What Michigan State Football Needs to Do to Win the 2015 Big Ten Championship

Michigan State football is not garnering the same buzz as Ohio State or Michigan, but their consistent success in an improved Big Ten should not be overlooked.

The Spartans put a stake in the AT&T Stadium turf to stave off regression in their comeback win over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, likely earning themselves a high ranking heading into 2015. However, to hold the line, MSU will need to win from within this spring.

Michigan State's Big Ten Championship aspirations for 2015 were greatly aided by the returns of quarterback Connor Cook and defensive end Shilique Calhoun. Without them, MSU would not fit the mold of a contender in the loaded Big Ten East. 

That said, Cook and Calhoun cannot will this team to another title by themselves.

Michigan State has been praised for identifying recruits that fit its style—regardless of their recruiting rankings—and coaching them into well-rounded football players. This recipe will be put to the test this season, as MSU must replace several key players.

While Rant Sports' Jerry Landry points to halfback and receiver as the Spartans' biggest issues following the departures of running back Jeremy Langford and wide receiver Tony Lippett, that's not the case.

MSU will indeed be starting from scratch at RB without Langford and backup Nick Hill, and the recent arrest of leading returning rusher Delton Williams exacerbates this opening. However, even without Williams, the Spartans boast a bevy of capable ball-carriers in redshirt freshman Madre London, sophomore Gerald Holmes, redshirt freshman Gerald Owens and true freshman L.J. Scott.

The situation is similar at receiver, as Lippett and Keith Mumphery have graduated, and leading returning receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. is in hot water after an arrest. However, breakout candidates Aaron Burbridge, DeAnthony Arnett and AJ Troup are waiting in the wings, as well.

This collection of talent can make up for the loss of production—especially with a chef like Cook in charge of the kitchen.

The Spartans' biggest question mark actually looms over MSU's "No Fly Zone" following the departures of cornerback Trae Waynes, safety Kurtis Drummond and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi.

Although Waynes and Drummond earned All-Big Ten honors last season, MSU was already more vulnerable through the air with them than they were in 2013, surrendering 300 or more passing yards in losses to Oregon and Ohio State, and giving up 603 passing yards against Baylor.

In comparison, Spartan DBs didn't give up 260 passing yards in a single game in 2013.

Al Goldis/Associated Press/Associated Press

Eliminating these aerial attacks with a revamped secondary will require substantial leaps from players like junior CB Darian Hicks—who lost his starting job late last season—or it will require more consistent players to overtake him.

The latter outcome has been trending in spring camp, as junior Jermaine Edmondson and senior Arjen Colquhoun are honing in on a starting spot.

Although junior Demetrious Cox is a natural safety and played there at times this spring, head coach Mark Dantonio indicated to 247Sports' Mike Wilson that Cox will also be starting at corner with RJ Williamson and Montae Nicholson entrenched as the safeties.

"Montae Nicholson, [RJ] Williamson, Cox—those three guys have to be out there," he said.

Even if Hicks does manage to reclaim his job—his 83-yard interception return for a touchdown in MSU's first intrasquad scrimmage certainly helped his case—co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett says fans should expect two new cornerbacks this season.

"There's gonna be two new corners starting for Michigan State this year," Barnett said, via Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press. "I don't know who they are. They could be freshmen; they could be guys who are returning. But it won't be Darian Hicks from 2014. It'll be Darian Hicks from 2015. It'll be a new guy."

While a new secondary typically indicates rebuilding, the MSU defense's victory over the offense in the first scrimmage gives hope that these new guys could be up to the task.

The returns of Cook and an experienced offensive line ensure Michigan State will have an explosive offensive attack, but the Spartans can't score 40 points every game. Field position is key to championship drives, and if MSU wants to retake the wheel from OSU, they'll need their defensive backs to live up to their billings.

The Spartans have become a model of consistency under Dantonio, but that will lose its luster if they can't win the championship when the Big Ten is at its peak. Ohio State remains the roadblock between Michigan State and its destination, but getting past the Buckeyes will require MSU's best players to win their own battles first.

As long as the recipe hasn't changed, the ingredients are already in place. We'll find out soon if they have the drive to get there.