2014-15 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Spartans
If you ever doubted Mark Dantonio before, you definitely shouldn’t anymore. Dantonio has done an amazing job at Michigan State. Keep in mind this was a program in disarray when he arrived. John L. Smith had driven them in the ground with back to back ugly seasons before Dantonio totally righted the ship.
Big Ten 2014-2015 College Football Preview – Spartans
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
2013 Record: 13-1
Michigan State Odds to win the National Championship: +2,000
Michigan State Odds to reach the 4 Team Playoff: +250
Season Win Total: 9.5
Michigan State had what was its best season since the 1960’s last season. This team was a five point underdog against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game and won 34-24.
They then knocked off Stanford 24-20 in the Rose Bowl as a seven point underdog. This team isn’t taking a back seat to anyone in the Big Ten anymore. Now, the Spartans must prove they have staying power.
They don’t want to be a one-year wonder. Michigan State lost some key contributiors from last year.
Will they be able to reload instead of rebuild?
Team Strengths:
They lost Darqueze Dennard, but this secondary is still absolutely loaded. Michigan State actually returns six of their top eight players in the secondary. This is a unit that sets the tone for the entire defense with their aggressive nature. Look for a big season out of star free safety Kurtis Drummond.
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A year ago it would have sounded crazy to even consider the quarterback position for a team strength, but Connor Cook’s play late last year really led them to some impressive victories.
Cook played as well as any quarterback in the Big Ten in the last few weeks of the season, and I see no reason to assume that was an aberration. The weapons around him should be better than they were last year, and Cook should have a very good season.
The Spartans defensive line is deep, and they are athletic. The defensive ends are great at getting after the quarterback, and the defensive tackles plug the running lanes well.
It’s gotten to the point where Michigan State deserves credit for having one of the best coaching staffs in the country.
Dantonio is tremendous and Pat Narduzzi has been amazing as the team’s defensive coordinator. As long as these guys are around, this Spartans team will be tough to beat.
Team Weaknesses:
The one major question mark for Michigan State this season is the offensive line.
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They return just 61 career starts on the offensive front. The Spartans have a good center to build around in Jack Allen, but the rest of the offensive line is awfully inexperienced. Can the two tackle spots be good enough to keep Cook upright against the strong pass rushes in the Big Ten?
Michigan State’s depth is improved at the wide receiver spot, but I’m still not sure they have game changers at this position.
There is no one guy here that the defense will have to game plan against. This is a group of solid pass catchers who are more move the sticks type of guys. Will that be enough? Only time will tell, but lack of explosiveness could certainly be an issue.
Michigan State lost two All-American linebackers, and that’s bound to hurt the defense.
Max Bullough was a leader on the defense. A couple less big hitters on the defensive side of the ball this year.
2014-2015 Michigan State Football Prediction: 11-2
Michigan State will have a hard time getting to last season’s win total. Their non-conference game at Oregon is going to be a really tough test on a defense that is young at some key positions. Michigan State does have a favorable schedule in the Big Ten. They host Ohio State, Michigan, and Nebraska.
This team is going to be very good, but I expect them to drop a notch from last year.
2014 Michigan State Schedule
- 8/29/14 TBD JVST
- 9/6/14 6:30 PM ET @ORE
- 9/20/14 TBD EMU
- 9/27/14 TBD WYO
- 10/4/14 8:00 PM ET NEB
- 10/11/14 TBD @PUR
- 10/18/14 TBD @IND
- 10/25/14 TBD MICH
- 11/8/14 TBD OSU
- 11/15/14 8:00 PM ET @MD
- 11/22/14 TBD RUTG
- 11/29/14 TBD @PSU
