College football trades we wish could happen in 2015

Nov 28, 2014; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) before the start of the game against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Michigan State Spartans were fortunate to have quarterback Connor Cook return for his senior season and bypass the 2015 NFL Draft, but he lost his top target in wide receiver Tony Lippett to the NFL. Coupled with the loss of leading rusher Jeremy Langford and Cook doesn’t have the same type of firepower he has the last two years when the Spartans finished in the top-five each year.

To compete with Ohio State for the Big Ten championship, the Spartans have to go all-in and sacrifice some prospects for arguably the top receiver in college and get Colorado State’s Rashard Higgins.

Related: Top 15 Coaches Without a National Championship

Last year, Higgins led the nation with 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns on 96 receptions in Jim McElwain’s offense. McElwain is gone to take the job at Florida and Higgins quarterback, Garrett Grayson is in the NFL, so the Rams give up their top asset for a pair of four-star receivers committed to the Spartans.

Four-star receivers Justin Layne and Cameron Chambers are the No. 29 and No. 35 ranked receivers, respectively, and would give the Rams four years of production vs. one from Higgins before he’s in the NFL. They start the rebuild under first-year head coach Mike Bobo a little early while the Spartans push their chips to the center of the table to try to take out the Buckeyes.

Next: LSU gets a QB