College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2018
By Zach Bigalke
Michigan State came out of nowhere in 2017 to contend for the Big Ten East title. They took down Michigan and Penn State, but couldn’t close the deal against Ohio State. For a young team, though, it offered a real jolt of hope for a fan base that was hoping 3-9 in 2015 was merely a blip on the radar.
The Spartans will also get a big boost in the preseason AP Top 25 from their 42-17 trouncing of Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. It was a fitting conclusion to a strong first season starting for quarterback Brian Lewerke. The dual-threat star threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-21 passing and added 73 rushing yards in the blowout of the Cougars.
Mark Dantonio’s team enters the new season with a lot of experience throughout its roster. Even if tailback LJ Scott elects to declare for the NFL Draft, the Spartans offense will still be in phenomenal shape in the new season. The passing attack couldget even better with another season of Lewerke building rapport with veteran players like Felton Davis and Darrell Stewart Jr.
Utah State, Arizona State, and Central Michigan mark a manageable non-conference schedule for the Spartans. Michigan State also avoids Wisconsin and Iowa in interdivisional play, though they do have to play Nebraska in Lincoln as well as host Northwestern. Everything lines up for Michigan State to be among the top-ranked teams in the preseason AP Top 25.