USA TODAY International Edition
Michigan State should be in mix with Cook at QB
Each weekend leading up to the July 30 announcement of the preseason Amway Coaches Poll, USA TODAY Sports will look at a football team that is likely to be highly ranked. This week: Michigan State.
The situation: Michigan State’s 2014 campaign was very good. It fell just short of being extra special. The Spartans wrapped up an 11- 2 slate with a spectacular comeback win against Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, and their two losses came against the two teams that wound up duking it out for the national championship. Can Mark Dantonio’s team take another step forward and join the playoff party?
Key returners and losses: The offense figures to be in good hands with Connor Cook under center. The senior quarterback enters with a 24- 3 record and a solid grasp of the playbook. Most of Cook’s ballhandlers will be new to the starting lineup, however, and there isn’t much experience behind him should the injury bug bite.
The competition to succeed Jeremy Langford as the primary tailback was stiff throughout the spring between sophomore Gerald Holmes and redshirt freshman Madre London. It likely will continue in the fall as top recruit L. J. Scott arrives. Cook’s main aerial targets, Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery, also must be replaced. Macgarrett Kings Jr. leads the group of returning wideouts, and Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett had a strong spring and could be poised for a breakout season. Junior tight end Josiah Price also should figure prominently in the passing game. The interior line, anchored by left tackle Jack Conklin and center Jack Allen, should be a strength.
The most significant loss to the defense might be coordinator Pat Narduzzi, who is the new head coach at Pittsburgh. But the philosophy will remain largely the same with Harlon Barnett and Mike Tressel serving as co- coordinators with plenty of talent on hand. The star of the unit should be end Shilique Calhoun, who recorded a team- high eight sacks in 2014. Linebackers Ed Davis and Riley Bullough will lead the group at the second level. The defensive backfield has some holes to fill because free safety Kurtis Drummond graduated and cornerback Trae Waynes went off to the NFL early. Safeties Montae Nicholson and RJ Williamson should hold things together.
Key number: 1.46. One benefit the Spartans should continue to enjoy with an experienced hand at quarterback is ball security. Michigan State was + 19 in turnover margin last season with 34 takeaways and 15 lost. That average of 1.46 to the good per game was second to Oregon nationally.
2015 schedule: Sept. 4 at Western Michigan; Sept. 12 vs. Oregon; Sept. 19 vs. Air Force; Sept. 26 vs. Central Michigan; Oct. 3 vs. Purdue; Oct. 10 at Rut- gers; Oct. 17 at Michigan; Oct. 24 vs. Indiana; Nov. 7 at Nebraska; Nov. 14 vs. Maryland; Nov. 21 at Ohio State; Nov. 28 vs. Penn State.
The Spartans have their opportunities against last year’s playoff finalists. This time they get the Ducks at home and will have the experienced signal caller. The game against Ohio State won’t be nearly as advantageous as it will be in Columbus. There are plenty of other pitfalls Michigan State must avoid in Big Ten play; missing Wisconsin from the opposite division is an apparent break, but beating Nebraska in Lincoln is never a given.
Why this is a top 25 team: With several of the big names in the Big Ten under new management, the Spartans should be well- served by their relative continuity. But the same can be said of their primary divisional rival. They’ll have to find a way to get past Ohio State to claim the league crown, which will be the year’s main goal.