the line and three starting linebackers return, along with a pair of starting defensive backs.
LOCAL ANGLE: Starting right offensive guard Taylor Moton is an Okemos graduate and one of the team’s top linemen. Redshirt-freshman Curtis Doyle (Alma) is a backup at guard and has a bright future. True freshman Alex Grace of Swan Valley is looking to make an immediate impact at outside linebacker.
OUR TAKE: Coach P.J. Fleck has turned the Broncos into one of the most exciting teams in the MAC. WMU will be one of the best teams in the league, but expect a major program to come calling for Fleck soon.
Eastern Michigan Eagles. 2014 record: 2-10, 1-7 MAC
OFFENSE: Sophomore Reginald Bell turned in some big games last fall, after taking over the quarterback duties. He is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who will give fans a reason to take in an Eastern game. The Eagles have some veteran receivers for Bell to target.
DEFENSE: Defense was Eastern’s downfall last year, as the Eagles allowed 40.9 points per game and surrendered 498.8 yards per game. The Eagles do return seven starters from that defense, which may or may not be a plus.
LOCAL ANGLE: Junior offensive guard Matt Thornton (Owosso) is looking to start at right guard this season. Senior right tackle Andrew Wylie (Midland) is a returning starter for an offensive line that has a local flavor.
OUR TAKE: The Eagles have the pieces in place to be explosive on offense. The defense, however, has a way to go. Add it up, and the Eagles should be in some entertaining offense-based games this fall.
Ferris State Bulldogs. 2014 record: 11-1, 10-0 GLIAC
OFFENSE: The Bulldogs offense returns record-breaking quarterback Jason Vander Laan, who won the Harlon Hill Trophy last year. Ferris also boasts a dynamic ground game, headed by sophomore running back Jahaan Brown, who earned preseason all-American honors. Veteran offensive linemen return to pave the way for, what should be, a high-scoring offense.
DEFENSE: Ferris returns its top three tacklers from last season, giving the defense a good foundation. Defensive end Justin Zimmer and cornerback Troy Smith are also preseason, first-team all-Americans, while junior linebacker Anthony Darkangelo is a second-team all-American.
LOCAL ANGLE: Zimmer, a senior, is a Greenville graduate who is poised for a huge senior year. KC Zenner (Rockford) led the Bulldogs in tackles last year as a redshirt-freshman. Nick Huckaby, a junior linebacker from Montrose, was fifth on the team in tackles last year.
OUR TAKE: Look for the Bulldogs to pick up where they left off last year. Ranked second in the nation in Division 2, Ferris State has a chance to win a national title this season.
Grand Valley State Lakers. 2014 record: 6-5, 6-4 GLIAC
OFFENSE: The Lakers will be breaking in a new starting quarterback, with a number of candidates in the mix. Three veteran running backs return, as do a pair of standout offensive linemen.
DEFENSE: The Lakers have a trio of defensive linemen returning, making the line a major strong point. Grand Valley also has plenty of veterans in the secondary.
LOCAL ANGLE: Bart Williams, a sophomore from Grand Blanc, is in the mix at quarterback. Senior offensive tackle Jim Walsh (Howell) is the top returning offensive lineman and a potential all-American. Kyle Short (Rockford) and Garrett Pougnet (Powers Catholic) are leaders in the secondary.
OUR TAKE: If the Lakers can develop a standout at quarterback, the offense has a chance to be among the best in the GLIAC. Grand Valley’s defense looks strong, and a bounce-back season may be in the cards for the long-time GLIAC powerhouse.
Saginaw Valley State. 2014 record: 2-9, 2-8 GLIAC
OFFENSE: The Cardinals were young last year, especially on offense. Sophomore Tyler Paulka returns at quarterback, but the team is very excited about Brad Odeman, a transfer from San Diego State University. Saginaw Valley also returns its top rusher, Allante Gardner, and its top receiver, Bryan Fobbs.
DEFENSE: SVSU was hit hard by injuries on defense last year. The healthy return of defensive tackle Jordan Sanders and safety Major Metcalf will be a big boost to the defense that returns sophomore linebacker Bryan Jones, who led the team in tackles last year.
LOCAL ANGLE: Former Byron standout Zane Brugger is looking for a bigger role at linebacker this season. At tight end, senior Patrick O’Brien (Powers Catholic) is in the mix, after contributing last year.
OUT TAKE: Saginaw Valley was incredibly young last year. Add to that a number of key injuries, and it was a long season. With better health this year and a lot more experience, look for the Cardinals to have a big rebound season.
Northwood Timberwolves: 2014 record: 5-6, 4-6 GLIAC
OFFENSE: The Timberwolves return a pair of experienced quarterbacks in senior Mark Morris and junior Mitch Robinson. Senior running back Jared Biguglio is also back after rushing for 908 yards last season. The top two receivers from a year ago also return.
DEFENSE: Northwood improved on defense last season and is focused on keeping the momentum going this fall. Junior linebacker Michael Fisher led the team and GLIAC in tackles last fall and earned first-team all-conference honors. The top three tacklers return, along with defensive back Ayrn Curtis, who led the team with six picks last year.
LOCAL ANGLE: Biguglio, a senior from Swan Valley, will be a focal point of the offense again this season. Junior defensive lineman Colt Harrington (Greenville) turned in a strong season last fall and is looking to build on that success.
OUR TAKE: The Northwood program suffered a major loss in the off-season with the passing of long-time coaching stalwart Pat Riepma, who had returned to the sidelines last year and had the program pointed in the right direction. Look for the staff and players to dedicate the season to keeping the program headed up the ladder in the GLIAC.
Alma Scots: 2014 record: 2-8, 0-6 MIAA
OFFENSE: The Scots were very young on offense last year. Freshman quarterback Dylan Zaborowski passed for over 1,500 yards and 12 scores and ran for close to 400 yards and five touchdowns. Sophomore running back Tommie Dawson led the team in rushing last season.
DEFENSE: Alma looks to continue its defensive improvement, with two of the top three tacklers returning. Senior Terry Calagon totaled 85 tackles, 12 for loss, last season and earned first-team all-league honors.
LOCAL ANGLE: Senior linebacker Gavin Smith, a Pewamo-Westphalia graduate, led the team in tackles, with 86, last year and is back to help anchor the defense. Sophomore Austin Kemp, a Holt grad, led the Scots in interceptions, with three last year. Sophomore tight end Zach Hunter of Lowell caught 15 passes last year, including a pair of touchdowns.
OUR TAKE: The Scots have a more experienced squad this season. With key players returning on both sides of the ball, Alma fans can look forward to improvement this season.