2009 Michigan State Spartans Football Preview
2009 Michigan State Spartans season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Michigan State Spartans football preview as well as the 2009 Michigan State Spartans Football Schedule. Dont miss Maddux's free college football picks on the weekly college football odds from the #1 sports handicapping team.
Coach: Mark Dantonio (3rd year at Michigan State)
Team Name: Spartans
2008 Overall Record: 9-4
Returning Starters: 15
In 2008, the Michigan State Spartans (9- 4 overall, 6- 2 Big Ten) came in third in the conference and played the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Bowl, which they lost 12- 24. That was their second straight visit to a bowl game and the team’s second bowl loss in a row. This season, the Spartans have a fine shot at being bowl bound again.
The strength of this team has tended to be on defense and not offense. That will be the case again this season. The offensive line has some solid vets coming back but the right side is suspect. At quarterback, the Spartans will most likely go with the duo of sophomores Kirk Cousins (43 ATT, 32 COMP, 310 YDs, 1 INT, 2 TDs) and Keith Nichol. The running game will be without the NFL-bound Javon Ringer, who last season gained over 1,600 yards and garnered 22 touchdowns. Two inexperienced but talented sophomores, Andre Anderson (26 CAR, 97 YDs, 0 TD) and Ashton Leggett, will try to hustle for yards and points. There are other players on this unit who could also step up. At wideout, there are a bunch of capable pass catchers, including Mark Dell (36 REC, 679 YDs, 3 TDs), who averaged 18.9 YPR, and Blair White (43 REC, 659 YDs, 1 TD), who was good for 15.3 YPR.
The 41st ranked Michigan State defense held opponents to 21.1 PPG. Upfront, Trevor Anderson and Oren Wilson return to anchor that squad. Anderson was last season’s sack leader with eight. Two starters return to the linebacking unit—Greg Jones (127 TKLs, 2 SKs, 12 TFL) and Eric Gordon (85 TKLs, 3 SKs, 4.5 TFL), both now juniors, were one and two on tackles in 2008. Jones is one of the best LBs in the Big Ten. Eight guys with starting experience are in the secondary, including three with two interceptions each.
On special teams, there’s concern on the return teams due to a lack of experience and high-powered return guys. Senior placekicker Brett Swenson is a reliable point-manufacturing machine. Punter Aaron Bates is one of the best at his spot in the Big Ten, ably placing balls inside the 20-yard line.
Coach Mark Dantonio (16- 10 in two years at MSU) and his staff will welcome a deep and skilled incoming class and 14 returning starters. Last season, they opened versus California, losing 31- 38. Then they ran off six straight wins, lost to Ohio State, ran off three more wins and lost to Penn State in the final game of the season. This year, they get a break. First, they do not play the Buckeyes. Second, they do not play California. Key contests include the club’s September 19 visit to Notre Dame and the November 21 hosting of Penn State. On October 17, the Spartans have to be wary as Northwestern visits with a desire to create a major upset. Look for the Spartans to finish third and earn an invitation to a middle tier bowl game.
Michigan State Spartans Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Michigan St. | Montana St. | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Michigan St. | Cent. Michigan | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Michigan St. | Notre Dame | away | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Michigan St. | Wisconsin | away | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Michigan St. | Michigan | home | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Michigan St. | Illinois | away | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Michigan St. | Northwestern | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Michigan St. | Iowa | home | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Michigan St. | Minnesota | away | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Michigan St. | W. Michigan | home | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Michigan St. | Purdue | away | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Michigan St. | Penn St. | home |
For more info on the 2009 Michigan State Spartans football program, view their official website or read up on the rest of the Big Ten foes below.
