The Spartans proved again they can compete in the Big Ten East Division, but Dantonio must prove it all over again. An ESPN OTL investigation made several allegations about the program’s handling of sexual assaults, but Dantonio denied those claims after dismissing three players in an off-campus incident last offseason. Interim president John Engler supports Dantonio moving forward.
MORE: Big Ten early conference primer
It’s an indication the Spartans will be under the microscope this season, both on and off the field. Michigan State is ranked 13th in Sporting News’ updated way-too-early top 25, and quarterback Brian Lewerke leads an experience team capable of making another run in the division.
Here’s an early look at the Spartans:
Michigan State schedule 2018
Michigan State football recruiting 2018
Michigan State’s 2018 recruiting class 32nd according to 247Sports’ Composite team rankings. Dantonio thrives on developing three-star talent, so this isn’t a big deal. Four-star cornerback Kalon Gervin (Cass Tech, Detroit) is the highest-ranked player in the class, and a pair of high school teammates from Pickerington Central (Ohio) High School in tight end Trenton Gillison and athlete Xavier Henderson will be exciting down the line. It’s a solid class.
MORE: NCAA misses mark on Notre Dame
Michigan State roster 2018
Michigan State’s football roster will be updated in the spring. Last year’s roster can be seen here.
What to watch in 2018:
- Will Lewerke, Scott go next level?
Michigan State thrives with steady quarterback play and a bruising running game, and it has strength at both positions in 2018. Brian Lewerke might be Dantonio’s most distinctive quarterback yet: He finished with 2,793 passing yards with 20 touchdowns to seven interceptions last year, adding 559 rushing yards and five touchdowns. If Lewerke continues on that curve, he could work into the fringe Heisman conversation. Leading 2017 rusher LJ Scott (898 yards, eight touchdowns) also decided to return to school.
- Will solid receivers turn into stars?
Hunter Rison and Trishton Jackson transferred in the offseason, perhaps because the Spartans have three solid options at the top of their receiving corps. Felton Davis III (776 yards, nine touchdowns), Darrell Stewart Jr. (501 yards, two touchdowns) and Cody White (490 yards, four touchdowns) gave Lewerke consistent targets in the passing game. The Spartans could use more out of the tight end spot, where Matt Sokol figures to start. This should be a balanced offense, but it needs to put up more than the 24.5 points per game it produced in 2017.
- Who lets the Dawgs out?
The “Spartan Dawgs” allowed 20.3 points per game last season, which ranked 23rd in the FBS. Defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett took the same position at Florida State, so Mike Tressel takes over coordinator duties. There’s continuity there, and former Michigan State assistant Don Treadwell is back on staff with the defensive backs. Most of the key pieces on defense are back, including leading tackler Joe Bachie and defensive end Kenny Willekes, who led the Spartans in sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (13) last year.
