2008 Michigan State Spartans


July 2, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Mark Dantonio led the Spartans to a 7-6 record and a trip to the Champs Sports Bowl last season, where they fought hard in a 24-21 setback against Matt Ryan Boston College.  This team overachieved just as much as Illinois last season, but that means there are now expectations in Spartan Country.  With one of the nation’s best running backs in Javon Ringer, the Spartans have a ground attack that ranks up there with the best the big ten has to offer.  The team at Info Plays gives you our 2008 Michigan State Spartans football predictions and a season preview below.

Offense:

Javon Ringer had one of the best seasons in school history last season, rushing for 1,447 yards while splitting carries with Jehuu Caulcrick.  But Caulcrick and his school-record 21 touchdowns are gone, so Ringer will be the featured back this season and should surpass 1,500 yards.  He’ll now get more carries in goal-line situations and become a bigger factor in the passing game.  But there will be carries to go around for junior A.J. Jimmerson and redshirt freshman Andre Anderson.  Ringer is a stud, but quarterback Brian Hoyer holds the keys to MSU’s season.

Hoyer played well in the regular season towards the end of the year with wins over Purdue and Penn State to get the Spartans to their first bowl game in four years.  But he committed five turnovers, including four interceptions to be the goat in a 3-point loss to Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl.  Hoyer will be operating behind a revamped offensive line and a new cast of receivers as Devin Thomas and tight end Kellen Davis are gone to the NFL.  Tackle Jesse Miller and guard Roland Martin are each three-year starters on the line.  But Rocco Cironi is new to protecting Hoyer’s blind side at left tackle.  Mark Dell caught 20 balls as a true freshman last year and recruit Fred Smith could be an instant-impact contributor in the passing game.

Defense:

Michigan State uses a more aggressive attack on defense last year, boasting 40 sacks and forcing 20 turnovers.  There’s a good chance those numbers will increase with better talent across the board.  Brandon Long had an impressive spring with great speed off the edge, and transfer Trevor Anderson has two years of starting experience in Cincinnati under his belt.  Tackle Justin Kershaw is the only returning starter up front, but big expectations loom large over sophomores Oren Wilson and Antonio Jeremiah.

Greg Jones moves to middle linebackers as the Spartans’ best defensive player.  Jones led MUS with 78 tackles as a true freshman and has the luxury of a speedy sidekick in Eric Gordon on the outside.  Ross Weaver, Kendell Davis-Clark, Chris L. Rucker and Ashton Henderson all have starting experience at cornerback, and junior Otis Wiley is their strong safety after an up-and-down ‘07.  Early enrollee freshmen Johnny Adams and Tyler Hoover should move into the lineup at some point at corner and defensive end, respectively.

Michigan State Spartans Predictions at Info Plays:  6th in the Big Ten

Mark Dantonio did enough in his first season to rejuvenate a fan base fractured by three consecutive losing seasons.  The Spartans have momentum on the recruiting trail and were in every game last year.  All six of their losses came by a touchdown or less, which is very impressive for a team with little expectations.  One came in overtime to Northwestern, while another came in double overtime.  The Spartans have an optimistic goal of a January 1st Bowl Game, but to finish in the top half of the Big Ten would be an accomplishment.

Related Articles You May Be Interested In:

Online Sports Betting at Sportsbook

Deposit Instantly Using Your Credit Card at Sportsbook.com!

Filed Under College Football