To build excitement for the upcoming season, I will be releasing an individual team preview for each of my top 25 teams every day until the season starts. The preview continues with #8 Michigan State.
2013 Review
Michigan State took the world by storm last year. Their dominant defense destroyed every offense in its path last year, giving up no more than 28 points in any game all year. The offense took a while to find its grove, but the defense carried the team in early wins against Western Michigan, South Florida, and Youngstown State. The defense played very well, giving up just 17 points in the teams fourth game against Notre Dame, but the offense couldn't carry up its end, as the Spartans would end up losing 17-13. They would bounce back from that loss by winning all of their last eight games, giving up less than ten points in five of those contests, including a 29-6 win over Michigan in which they allowed 168 total yards and -48 rushing yards. They would put themselves on the national scale with a 34-24 win over Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship, ending the Buckeyes perfect record. The win would carry the Spartans into the Rose Bowl where they would top Stanford 24-20 in an instant classic.
Season Outlook
Nobody will be overlooking the strong defense of Michigan State this year. They did lose multiple solid starters, but the no-fly zone will stay strong, along with one of the best defensive ends in college football, Shilique Calhoun. They return a lot of key starters on the offensive side of the ball, including quarterback Connor Cook and running back Jeremy Langford. After an easy season opener against Jacksonville State, they play the biggest non-conference game of the year on the road against Oregon. After two easy home games against Eastern Michigan and Wyoming, They will open conference play with a tough home game against Nebraska. They then have back to back winnable road games with Indiana and Purdue, before back to back huge home games against Ohio State and Michigan. They end the year with a home game against Rutgers in between road games with Maryland and Penn State. Michigan State's defense won't be as good as last year, although they will still be one of the nations top defenses. When you mix that with a much improved offense, the Spartans should be able to climb back to the top of the Big 10 again, and maybe even a playoff appearance.
Season Prediction
11-1 (7-1) 1st in Big 10 East
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