Plenty of veterans return for a promising 2015-16 Michigan State Spartans season. Quarterback Connor Cook returns for his senior year despite being touted as a potential first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Michigan State’s defensive line remains one of the best in the country with returning star Shilique Calhoun.
Can the Spartans race to the top of the college football landscape? Read on as we take a look at Michigan State’s season to come.
Get in on the early college football craze with our team previews for two of last year’s playoff teams the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]2015-16 Michigan State College Football Preview
Overview
The Michigan State Spartans are underrated contenders for this year’s College Football Championship even by fielding several key veterans this season. They’re +2,500 to win the national championship considering they get past the tough Big 10 conference. Ohio State is the favorite to defend its Big 10 title with Michigan State a few steps behind at +750.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Senior quarterback Connor Cook returns in his third year as a starter after leading the Big Ten in passing yards (3,214) last season. But he’ll need veteran wide receivers Aaron Burbridge and R.J. Shelton to show noticeable improvement with 2014’s Big Ten Receiver of the Year Tony Lippett now gone.
The Spartans also lost a strong running back in Jeremy Langford, who rushed for 1,500 yards last season. However, Michigan State still has an elite defense to fall back on led by its imposing defensive line with former Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Shilique Calhoun, Lawrence Thomas, defensive tackles Damon Knox and Joel Heath and Freshman All-American Malik McDowell.
Key Player – Connor Cook
All eyes will be on Cook as the Spartans’ signal caller starts in his senior year at Michigan State. Cook continued to grow into his role as his team’s main quarterback by passing for over 6,000 yards and 46 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He’ll have an advantage of being protected by one of the best offensive lines this season with Senior All-American Jack Allen at center and a potential future first round NFL draft pick left tackle Jack Conklin.
Despite having a new receiving corps, Cook still has one of his favorite third-down and red-zone targets in tight end Josiah Price. The veteran tight end has caught 584 yards and 10 touchdowns in his collegiate career. Price may even have a bigger role as one of Cook’s main weapons in this upcoming season.
With almost a brand new set of wideouts, expect the pressure to be high on Cook to keep his team competitive in the loaded Big 10 conference.
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Key Game – at Ohio State (November 21)
The Spartans have a big test right out of the gates against last season’s runners-up in the Oregon Ducks in Week 2. But their biggest game of the season comes much later on in a road game against the defending national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Spartans measure up to one of the nation’s top teams in Ohio State. A victory over the defending national champions should give Michigan State plenty of ammunition to campaign for a spot in the College Football Playoff, especially if they also won their Week 2 matchup against last year’s runners-up.
Best/Worst Case Scenario for the Season
Best Case
Cook plays stellar behind his excellent offensive line, Calhoun and the rest of the defense tighten up, and the Spartans defeat Oregon and Ohio State as they go unbeaten in the regular season. With two big victories under its belt, Michigan State enters the College Football Playoff as the top seed.
Worst Case
The Spartans suffer an early loss to Oregon as the receiving corps still attempts to figure itself out. They then take one or two more losses to Michigan and/or Ohio State much later into the season. Michigan State finishes with a 9-3 record and misses the College Football Playoff altogether.
Complete Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 4 | at Western Michigan | 7:00 PM ET |
| Saturday, September 12 | vs Oregon | 8:00 PM ET |
| Saturday, September 19 | vs Air Force | 12:00 PM ET |
| Saturday, September 26 | vs Central Michigan | TBD |
| Saturday, October 3 | vs Purdue | 12:00 PM ET |
| Saturday, October 10 | at Rutgers | 8:00 PM ET |
| Saturday, October 17 | at Michigan | TBD |
| Saturday, October 24 | vs Indiana | TBD |
| Saturday, November 7 | at Nebraska | TBD |
| Saturday, November 14 | vs Maryland | TBD |
| Saturday, November 21 | at Ohio State | TBD |
| Saturday, November 28 | vs Penn State | TBD |
Writer’s Prediction
Michigan State wins the Big 10 (+750) and makes an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
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