2009 Michigan State Football Predictions
The Michigan State Spartans are coming off a 9-4 2008 campaign which included a 6-2 Big Ten mark. While the Spartans lose Ohio State, which crushed them 45-7 last year, from their 2009 schedule, they will have to go to war without star running back Javon Ringer and that figures to keep them just out of title contention. Find out where I have Sparty finishing in this 2009 college football betting preview. Michigan State is listed at +10,000 to with this season’s BCS championship.
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Offense – Losing Javon Ringer hurts the Michigan State offense without question. Ringer accounted for nearly 97 percent of Michigan State’s net rushing yards last season. He was a workhorse, carrying 390 times compared to just 43 carries by all other Spartan running backs last season. Sophomore Ashton Leggett leads a group of running backs that will try to fill his big shoes. Leggett is a bruiser while guys like Andre Anderson and Caulton Ray are more elusive. Also, we could see some carries from highly regarded freshmen Larry Caper and Edwin Baker. Ringer was a little bit of everything, but no back currently on the roster seems as versatile. That means the running back position will have to share more carries this season. The Spartans lost steady quarterback Brian Hoyer as well. Sophomores Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol are neck and neck in their battle to take over under center. Just to give you an idea of how close this race is, both quarterbacks threw for exactly 357 yards and four scores in the spring game. Don’t be surprised if Mark Dantonio uses a two-QB system early on to see who emerges as the better starter. We also can’t expect to see the Spartans quite as effective on the ground because the line is in rebuilding mode after losing its right side.
Defense – The Spartans return eight starters from a unit which allowed 22.1 points per game last season (41st nationally). More improvement is expected as the team looks set up nicely to stop the run better than they did a season ago. Defensive end Trevor Anderson returns following an eight-sack season and nosetackle Oren Wilson is back to clog up running lanes inside. The linebacker unit looks to be the strength of the Spartan defense with middle man Greg Jones leading the way. The all-league performer recorded a ridiculous 127 tackles last season. This linebacker unit is one of the speediest in the league. The secondary loses all-league safety Otis Wiley, but eight defensive backs return with starting experience. You should see Michigan State defend the pass better this season too. They ranked just seventh in the conference in pass efficiency defense in 2008.
Prediction: 4th Big Ten – A lot of talent remains on the Michigan State roster, but after losing Ringer, Hoyer, and a good chunk of the offensive line, I expect a small step backwards. But don’t worry State fans, Dantonio could have the Spartans right back in the hunt for a league title as soon as next year. Michigan State is listed at +550 to win the Big Ten.
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