Outlook and predictions for the Big Ten East Division
By Griffin Hill
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leaves the field after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Notre Dame 36-28. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Michigan State
2016: 6th in BIG Ten East
2017 Prediction: Spartans rebound, move up to 4th place in the division.
Michigan State is an interesting situation. While usually a nationally relevant program, the Spartans are coming off one of their single worst seasons ever. In 2016, nothing went right for the players in green and that is something hard to bounce back from.
Mark Dantonio is a phenomenal coach and I don’t doubt that Michigan State can have a turn around season and prove once again to be a force to be reckoned with. However, if Sparty wants to threaten the top dogs in the East they are going to have to rely on their run game, and more specifically LJ Scott.
Scott is the most talented player on the roster and is going to see a lot of touches both in the pass and run game. Three wins in a season is a disgrace for a program as elite as Michigan State and I expect them to redeem themselves.
I see the Spartans flipping their regular season record this year to 9-3.