How Will the Michigan State Spartans Perform in the Big Ten?

Do you remember last time Notre Dame visited Michigan State? Yeah, me neither; I tend to look past things like that, and I'm going to look past this weekend too.

Instead, I am going to look forward into the Big Ten season, and the possibility of the Spartans finishing third. There is no possibility of them leap frogging Ohio State or Wisconsin, but who else in the conference is much better?

Lets break down the Spartans.

Offense

Javon Ringer...enough said? Not quite. The Spartans offense is lacking what it needs, that one-two punch.

Who is there to back up Ringer if anything goes wrong, an injury, anything? Anderson? He has taken 14 carries to Ringers 104; there is not enough experience there if he has to take over.

What about the passing game? Hoyer is good, but looks a little shaky and inconsistent when throwing. That is obviously why Michigan State is going to concentrating on the ground game, obviously that is where their game excels.

Defense

The Spartans are a little beaten up on defense, but yet the secondary is going above expectations. The good news is that they can only get better, as injured players return.

A couple of bad plays almost cost them a 10-point deficit to Florida Atlantic, but they more than made up for it later. If they can come out strong, they can last the game. Keep your eye on Otis Wiley.

Coach Mark Dantonio has been preaching toughness to his team, to be physical and play hard to the end. The Spartans have been way too soft over the last couple of seasons. They need to finish their tackles, hit hard, and hit the ground running.

Michigan State is going to have to defeat the Irish this weekend to prove they are going to do well in the Big Ten. A win will show us they have what it takes to finish in that third position and go to a good bowl game. A loss might show them only capable of being maybe fifth, and in the mix for a bowl game.

The Spartans have looked good and let us down in the past. Let's hope this season's toughness shows us a turnaround.