2008 Preview: Michigan State

2007: 7-6 (3-5), Lost to Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl

Whether the sport is football, basketball, baseball, hockey, curling, or whatever, during the preseason there is always a team that becomes the trendy pick to do well. Usually we try to stay away from such madness, as the team almost always falls on its collective face.

But this year is a little different, because this time we have to agree with the all the writers/bloggers/jokers on SportsCenter. This year, Michigan State ought to be good. The team Penn State used to routinely blow out of the water turned the tides last year and spanked us during the second half of the contest in East Lansing. This team has a solid defense, a scary offense, and they could challenge for one of the top spots in the Big11Ten.

Just look at the difference one year (and a new coach makes). In 2006, Michigan State was a predictably disappointing 4-8 under coach John L. Smith. Not surprisingly, that was Smith’s last year at the helm. Last year, new coach Mark Dantonio led the Spartans to a 7-6 finish and a tight loss against Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Now we all know the stats: all of the Spartans’ losses last season were by a margin of 7 points or less. That means they weren’t quite ready to step up in big pressure moments. It also means they are close to making the leap. This year, the Spartans could be ready. The team has a chance to be very potent on offense, as they return quarterback Brian Hoyer, who threw for over 2,700 yards and 20 touchdowns last year in his first season as the starter. However, he’ll be missing his favorite target from last year, Devin Thomas, who was a second round pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

The offense’s success will hinge on the play of receivers senior Deon Curry, sophomore Mark Dell and redshirt freshman B.J. Cunningham. Curry was second best in receptions by a wideout, but had just 24. Dell had 20 catches for 220 yards and should play a bigger role this season. Look for big time recruit Fred Smith to make an impact this year as well.

At running back is Javon Ringer, a guy who has flown a bit under the radar for a number of reasons. But he is primed for a big year if all goes well to plan. Ringer lead the team with 1494 yards rushing (5.9 yards per carry), but was a bit overshadowed by touchdown machine Jehuu Caulcrick, who had 21 scores last year. With Caulcrick gone, look for Ringer to be the go-to guy and to have an outstanding senior year. Ringer also caught 35 passes for nearly 300 yards last year, so he will be a help to Hoyer out of the backfield.

Ringer could be a beast in the Big11Ten.

On the O-line, the Spartans return two starters in Roland Martin and Joel Nitchman. Junior Rocco Cironi has big shoes to fill, replacing All-Conference left tackle Pete Clifford and trying to protect Hoyer’s blind side. With help from some incoming freshman, the line should be good enough to serve the skill players well.

While Michigan State can light it up on offense, defense was their downfall last year, ranking just 8th in the conference in scoring defense, giving up 26.6 points per game.
The defense is still questionable, although it does have a number of big time players. Linebacker Greg Jones had a stellar true freshman campaign last year, with 78 tackles, including 4.5 sacks. Cornerback Kendall Davis-Clark (72 tackles, 4 sacks) and safety Otis Wiley (4 interceptions) lead a defensive backfield that has a good amount of experience.

The biggest question mark for the Spartans is their defensive line. They lost quite a bit of production from last season, but junior defensive end Trevor Anderson, a transfer who played under Dantonio at Cincinnati looks to make a big impact this year. If the line holds up, this could be a very good defensive unit.

We just realized that there’s a glaring lack of jokes in this preview. That’s because there will most likely be a glaring lack of crappy football being played in East Lansing this year. Unlike their counterparts in Ann Arbor, the Spartans should strike some fear into the hearts of Nittany Lion fans this year. We play them in the last game of the regular season, and the winner of that match up could be in line for a great conference finish and a big-time bowl game.

Our prediction for Michigan State this season: 9-3 (5-3 Big11Ten).