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

Defense

Defensive end Demetrius Cooper and linebacker Chris Frey aren’t necessarily easy players to replace. But Mark Dantonio and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel have plenty of returning talent coming back from one of the nation’s best defenses in 2017. That should help mitigate the losses of Cooper and Frey.

The group last year ranked 38th nationally in total sacks. More importantly, the defensive line and linebackers stymied opponents’ rushing attacks. Michigan State finished 2017 ranked fifth nationally in rushing yards allowed, giving up just 101 yards per game.

Though Demetrius Cooper is gone, the defensive line gets back talent like sack leader Kenny Willekes to keep pressuring offensive lines and quarterbacks from the edge. They also return middle linebacker Joe Bachie, who led the team in total tackles and added three interceptions last year. The 4-3 group should be just fine despite the two losses, as they look to maintain their dominant form from 2017.

Focusing on the secondary

The secondary is the one unit that returns all of its starters from the 2017 roster. The group held opponents under 200 passing yards per game. They also ranked in the top 15 nationally in passing efficiency defense.

Safety David Dowell is the linchpin of the group, a key cog who led the team with five interceptions last year. Khari Willis is the senior player of the group at the other safety position. Junior cornerback Justin Layne is a steady presence on one side of the field.

But the most important player might be the other corner, Josiah Scott. As a freshman last year, Scott led the team with nine passes defensed. As a whole, the group could be even more dominant in 2018, especially if the front seven succeeds in putting more pressure on opponents at the line of scrimmage.