Spartan's '08; same as '07

One thing the media will harp on that is ridiculously off base:
I don't know what counts as "harping" [Yes you do, you wrote the question - ed.] but one thing that the media won't forget was Brian Hoyer seemingly singlehandedly losing the bowl game last year to Boston College. Not only will the media not forget that, but fans won't either. Hoyer will be under enormous pressure to shed his turnover prone ways and become more like Drew Stanton.

Stanton

After all, Stanton was the hugely (and incorrectly) moxified quarterback that led the Spartan attack (also incorrectly) during the 2006 season. He was largely treated kindly by the MSM and, IIRC, was predicted to be the best thing in the Big Ten during the '06 season by Herbstreit himself. For those keeping score at home, that was the year that Smith won the Heisman. Suffice to say, people thought Stanton was pretty darn good, and this year they're expecting Hoyer to be in that catagory.

What if I told you he already is?

To wit:

Stanton - '06

Games: 11
Attempts: 269
Completions: 164
Pct: 61%
Yards: 1807
Yards/Attempt: 6.7
INT: 10
TD: 12
Rating: 124.68
Yards/Game: 164.3

Hoyer - '07

Games: 13
Attempts: 376
Completions: 223
Pct: 59.3%
Yards: 2725
Yards/Attempt: 7.2
INT: 11
TD: 20
Rating: 131.88
Yards/Game: 209.6

Put that in the blender, and what do you come up with? Hoyer played 2 more games than Stanton did, but uh...yeah...statistically speaking, he was a better QB. The media and fans may be wishing for the days of Stanton, but they've got a better QB in Hoyer. Either Stanton wasn't that good, or Hoyer isn't getting credit. I lean somewhere in the middle - meaning I don't lean at all. Stanton wasn't that good, and Hoyer isn't that bad - but Spartan fans won't realize that. They'll just keep wistfully drifting back to the days when Drew Stanton was prowling the sideline, championing the offense, lapping up undue media attention, and generally leading the Spartans nowhere in particular. But boy - did he look good doing it.


Better than Stanton


One thing the media will completely ignore that is integral to this team's success:
Last season, the Spartans forged respectability in the face of a 3-5 conference record, and an 0-4 record against ranked teams. They almost sealed the deal against a good BC team in their bowl game, but came up about 5 turnovers short. The Spartans, in order shed the Same old Sparty label, must (MUST, I tell you!) win against ranked opponents, and win against conference opponents. Last season, in August/September, the Spartans were 4-1. In October, November, and December (you know, the games that are in conference, and a little tougher) they were 3-5. The Spartans have shown they can win against the Convents of Division 1. They need to show they can win against actual football teams. Beating Michigan this year would go a long way towards proving that point.

Most important contributors on each side of the ball:
Offense: As I alluded to in the preview, the 3 headed monster of Bri'Jahuu Ringcrick will have to come to play if the Spartans want to, you know, beat a football team. But the unit that is getting some mild attention in the off season, and the unit that directly impacts the perceived weakness at QB is that of the receiving corp. Mark Dell is the returning starter from that squad, and as such, he deserves special mention here. If the receivers are better, the QB is better, and that could put Michigan State in that "annoyingly dangerous" category into which we stuffed Illinois.

Defense: Greg Jones was a freshman linebacker who started all 13 games last season, and notched a team leading 78 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 8.5 TFL's. That was his freshman season. With natural progression, and D'Antonio's penchant for, you know, playing defense, he is going to be a monster this year.


Monster.

This from the USA Today:
LB Greg Jones could be on the verge of becoming a star. The sophomore played both outside and in the middle in Michigan State's spring game, but clearly looks more comfortable in the middle. He had 78 tackles as a freshman and is poised to take a big leap on a defense that could be much better than people expect.

Area that scares you as an opponent:
Greg Jones is legit. Bri'Jahuu Ringcrick should be much improved. I can't believe I'm saying it, but the Michigan State Spartans are actually a pretty good paper team this year, but paper's thin and can cut. We've been saying that Michigan State should be good for years. The area that scares me as an opponent is the area right between the Spartan's ears. If they can get out of the underachieving funk left by John L. and Bobby Williams, they could be a pretty legit team.

Area that makes you salivate as an opponent:
An oft overlooked stat in College Football is, IMO, the 3rd down conversion. How good is your squad at staying on the field? The Spartans? Not so good. They ranked 9th last season in the Big 10, converting just over 40% of their chances. If the Spartans can't sustain drives, they don't score points. And if they don't score points, they don't win games. Bring a stout defense, and the Spartans should be there for the taking.

Random factor that you think will come into play this season:
If they're going to make a legitimate run at a Big Ten title, or at least a respectable bowl game, this is the year to do it. Michigan should be down, the schedule isn't that tough, and Illinois proved last year that Ohio State is beatable - even in seemingly overwhelming circumstances. It's not a tangible factor, but the Spartans have to shake the S.O.S. (same old Sparty) mentality. If they're able to do that, a respectable New Years Day bowl is well within grasp.

Overall Record:
This, like Iowa, could be all over the place. I'm going with 8-4 with losses coming against OSU, @Michigan, Wisconsin, and @Penn State. You could substitute Michigan with Cal, but State is typically uncharacteristically good at the beginning of the season, with the meltdown occurring while ranked #13 in the 5th week.

Final Big Ten Record:
Well, those 4 losses I've got pinned put them at 4-4 in conference, fighting with Iowa for the 6th spot.

Bowl Destination
Michigan State has the tools to be playing post New Years, but until they prove me wrong, I'm saying they'll head to the Champs or Motor City.

Champ's got his nose in a book and his eye towards the golf course, so we're giving him a pass on MSU. He may weigh in, but in shortened version. He's also resting for the Michigan preview, which I'm sure will prompt the Heavenly Angels to break out a rousing rendition of Hail to the Victors.

UPDATE: So, uhhhhh, Caulcrick's not around next year. Do what Champ says, and insert "random big dude who runs freakin right at you really hard" wherever you see Caulcrick's name. I apologize.