Back-to-Back Winning Seasons & Bowl appearances Di Michigan State is back

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagley

When Mark Dantonio became in the new State of Michigan two years ago the football coach of the University, came to campus in East Lansing with a pedigree that screamed success is coming. He has not disappointed the Spartan faithful.

Michigan State had not Squat Diddly 1999 from his team went 10-2, struck Florida in the Citrus Bowl led the Big Ten in total defense and ranked 7th in the final polls. Times have changed in East Lansing. Diddly squat if it shows up from Dantonio has arrived is in a fight.

This is what Dantonio has done since his debut 55-18 victory against UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham):

Turn a program to lose a winning one by going 7-5 in his first season, and Michigan State get its first appearance in a bowl of 4 years. Despite being a loser 5 points as No. 14 ranked Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl, the Spartans only lost by a field goal, 24-21.

His last record 7-6 included a mark of 4-3 against teams bound for bowl, and the Spartans lost 6 games by a total of 31 points, including two in overtime. All 6 games were decided by 7 points or less. It's called defense.

With its 31-14 victory over fighting Irish of Notre Dame on the road in 2007, the Spartans became the first team to win 6-straight games in the 77-year history of Notre Dame Stadium.

Past years the continued progress as the Spartans was 9-3 in the regular season, beating Michigan and Notre Dame. They lost in California in their first game 38-31, took it on the chin 45-7 against No. 12 ranked Ohio State at home, and let No. 7-ranked Penn State take a 49-18 on the road in Happy Valley.

If they had beaten Penn State, which would been a part of the Big Ten. Michigan State 6-2 Big Ten record was its best since the 1999 season, and their 9 wins was only the 3rd time since 1966 (the year graduated from Michigan State) had won 9 games in a season. second step forward last season led the No. 19-ranked Spartans face off against No. 16 Georgia Bulldogs ranking in the Capital One Bowl; State lost 24-12. However, he ended the year with its second consecutive winning season (7-6 and 9-4)-su first back-to-back winning seasons in 19 years, and its second consecutive Bowl appearance-first back-to-back bowl appearances in 12 years.

That is what is called "do next."

Dantonio actually became prominent as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State, where his defensive unit helped the Buckeyes to a 32-6 record in 3 years, and the 2002 National Championship. In the championship, Ohio State was 2nd in scoring national defense (13 ppg) and 3rd in rushing defense (77 yards per game).

In reaching this season, Michigan State loses two Everybody older-Big Ten running back Javon Ringer and safety Otis Wiley, and returns all Big Be junior linebacker Greg Jones.

Saying ring left a hole in the ground game would be a gross understatement. He rushed for 1637 yards (that represent 97% of crimes by land from Michigan State) and earned a school record 22 touchdowns. Ringer, a consensus All-American, was selected by the Tennessee Titans of the NFL.

Ringer starting point will be a competitive battle that can only be won by either of the two outstanding freshmen Edwin Baker of Oak Park High School in Highland Park, and Larry Caper of Battle Creek Central Battle Creek. Baker is 5-9 and 200, and is 5-11 Caper and 215. Both are potentially explosive runners with some speed.

Replacing senior quarterback Brian Hoyer, a contradiction starter 2 years is also a problem. Sophomore Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol second red shirt have limited experience, appearing in only a combined total of 8 games.

All the big Ten young Greg Jones had 127 tackles last year, and is probably the best Big Ten linebacker. He must remain strong and healthy for Michigan State to compete again for the Big Ten.

The Spartan offense also rely heavily on kicker Brett Swenson (22 years field goals past, including a last minute game-winner in a weak offense) Blair White receivers Mark Dell and BJ Cunningham, tight end Charlie Gantt, guard Joel Foreman and center Joel Nitchman.

Dantonio two kinds of contracts should produce more new faces on the field this year. New faces better than the players they will replace. In their two biggest games of the season last year, Ohio State and Penn State, Michigan was not presented well and paid for it when Top 25 preseason coaches poll found absent.

Great coaches generally applauded the fact that the Spartans did not take a dive season last won many games that have been lost in previous years, but when the truth was, it remains at Ohio State and Penn State in the top of the stack.

What many reinforcements may have lost is the fact that Michigan State took a major step forward in the participation of bowl. Two years ago, had to settle for the Champs Sports Bowl and a payment of $ 2.25 million. Last year they moved to the Capital One Bowl and a payment of 4.25 million U.S. dollars. After the 5 BCS bowl games, Capital One Bowl is the highest paid and most prestigious of the other 34 bowl games played last season.

Michigan State's schedule is favorable this year. The Spartans get both Michigan and Penn State at home, and do not play Ohio State. They also play 1-AA Montana State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan. Unless can beat the last three teams and Michigan, which have nothing to go to a bowl game.

On a more positive note, while virtually all West of the Mississippi think Michigan State could not possibly run the table, there is at least one of Sparta in the state of Washington who thinks otherwise. Never underestimate what Mark Dantonio can achieve.

What if the Spartans beat Notre Dame, Michigan and the rest, and face Penn State at home with a mark of 11-0? That's why college football is so big. It could happen. The odds say it will happen, but rest assured that if Michigan State plays in a bowl BCS game this season, will be another giant step for Mark Dantonio and his Spartans.

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