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Michigan State
Last year, the Spartans were playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl when they suffered a tough loss to Penn State in the season finale. This year, they're looking to take that next step and get the bid. Mark Dantonio thinks he's got the pieces in place to continue the Spartans' climb through the Big Ten. He's going to have a little work in front of him, though. Both Ringer and Hoyer are gone this year, so Sparty's going to have to come up with a new QB and a new RB in the same year.
Michigan State still deserves a schedule that will showcase their talent and help propel them up the national ranks.
The Schedule
September 5 - vs Montana State - typical FCS opponent to open the season. It annoys the crap out of me, but what do ya do? Actually, this is a pretty good chance to work in the new offense before real competition starts.
September 12 - vs Central Michigan - I'd rather see someone a little more powerful here, but okay...still working out the kinks.
September 19 - @ Notre Dame - I like this one. There's the potential for the Irish to be a decent team this year. They also have the potential to stink. I'm hoping for the former. That would make this an interesting game and provide the Spartans with someone they can test their abilities against.
September 26 - @ Wisconsin - This could be a pretty good game. Wisconsin thinks they can return to what they were supposed to be last year. If so, this will be a very good game.
October 3 - vs Michigan - This should be exciting. This has always been a tough in-state rivalry, but since Michigan took such a horrible slide last year, it's taken on a new feel. Sparty definitely wants to prove they're still the best team in the state. Michigan needs to regain a little of their old swagger. Should be a pretty good match.
October 10 - @ Illinois - The Illini will have an offense that will test the Spartan "D". Michigan State will have to work to get past the Illini.
October 17 - vs Northwestern - Will look a lot like the week before. The Wilcats will stretch the Spartans.
October 24 - vs Iowa - Hopefully, Iowa will be ranked by this time of the season. Actually, there's a chance Northwestern will be too. These two dates are where Michigan State can earn a little extra credibility; or as much as can be gained in the Big Ten right now.
October 31 - @ Minnesota - This could potentially be a pretty decent game. I kind of doubt it, though. I don't think Minnesota will quite be up to MSU standards yet. It should be a good road win for Sparty.
November 7 - vs Western Michigan - I hate this. I absolutely, positively hate it. What's the point in this game? This date is surrounded by two very winnable games (actually several winnable games), so it's not like they need a down week to recover. They could do so much better than this at this point of the season.
November 14 - @ Purdue - This is another easy road win for the Spartans. I don't see Purdue being ready for this game.
November 21 - vs Penn State - This is one of the toughest games for MSU of the season. There's a decent chance Michigan State could be right back where they were last year: playing the Nittany Lions with a shot at the Rose Bowl on the line.
Okay....so what?
Well, if the Spartans don't have a good year with this schedule, then Dantonio didn't put the right pieces to the puzzle together. The Spartans don't have to face the Buckeyes and they get Penn State, Iowa and Northwestern all at home. Illinois is probably the toughest road date they'll have all year long.
Most of the schedule is very winnable. Michigan could give them some problems if RichRod gets that program running closer to the way he wants. The Illinois date should be pretty tough as will the Northwestern date right after. Iowa should also be pretty tough. Still, any of those are potential wins. Then they'll get a nice three game stretch with Minnesota, Western Michigan and Purdue. That shoudl be a pretty good stretch for them, before they have to face Penn State.
All-in-all, I'd like to see some tougher opponents up front; particularly, I'd like to see some ranked teams on the schedule. There's a chance that Illinois, NW, and/or Iowa could be ranked, maybe even all three, though I doubt it. They'll just need to do the best they can with what the've got, and go for big wins. I hate running the score up, but that's the only way to get noticed these days, so run it up boys.
Way too early prediction
Montana State and Central Michigan should be fairly easy wins for the Spartans. Notre Dame has the potential to be a solid opponent, but I'll still give this one to MSU, so they should be 3-0 when they start conference play.
Wisconsin could be pretty tough too, and that one's on the road, but I've already given this one to the Spartans and I see no real reason to reverse that. Michigan is the big question mark in my book. It's as much a mental issue as anything. It's a rivalry game, and I think Michigan will be good enough to make a solid game of it. I've already called this one for the Spartans too, and will stick to it. Going to Champaign will be a tough test. Illinois will definitely stretch out the Spartan "D". I'm just not confident that they can stretch it enough to score consistently. I'll stay with the Spartans on this one as well, though I'll admit I'm not over confident in it. That makes the Spartans 6-0 overall, bowl eligible and 3-0 in the Big Ten.
Then comes Northwestern. The Wildcats should give the Spartans all they can handle. Still, I like Sparty to knock off NW to go 7-0 (4-0). Then comes Iowa. Honestly folks, this isn't just a homer pick. I like Iowa in this one. I think MSU comes in a little too confident, and Iowa will have already suffered a lost by this point, just adding to that confidence. I think this is Iowa's big "upset" win of the season. MSU will bounce back nicely against Minnesota, though to 8-1, 5-1 in the conference.
Western Michigan may be a pretty decent team, but they're not that decent. The Spartans will plenty focused for that game, as well as their trip to Purdue the following week. Then comes the season finale against Penn State. Once again, it could be entirely possible that a Rose Bowl berth may be on the line. That, of course, is assuming Illinois, Penn State or Iowa can upset Ohio State somewhere along the line. I think those are the only teams that can. I still don't think Michigan State will get past the Nittany Lions, even if it is at home.
Final Tally: Michigan State will go 10-2 overall, 6-2 in the Big Ten and get a great bowl game. Hopefully, this time they'll pull off a bowl win and help bring a little respect back to the Big Ten Conference. There are plenty of games here that could go either way, but I think a 10-win season is within reach of these Spartans.
Next up....Penn State
Way Too Early Look at Big Ten Schedules (Part 9)
Friday, April 17, 2009, 05:09 PM EST
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