2007 Michigan State Spartans Football Picks & Predictions


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Michigan State was one of the biggest disappointments in all of college football last season, blowing big leads in several games, and as a result head coach John L. Smith was fired. Mark Dantonio takes his place as a first year head coach at Michigan State and will have his hands full with only 13 returning starters. It could be a rebuilding season for the Michigan State which is not what Spartan fans want to hear.

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When Brian Hoyer signed with Michigan State four years ago, he figured he’d be throwing 40 passes per game. He has now adjusted those expectations to 20. Drew Stanton took over his job and should go on to be a successful NLF quarterback. Now it’s time for Hoyer to step up and make the most of his opportunity as the play caller. Mark Dantonio, a former Spartan assistant who coached the past three seasons at Cincinnati, brings with him a distinctly different offense. The spread formation is gone and the run-first philosophy gets implemented.

Javon Ringer, a junior averaging 6.3 yards per carry in his career, will be the feature back. Bruising back Jehuu Caulcrick will also see his time in short yardage situations and to spot Ringer when he needs a breather. Hoyer should have many opportunities to throw the deep ball. Go-to receiver T.J. Williams has game-breaking speed and tight end Kellen Davis is a vertical threat. The entire right side of the offensive line returns, but left tackle Mike Gyetvai is the key after missing all spring with surgery to release a nerve it his shoulder.

The Michigan State defense ranked 103rd nationally in sacks and last in the Big Ten in turnovers caused last year. They gave up more points than every conference team other than Indiana. But there is good reason to believe 2007 will be different because of defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi’s aggressive style and a young, talented secondary. Sophomores Ross Weaver, Jeremy Ware and Ashton Henderso, along with junior Kendell Davis-Clark man the cornerback spots. Trust Otis Wiley, the team’s top returning tackler, is a playmaker at safety. SirDarean Adams, a former safety, put on 15 pounds to take over at weakside linebacker.

Kaleb Thornhill must stay healthy at middle linebacker after battling shoulder and knee problems last season. Unproven sophomore Andrew Hawken or 197-pound freshman Jon Misch will start outside. The linebacker position is a big weakness and could get picked on by opposing quarterbacks and running backs this season. Ervin Baldwin returns at defensive end where he finished with four sacks last season. The problem will be at the tackle spot for Michigan State . Freshmen Antonio Jeremiah and Oren Wilson fit in the playing group and Justin Kershaw will move from the inside to defensive end. Opposing offenses should be able to run the ball at will against this inexperienced front seven.

After three consecutive losing seasons, the Spartan’ fans will be more than happy if Michigan State can even sniff a bowl game. But their schedule consists of seven 2006 bowl teams in the final nine games, so winning three straight at home to start the season is a must. Injuries to either the defensive or offensive line or even Hoyer at quarterback could ruin there season. No other quarterback on their offense has ever thrown a collegiate pass. Look for the Spartans to finish with another losing season and somewhere in the last three of the Big Ten conference in 2007.

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