Michigan State Football Preview 2011
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio (5th season)
Location: East Lansing, MI
Stadium: Spartan Stadium
2010 Record: 11-2 (7-1)
Starters
QB Kirk Cousins 6-3, 202, Sr.
TB Edwin Baker 5-9, 208, Jr.
WR B.J. Cunningham 6-2, 223, Sr.
WR Keith Nichol 6-2, 222, Sr.
WR Keshawn Martin 5-11, 185
TE Garrett Celek 6-5, 247, Sr.
LT Jared McGaha 6-6, 292, Sr.
LG Joel Foreman 6-4, 310, Sr.
C Travis Jackson 6-3, 265, RFr.
RG Chris McDonald 6-5, 290, Jr.
RT Skyler Schofner 6-7, 305, RFr.
LE Tyler Hoover 6-7, 274, Jr.
DT Jerel Worthy 6-3, 305, Jr.
NT Anthony Rashad White 6-2, 320, Jr.
RE Wiliam Gholston 6-7, 265, So.
OLB Chris Norman 6-1, 225, Jr.
MLB Max Bullough 6-3, 240, So.
OLB Denicos Allen 5-10, 218, So.
CB Johnny Adams 5-11, 170, Jr.
FS Trenton Robinson 5-10, 195, Sr.
SS Isiah Lewis 5-10, 199, So.
CB Darqueze Dennard 5-11, 185, So.
PK Dan Conroy 5-10, 190, Jr.
P Mike Sadler 6-0, 177,
TB Edwin Baker 5-9, 208, Jr.
WR B.J. Cunningham 6-2, 223, Sr.
WR Keith Nichol 6-2, 222, Sr.
WR Keshawn Martin 5-11, 185
TE Garrett Celek 6-5, 247, Sr.
LT Jared McGaha 6-6, 292, Sr.
LG Joel Foreman 6-4, 310, Sr.
C Travis Jackson 6-3, 265, RFr.
RG Chris McDonald 6-5, 290, Jr.
RT Skyler Schofner 6-7, 305, RFr.
LE Tyler Hoover 6-7, 274, Jr.
DT Jerel Worthy 6-3, 305, Jr.
NT Anthony Rashad White 6-2, 320, Jr.
RE Wiliam Gholston 6-7, 265, So.
OLB Chris Norman 6-1, 225, Jr.
MLB Max Bullough 6-3, 240, So.
OLB Denicos Allen 5-10, 218, So.
CB Johnny Adams 5-11, 170, Jr.
FS Trenton Robinson 5-10, 195, Sr.
SS Isiah Lewis 5-10, 199, So.
CB Darqueze Dennard 5-11, 185, So.
PK Dan Conroy 5-10, 190, Jr.
P Mike Sadler 6-0, 177,
Michigan State fans were furious that they didn’t get a chance to play in a BCS game. After the drubbing they received from Alabama, maybe that was a good thing. Typically in years past, the Spartans have had good years, and followed them up with duds. Their goal is to prove to everyone that they have a program built for long term success and not one year wonders.
This team will ride and die with Kirk Cousins. He’s not spectacular and he doesn’t have elite skills, but he’s a big, nice-armed passer who should be second round draft pick if he has a big senior season. He has struggled at times in big games, but he will learn from his mistakes. He was one of the nation’s most efficient passers, spreads the ball around well, and is accurate on his midrange throws, and with Edwin Baker keeping defense’s honest, that is all he needs to be to throw 3,000 yards. The run game needs to step up. With the rotation of Baker, Bell and Caper should keep everyone fresh. The key is to make strong defenses like OSU, NW, Iowa, and Nebraska to play honest, and allow Cousins to play action and find the big play. MSU was one of the worst third down teams in Big Ten last year that needs to change. It will.
Their big question mark will be their defense. Jerel Worthy at times has had to be the big body in the middle. That will not be the case this year, with White next to him, and should be set loose to just make plays. He is a top 15 draft pick, and has a chip on his shoulder. He should have an All American type year. I think the big surprise player this year with be Darqueze Dennard. If MSU is going to beat ND in South Bend... He will need to have a big game.
Season Prediction:
Sep. 3 Youngstown State- MSU loves their cupcakes, wins big (W44-13) (1-0)
Sep. 10 Florida Atlantic- Their defense never gets tested wins (W31-10) (2-0)
Sep. 17 at Notre Dame- Two undefeated top 15 teams meet, and MSU continues to have ND’s number. (W 27-21) (3-0)
Sep. 24 Central Michigan – For the second year in a row, they sweep their nonconference schedule (W 35-17) (4-0)
Oct. 1 at Ohio State- Playing at the horseshoe is always tough, even with a less than OSU team. (L 20-13) (4-1)
Oct. 15 Michigan- MSU is home, but Hoke has this game drilled into his team. (L 28-24) (4-2)
Oct. 22 Wisconsin- MSU needs a win to keep their top 25 standing. They don’t get it. (L 24-14) (4-3).
Oct. 29 at Nebraska- MSU doesn’t want to be swept out of the month, yet can’t stop Taylor Martinez. (L 33-28) (4-4)
Nov. 5 Minnesota- with Michigan fans gloating, same old Spartans, Dantonio pulls out some hidden tricks to get the team back in winning circle. (W 31-20) (5-4)
Nov. 12 at Iowa – MSU needs to win here to have a shot at .500 in conference. They do. (W 13-10) (6-4)
Nov. 19 Indiana- MSU offense gets back on track. (W 45-23) (7-4)
Nov. 26 at Northwestern- This game is harder then in past years, but MSU takes care of business. (W 31-24) (8-4)
Sep. 10 Florida Atlantic- Their defense never gets tested wins (W31-10) (2-0)
Sep. 17 at Notre Dame- Two undefeated top 15 teams meet, and MSU continues to have ND’s number. (W 27-21) (3-0)
Sep. 24 Central Michigan – For the second year in a row, they sweep their nonconference schedule (W 35-17) (4-0)
Oct. 1 at Ohio State- Playing at the horseshoe is always tough, even with a less than OSU team. (L 20-13) (4-1)
Oct. 15 Michigan- MSU is home, but Hoke has this game drilled into his team. (L 28-24) (4-2)
Oct. 22 Wisconsin- MSU needs a win to keep their top 25 standing. They don’t get it. (L 24-14) (4-3).
Oct. 29 at Nebraska- MSU doesn’t want to be swept out of the month, yet can’t stop Taylor Martinez. (L 33-28) (4-4)
Nov. 5 Minnesota- with Michigan fans gloating, same old Spartans, Dantonio pulls out some hidden tricks to get the team back in winning circle. (W 31-20) (5-4)
Nov. 12 at Iowa – MSU needs to win here to have a shot at .500 in conference. They do. (W 13-10) (6-4)
Nov. 19 Indiana- MSU offense gets back on track. (W 45-23) (7-4)
Nov. 26 at Northwestern- This game is harder then in past years, but MSU takes care of business. (W 31-24) (8-4)
MSU struggles in October but overall ends the season with big wins at Iowa and at Northwestern. Their 8-4 record gets them a spot in the Insight Bowl where they meet Texas and defeats Texas in a shootout.
9 wins after the bowl game is a nice step after their 11 win season.
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