College Football Playoff: 5 Teams Who Can Win 2015 Title Without Top QB

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans players react on the sidelines of the game against the Baylor Bears in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Michigan State beat Baylor 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: Michigan State Spartans

Why they can win it: Excellent Defense, Solid Running Game, Top Coaching Staff
What help will they need: Depth in Secondary and at Wide Receiver
Who’s in their way: Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan

The Spartans have been pushing the envelope for a few years now, and looked primed to break through in 2014. Unfortunately the Ohio State Buckeyes had others plans in the Big Ten.

Connor Cook is a good quarterback, but he’s also not quite the Heisman contender that many made him out to be last season. If he can play within himself and let the Spartans’ defense do its job, they can go as far as they want.

Cook does need some help at wide receiver. He’s got some experienced receivers, but they need to hang on to more passes, and not leave their QB twisting in the wind with unnecessary interceptions. The Spartans ranked 36th in the nation in pass offense last season, a number that will need to be bumped up to a Top 20 rank.

Next: Wisconsin