A New Swagger in East Lansing, Can They "Sparty On" In 2009 ?

Coming off an impressive 9-3 regular season, can the Spartans duplicate their success of 2008 again in 2009 ? To answer the question, yes, they can.

With the departure of star running back Javon Ringer and QB Brian Hoyer, the Spartans are far from drained of fire power in the offensive department. With emerging favorite in East Lansing, Blair White, returning, along with Mark Dell, B.J. Cunningham, and TE Charlie Gantt, look for MSU to "air out" this season.

Sporting two highly touted quarterbacks battling for the starting role, their shouldn't be any dissappointment to Spartan fans if either Keith Nichol or Kirk Cousins wins the job. Nichol, a native of Lowell, Michigan, transfered from Oklahoma where he backed up Sam Bradford, who later won the Heisman Trophy (2008).It doesn't hurt when you have two prep stars like Edwin Baker and Larry Caper carrying the ball, both highly recruited amongst Big Ten schools, and with an above average O-line blocking for them, it would not surprise me to see one of them have a "Javon-esque" campaign in 2009. No fear State fans, Javon is gone, but it's a new era of "thunder and lightning". Although Big Ro ( Roland Martin ), and Jesse Miller have moved on to greener pastures, the running game of Michigan State should be nothing less than explosive. When it's all said and done, you can add Caper and Baker to list of great Spartan running backs ; Sedrick Irvin, Javon Ringer, Jehuu Caulcrick, Lorenzo White, Duane Gouldbourne, and of course the Ducketts at FB.

With Greg Jones leading the way on defense, the 2008 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is amped up for yet another "smashing" season.  " I always want to improve," Jones said, " I don't want to take any steps back. I know the other team is always going to be looking out for me. " Leading the Green in tackles last year with 127, he will be having opposing players shaking underneath their UnderArmour. Combined with the big play ability of Adam Decker, and Eric Gordon, the Spartan Linebacking will be a force to reckon with in 2009.

Look for Michigan State to be in the mix with the likes of Ohio State and Penn State for Big Ten Supremacy... who knows, maybe even a Rose Bowl. My Predicition 7-1, 6-2 Big Ten Conference play.