Michigan State Football: Don’t overlook Spartans in Big Ten race

No team in the country returns more experience than Michigan State football. Can the Spartans crack through to take a stacked Big Ten East this year?

It is often unwise to underestimate Mark Dantonio. The Michigan State head coach already has more Big Ten titles in his 11 years at the helm as Spartans legend Duffy Daugherty mustered in his 19 years leading the team. He can’t claim the national titles that Daugherty and Biggie Munn can boast, but Dantonio has proven at least the equal of his legendary forebears in the position.

This year, it would be especially unwise to underestimate Dantonio. The Spartans squad returning in 2018 brings back the most returning production in the entire FBS. Only three players are gone this year from the combined 22 members of the starting 2017 offense and defense.

That group stands to be even better this year, after they broke out ahead of schedule. A surprise 10-win team at Michigan State was in contention for the Big Ten East title far later into 2017 than anyone expected. And only an inexplicable triple-overtime loss against Northwestern prevented the Spartans from reaching 11 wins. A younger group came of age and matured quickly.

With so much returning talent, Dantonio’s 2018 squad could be even better than last year’s group. Could they push Ohio State, Penn State, and rival Michigan for the Big Ten East this season and play for the conference title for the first time since 2015? Let’s look at the Spartans offense and defense before assessing Michigan State’s schedule and their chances for the upcoming season.