2015 B1G Conference Pre-Season Preview: Michigan State Spartans

2015 B1G Conference Pre-Season Preview

Michigan State Spartans (East Division)

Location: East Lansing, MI

Stadium: Spartan Stadium (72,027)

Coach: Mark Dantonio (9^th year): 75-25 at MSU/93-48 overall, 45-22 v B1G

2014 Michigan State Spartans (11-2)(7-1)               2015 Michigan State Spartans

45        Jacksonville State                      7                    S4        at Western Michigan (Friday)

27        at Oregon                                46                    S12      Oregon

73        Eastern Michigan                    14                    S19      Air Force

56        Wyoming                                 14                    S26      Central Michigan

27        Nebraska                                 22                    O3       Purdue

45        at Purdue                                31                    O10     at Rutgers

56        at Indiana                                17                    O17     at Michigan

35        Michigan                                 11                    O24     Indiana

37        Ohio State                               49                    N7        at Nebraska

37        at Maryland                            15                    N14      Maryland

45        Rutgers                                      3                    N21      at Ohio State

34        at Penn State                           10                    N28      Penn State

42        Baylor                                      41

            (Cotton Bowl)

            When Mark Dantonio took over in 2007, MSU was coming off of three straight losing seasons and were last ranked in 1999.  Dantonio promptly turned the Spartans around; in his eight seasons, they have been to seven bowl games and finished ranked in the top 25 five times. 

The Spartans have never been known as “Quarterback U”, but was one of three schools (the others being USC and Purdue) to have at least three of their quarterbacks on NFL rosters.  (Drew Stanton, Brian Hoyer, and Kirk Cousins).  This year’s senior quarterback, Connor Cook will join them next year.  Cook had an outstanding year in 2014, leading the conference in passing.  He completed over 58 percent of his throws for 3214 yards and 24 touchdowns against only eight interceptions and he was just named to this year’s Walter Camp Award watch list.  Cook will lose his two favorite targets from last year, Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphrey, but returns 2014 starter senior Aaron Burbridge at on WR slot.  Playing opposite Lippett, Burbridge still managed an impressive 29 catches for 358 yards.  Macgarrett Kings also saw lots of experience in 2014, hauling in 29 catches for 404 yards as he is their leading returning receiver and they have high hopes he can pick up where Lippett left off.  TE Andrew Gleichert is gone, but they return junior Josiah Price (26 receptions/374 yards, 6 TDs).  Also adding depth to the TE position are senior Paul Lang, sophomore Dylan Chmura, and redshirt freshman Matt Sokol.  Although less experienced at this position, this group should still be very productive.  The Spartans are faced with the daunting task of replacing 1500-yard rusher Jeremy Langford.  The offensive coaching staff have penciled in redshirt freshman Madre London at the spot after spring drills.  Look for the competition at the RB position to be the biggest story in August as MSU also has another redshirt freshman, Gerald Owens, and true freshman LJ Scott.  Senior Trevon Pendleton, at 250 pounds, adds a straight-ahead running dimension when MSU uses a fullback.  It will be tough to find consistency in the beginning, but given Coach Dantonio’s track record in the running game, look for the Spartans to improve in their running game as the season progresses.  The offensive line loses second team conference selection Travis Jackson at left guard and Connor Kruse at RG, but four out the five positions return players with experience.  Senior center Jack Allen earned a mention on the USA Today All-American teams.  His classmate, Donovan Clark is back at RG as well as the two junior tackles, Kodi Kieler and Jack Conklin, while sophomore Brian Allen will take over at the other guard spot.  The Spartans probably have the best offensive line in the conference and one of the top units in the country.

                                              QB Connor Cook

The Spartans aren’t lacking on the defensive line either as three of the four starters from last year return, highlighted by DE senior Shilique Calhoun, who was up for B1G defensive lineman of the year.  With 13 tackles for loss and eight sacks among his 39 tackles, Calhoun will continue to spell trouble for opposing offensive lines, as well as his fellow classmate and bookend, Lawrence Thomas (4.5 tfl/3 sacks).  Senior Joel Heath (29 tackles, 5 tfls, 2.5 sacks) returns at the DT slot and sophomore Malik McDowell (15 tackles, 4.5 tfl, 1.5 sacks) figures to take the NT position.  As is the case with their offensive line, MSU will have one of the top D-line units in the conference and the nation.  Experienced senior linebackers Ed Davis and Darien Harris return at the outside positions.  Davis, the fourth-leading tackler on the team last year with 58 tackles, showed his pass rushing ability on numerous occasions in 2014, picking up 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks, while Harris showed his quickness (48 tackles) in running down ball carriers and his play-making ability with an interception, fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.  Riley Bullough moved from RB to OLB last year.  This year, he has bulked up and will move to the MLB position.  Despite the loss of their top tackler from a year ago, this linebacker unit looks to be just as strong as last year.  The secondary looks to rebuild a little after losing first team All-B1G Kurtis Drummond and Trae Waynes, but they have experienced senior RJ Williamson who moves over to take Drummond’s spot.  Third on the team in tackles with 59, Williamson also had three interceptions.  Junior Darian Hicks also returns at a cornerback spot (28 tackles and two interceptions), while junior Demetrious Cox looks to have locked down the other corner position while sophomore Montae Nicholson, after a solid freshman season (31 tackles) is the favorite at SS.  This secondary is still solid, but may slip a little due to so much talent departing.

                                                          DE Shilique Calhoun

Michigan State surprisingly slipped a little in their special teams last year.  Michael Geiger was nearly automatic in 2013, but slipped to 14/22 last year.  However, he figures to bounce back this year, while redshirt freshman Jake Hartbarger figures to take over the punting chores.  Macgarrett Kings has been one of the nation’s top punt return specialists the past two seasons and he will continue to be a dangerous threat in that area in 2015.  Junior RJ Shelton averaged 25.2 yards on kickoff returns and he figures to repeat those numbers this year. 

With fourteen starters returning, an experienced QB in Connor Cook, and a more veteran defense (seven returning starters), the Spartans will again challenge for B1G supremacy.  They get a return game with Oregon at home, however, have to face Nebraska, Michigan, and Ohio State on the road, which seems to be the only downer for a team that looks to be stronger than last year.

2015 Projection: 10-2 (7-1) 2^nd in B1G East Division