Irony is a fickle friend. Finally, we're at a point where we can buy on Michigan State just as Kirk Cousins has left for the Washington Redskins to back up Ol' Bobby Bob Bob Babaloo Griffin Number Treso Queso (author's note: if we're not calling him that as yet, give it a couple days), leaving MSU with a huge question mark at QB.
2012 Program Preview - Michigan St.
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So how to gauge Michigan State? More talented than before but without their helmsman, this season is perhaps the best referendum on Mark Dantonio since taking over for John L. Smith (see EDSBS for the insert joke here portion) in 2007. The defense is still stacked, despite seeing Jerel Worthy drafted by the Packers.
The Spartans haven’t recruited up to the level of some other Big Ten teams. Nevertheless, they’ve played at a top level. With the QB turnover and the strength of their defense, Michigan State is as interesting a team as there is in the country.
After the jump, the prospects worth noting as well as some games and matchups to pencil into your calendar.
References
The only Colors (SB Nation Michigan State community), Off Tackle Empire (SB Nation conference community), SB Nation Detroit, SB Nation team page, official team site, Bill Connelly’s preview for SBN
Notable offensive prospects
| Name | POS | Yr. | Early projected Rd (notes) |
| Chris McDonald | G | RS Sr. | 6 |
| Fou Fonoti | OT | Sr. | 6 |
| Le'Veon Bell | RB | Jr. | 6 |
| Nate Klatt | C | RS Jr. | UD |
| DeAnthony Arnett | WR | Soph. | N/A (transferred from Tennessee; will play in 2012) |
Notable defensive prospects
| Name | POS | Yr. | Early projected Rd (notes) |
| Johnny Adams | CB | RS Sr. | 2 |
| Anthony White | DT | Sr. | 5 |
| Tyler Hoover | DE | RS Sr. | 7 |
| Chris Norman | OLB | Sr. | UD |
| William Gholston | DE | Jr. | 2-3 |
| Max Bullough | MLB | Jr. | 2 |
| Isaiah Lewis | SS | Jr. | 5 |
| Denicos Allen | OLB | RS Jr. | 6 |
| Darqueze Dennard | CB | Jr. | UD |
| Marcus Rush | DE | RS Soph. | 3 |
| Kurtis Drummond | FS | RS Soph. | 7 |
| Taiwan Jones | OLB | Soph. | N/A |
Summary
The defense is still the class of the team here. Not to say the offense wasn't good last year, but they were outperformed by a defense that supplied talent at all four levels. The obvious question is how Andrew Maxwell plays as the Spartans' new QB. If he can't get the inexperienced WR corps on track with some tough early games, it could derail MSU's hopes of a second consecutive Big Ten Championship berth.
Key games
Boise State (home) - Week 1 (Fri., Aug. 31 - 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Notre Dame (home) - Week 3 (Sat., Sep. 15 - 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC)
These two non-conference matchups loom large for Michigan State not just because of the class of opponent, but also because of the timing. Dantonio is hardly unaware.
Boise opened their 2011 season against Georgia in the Georgia Dome with a huge over a SEC team that would go on to make their conference championship. A year later, they’ll travel to East Lansing to face a Michigan State team that has similar championship aspirations.
Notre Dame delivered a week 3 loss to the Spartans last season. Certainly, MSU will be keen to avenge that loss on their home turf. With Michigan State starting Big Ten play just two weeks after this game in a huge Ohio State tie, a win here could set them up for the conference run Spartan fans are hoping for.
Michigan (away) - Week 8 (Sat., Oct. 20 - TBD)
I’ll just refer you, dear reader, to my Michigan preview. This one’s for all the Paul Bunyans.
Key matchups
QB Andrew Maxwell v. Boise St. CBs Jamar Taylor & Jerrell Gavins, Week 1 - Fri., Aug. 31
Maxwell will get an early test against Boise’s experienced corners who both missed significant time in 2011 due to injury. They should provide a healthy duo to gauge Maxwell’s readiness in 2012.
DE William Gholston v. Michigan OT Taylor Lewan, Week 8 - Sat., Oct. 20
I’ve got some issues with Gholston’s game. I know several experts have him round 1 at this point, but I’m not nearly that high on him. He tends to overplay his footwork, and his jump off the snap last year was just poor. That being said, he does recognize space well and moves very fluidly for someone his size. I’m hoping he lines up at RDE to face off against Lewan in Ann Arbor this year.
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