Big Ten Football: Picking the best season for each program since 2000
By Shane Lunnen
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 2013. Michigan State Spartans. player. Record: 13-1. 6. 805
Under the direction of head coach Mark Dantonio, the Michigan State Spartans had several successful seasons, including six years with at least 10 wins. The best of the bunch was the 2013 season.
The 2012 season was a disappointment at 7-6 for the Spartans, but their defense was ranked in the top 10 in several statistical categories including total defense and scoring defense. Sixteen starters would return for the 2013 campaign with all but two on offense coming back.
Sophomore quarterback Connor Cook would take over under center after Week 1 in the 2013 season and remained the starter the rest of the way. Running back Jeremy Langford would take over for the departed star Le’Veon Bell and ended up with over 1,400 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. The Spartans had a shutdown defense, especially the secondary.
Sparty began the season unranked and rattled off three victories against non-conference foes Western Michigan, South Florida and Youngstown State. Next up was a trip to South Bend and a date with 22nd ranked Notre Dame. The Irish would prevail in a close 17-13 decision on the strength of good defense and aided by several controversial calls. It would be the Spartans’ only loss of the season.
The Spartans would win the final eight regular season games. They would enter the rankings before the Michigan game in which they would dismantle the Wolverines 29-6. Michigan State would win the Big Ten Legends division easily by three games and face second ranked Ohio State in the Big Ten title game.
Michigan State would jump out to a 17-0 lead only to see it evaporate as Ohio State would score the next 24 points. The Spartans would control the fourth quarter and win 34-24, ending Ohio State’s national title dreams. It was Michigan State’s first outright Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth since the 1987 season.
In the 100th Rose Bowl game, fourth Michigan State edged fifth ranked Stanford 24-20. If not for the controversial loss to Notre Dame, the Spartans could have ended up in the BCS National Championship versus Florida State.
It was a great season for Sparty fans yet they were still left wondering what if.