Michigan State Spartans Football: Why They Will Be Back in 2012

Following a very disappointing loss in the Big Ten championship game, the Spartans somewhat salvaged the season with a thrilling win against Georgia in the Outback Bowl.

The win sent perhaps the greatest senior class in Michigan State history out with a win and gave head coach Mark Dantonio his first bowl victory.

However, with the departure of three-year captain and senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, many people think the Spartans will have a letdown year next year.

This simply is not true.

Surely, Cousins' leadership will be missed by the Spartans. However, they reload the quarterback position with former four-star recruit Andrew Maxwell. Maxwell will be heading into his junior year next year and has very high expectations for both himself and the team.

In addition to Cousins, the Spartans lose the majority of their receiving core, including wide receivers BJ Cunningham, Keith Nicol, Keyshawn Martin and tight end Brian Linthicum.

Michigan State will fill these holes with sophomore Bennie Fowler and freshman Tony Lippet. In addition to these two, the Spartans signed the No. 1 wide receiver in the state of Michigan, four-star Aaron Burbridge.

Furthermore, former Tennessee wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett transferred to State just yesterday. The addition of the former Under Armour All-American, Arnett, will surely go a long way in Michigan State's passing game.

"Maxwell to Arnett...touchdown MSU!" is a phrase we will hear a lot of in the coming years.

The Spartans only lose one player off last year's offensive line, senior captain Joel Foreman. The last player lost from the offense is senior fullback Todd Anderson. This hole will hopefully be filled by former Catholic Central back Niko Palazeti.

The dual-threat run game of Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker will return next year. With their talents, the Spartans hope to have one of the best run games in the Big Ten. 

The Michigan State defense finished the year in the Top 10 of total defense. The scary part is, the Spartans return nine out of the 11 starters from that defense; that is, if defensive tackle Jerel Worthy declares for the NFL draft as he is expected to.

The defense will be led by juniors Max Bullough and William Gholston up front. The secondary loses free safety Trenton Robinson, but it should be okay returning corners Darqueze Dennard and Johnny Adams and safety Isaiah Lewis.

Michigan State looks to again have one of the best defenses not only in the Big Ten, but in the entire nation.

These certainly are exciting days in East Lansing.

Mark Dantonio has put together a program that will compete for Big Ten championships for years to come. Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has turned down a few offers already and appears to be staying on board Dantonio's staff.

The sky is the limit for next year's Michigan State Spartans.