The offensive line is huge, running back Javon Ringer is special, the receivers—while inexperienced—are fast, and quarterback Brian Hoyer is a good veteran who won't get much publicity because he isn't fancy.
The defense has the potential to be fantastic, with Cincinnati transfer Trevor Anderson likely to be as good as, or better, than departed defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic. Future draft pick Otis Wiley appears to be home at strong safety after struggling the first part of last year at free safety.
The defensive front seven, led by linebacker Greg Jones, is fast and will get to the ball in a hurry.
Mark Dantonio has the blend of speed and power that he needs, and now the close wins have to start going Sparty’s way. All six of Michigan State’s losses last season came by seven points or fewer. Veteran, confident teams win the close games, and this year’s Spartan team is more experienced and more confident. Most of all, they’re better.
While it might take more than one year to become a true Big Ten Championship contender, there are enough pieces in place to cause some problems for the Buckeyes, who must travel to Spartan Stadium.
Big 12
Most pundits have already placed Missouri and Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. But as Lee Corso would say...not so fast, my friend. My Big 12 sleeper will get both of those teams back to back: Missouri at home and Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.
That’s right, my sleeper pick is the Texas Longhorns. Texas has never exactly been known as a tough, punch-you-in-the-face, nasty program that’s willing to get its hands dirty. But they are known for being ridiculously talented, and Austin has basically been an NFL farm system for years.
Something clicked on December 27, 2007. When Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter started the trash talking, the Texas powder keg was lit. A jacked-up Texas team ran for 300 yards on the Sun Devils in a 52-34 rout, and the defense treated Carpenter like a rag doll.
The Longhorns suddenly seemed to realize that if they combined a nasty edge with all-star talent, big things could happen.
New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will crank the aggression factor up to 11. If there was any question about the defense being aggressive, edgy, and physical before, it will now certainly be answered.
The offense quietly finished 13th in the nation in yards and 14th in scoring. Even with huge losses at running back (Jamaal Charles) and in the receiving corps (Limas Sweed, Nate Jones, and tight end Jermichael Finley), the production should keep on coming with promising replacements at the skill spots and a strong, veteran line that should be even better after a decent 2007.
Conducting the show is the underappreciated Colt McCoy, who's one of the Big 12's better quarterbacks but gets lost in the shuffle. The receiving corps includes senior Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley, but it will rely on the expected contributions by speedsters DeSean Hales and Antoine Hicks, as well as Dan Buckner, who may have the best hands on the team.
If the Longhorns can play with the same edge they showed against the Sun Devils in last season’s bowl game, they may surprise more than a few people and end up in a rematch with Missouri for the Big 12 crown.
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