Mark Dantonio has definitely changed the culture of Michigan State football, but is it here to stay? Last year had that kind of “it’s now or never” feel to it because the 2015 Spartans were led by a group of very talented seniors having their last hurrah. It did bring about another milestone for the program, as State finally had their seat at the big boy table, having their national championship outcome right in their own hands.
Obviously, the end result was atrocious, but that don’t let that sell short all that they accomplished in order to get there. 2016 is a very intriguing cross roads season for the program. Does Michigan State football become an Ohio State or Alabama, were they jsut simply reload instead of rebuild?
Or do they take a step back and eventually MSU becomes a “basketball school” again? One thing’s for sure- Dantonio will never let this program lapse down to the Bobby Williams, John L. Smith eras. The days of starting 5-1 and finishing 7-5 seemingly every year are now over.
This upcoming fall will almost certainly see a step down, but it won’t be as big of a step down as you might think. At least not if the preseason college football publications are accurate. Lindy’s says State will finish third in the Big Ten East, and #22 in the nation. Not bad, but not with the same sizzle as the past couple years. Under “good news” they write “the L.J. Scott ground game will be strong; defensive front seven will be wicked.”
Under bad news it says “we’re looking at a likely drop-off at QB. Spartans will miss noted non-captain Connor Cook.“
For “Our call” it reads “the culture here is all about physicality and – what’s that word again? – winning. MSU is in fine shape.”
We’re just 18 days away from Big Ten Media Days. If you’re watching along on BTN, your Michigan State football drinking games will be “culture,” “physicality” and mentions of how Cook is gone and wasn’t the captain of the team. Athlon sports ranked all 128 FBS starting QBs, and Cook’s heir apparent, Tyler O’Connor, came in 58th.
Now might be the time for a great sidebar, and the perfect chance to bring up Earl Morrall, “the last of the crew cuts.” Morrall was MSU’s last QB selected in the first round, a very long time ago.
(see 2:10 mark in the video below)
And since we brought up Athlon already, they have MSU finishing third in the East, 9-3, 7-2 in league play. The publication slots Sparty to the Citrus Bowl vs Ole Miss. In their top 25, they rank Michigan State #13, so substantially higher than Lindy’s. They do have one Michigan State football player on their preseason All-American team, DL Malik McDowell on the first team. OL Brian Allen checks in with the All-American third team.
All in all, there’s a significant amount of things to be positive about.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram