Aug. 27, 2008

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio enters his second season in East Lansing with high hopes in continuing to turn this Spartan program around. In his first year, Dantonio guided MSU to the Champ Sports Bowl and a 7-6 overall record -- its first winning season since 2003. Sixteen starters return for the 2008 campaign, but MSU will need to fill voids left by impressive offensive and defensive standouts Devin Thomas (WR) and Jonal Saint Dic (DE), respectively. Thomas caught a school-record 79 passes, led the Big Ten in receptions (7.38) and all-purpose yards (204.1) per game, and was a second-round NFL Draft pick for the Washington Redskins. Saint Dic was a dominant pass rusher in 2007 with 10 sacks and also lead the league with eight forced fumbles.

Dantonio likes challenges and the 2008 schedule presents what is perhaps his greatest one. History has shown that Michigan State has been quick out of the gate only to struggle in the second half of the season. In the last three years, the Spartans have gone 11-1 in the first four games of the season and then 9-19 for the rest of the slate. Early wins are a must in 2008 as the back half of the conference schedule will be one of the toughest in the league. From mid-October on, MSU welcomes Ohio State, travels to Michigan, hosts Wisconsin and Purdue, takes a bye, and then closes out at Penn State. Add that to a season-opening road contest at California and its annual battle versus Notre Dame, Michigan State faces quite the challenging schedule this season.

BIG TEN TONIGHT in East Lansing Talking with Dantonio (7:38) | Inside Run Drills (11:26)

OFFENSE: Despite the departure of Thomas, Michigan State returns its quarterback and running back, as well as five other starters, to an offense that ranked second in the conference in 2007 with 33.1 points per game. Senior signal caller Brian Hoyer threw for 2,275 yards and 20 touchdowns last season and will be looked upon to guide the offense this season with minimal mistakes. Senior Javon Ringer was a second-team All-Conference selection last year and returns to handle the pigskin more than he ever has in the past. Ringer rushed for 1,447 yards (5.9 ypc) last year and was the Spartans' second-leading receiver with 35 receptions. When Ringer needs a breather, expect a handoff to junior A.J. Jimmerson. Sophomore Mark Dell and senior Deon Curry will be the primary receivers this year. Dell scored a touchdown on two of his 20 receptions from a year ago that amounted to 220 yards, while Curry hauled in a respectable 24 passes. Sophomore Charlie Gannt will play the role of tight end in 2008. Only the right side of the line is without a returning starter, but leave it to Joel Nitchman (C), Roland Martin (RG) and Jesse Miller (RT) to help bring Rocco Cironi (LT) and Mike Bacon (LG) along.

DEFENSE: Only one starter returns to a defensive line that rated fourth in rush, pass and total defense in the Big Ten last year. That starter is senior tackle Justin Kershaw, and he will not only be expected to lead the Spartans in the trenches, but help mentor sophomore Oren Wilson (NT), junior Trevor Anderson (DE) and senior Brandon Long (DE) in their new starting roles. Sophomore linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon return after posting 78 and 62 tackles, respectively in 2007. Junior Brandon Denson is expected to be the third linebacker. Senior strong safety Otis Wiley picked off four passes last year and returned them for an average of 19.2 yards. Senior defensive back Kendall Davis-Clark broke up eight passes last year and added 72 tackles and four sacks. Ross Weaver returns to his starting role after missing an entire season due to injury and junior Roderick Jenrette gets the call at free safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Brett Swenson is back as a starter, but consistency will be stressed this year as he made just 15 of his 22 field goal attempts as a junior. Sophomore Aaron Bates averaged 39.5 yards per punt last season, which ranked ninth overall in the Big Ten. Look for A.J. Jimmerson and Mark Dell to return kicks and punts, respectively, as the Spartans look for a new replacement for the departed return threat Devin Thomas. Last year Thomas led the league with an average of 29.1 yards per kickoff return. But MSU also averaged only 4.1 return yards over its 31 attempts in 2007.

MISCELLANEOUS: Michigan State has not put together back-to-back seasons of .500 or better since 1998 and 1999. * All six of the Spartans' losses in 2007, two of which came in overtime, were by seven points or less. The average margin of those six losses was 5.2 points. * Last year marked the first time MSU qualified for a bowl game since 2003.