EARLY BIRD 2004 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 1, 2003
THE FULL 2004 PREVIEW WILL BE RELEASED THIS SPRING
CHECK OUT OUR 2003 PREVIEW TO SEE WHAT YOU ARE MISSING
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Ziehl Kavanaght-WR, Joe Tate-OG, Paul Harker-OG, Steve Stewart-OT, Jeff Smoker-QB
DEFENSE: Greg Taplin-DE, Kyle Rasmussen-DT, Mike Labinjo-WHIP, Monquiz Wedlow-BAN

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups, and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2004 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
MICHIGAN STATE 2004 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Drew Stanton-So Damon Dowdell-Sr
RB Jaren Hayes-Jr Jason Teague-Jr / Tyrell Dortch-Sr
WR Matt Trannon-Jr ..
WR Aaron Alexander-Jr Kyle Brown-Jr
WR Agim Shabaj-Jr Jerramy Scott-Jr
TE Eric Knott-Sr Jason Randall-Sr
OT Stefon Wheeler-Jr (inj.) Gordon Niebyiski-Jr
OG .. ..
C Chris Morris-Jr ..
OG .. ..
OT .. ..
K Dave Rayner-Sr ..
DEFENSE
DE .. ..
DT Matthias Askew-Sr ..
DT Greg Yeaster-Jr Kevin Vickerson-Sr
DE Clifford Dukes-Sr ..
MIKE Ronald Stanley-Sr ..
WHIP Seth Mitchell-Jr ..
BAN .. ..
CB Darren Barnett-Jr Ashton Watson-Jr
CB Roderick Maples-Sr ..
SS Eric Smith-Jr Greg Cooper-So
FS Jason Harmon-Sr ..
P Brandon Fields-So ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

Big Ten Coach of the Year John L. Smith managed to resurrect a Spartan program from the bottom of the league in just his first season. His encore presentation will have more talent and experience than did his debut. Much of the Michigan State uprising had to do with the brilliant passing of QB Jeff Smoker. That luxury will no longer exist. So the main concern will be locating an ample replacement between Drew Stanton and Damon Dowdell. Difficulties exist in locating a solid set of receivers. Life in the passing game may not come as easy this time around in this one-back offensive set. At running back, Jaren Hayes displayed glimpses of future greatness, but none of the 2003 ball carriers found their way anywhere close to the 1000-yard club. The biggest reason for the 2003 turnaround had to do with the play of the defense. With eight starters returning on this side of the ball, a Top 25 preseason ranking is sure to be validated.

 

MICHIGAN STATE
2004 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
9-4-04 at Rutgers
9-11-04 CENTRAL MICHIGAN
9-18-04 NOTRE DAME
9-25-04 at Indiana
10-2-04 at Iowa
10-9-04 ILLINOIS
10-16-04 MINNESOTA
10-30-04 at Michigan
11-6-04 OHIO STATE
11-13-04 WISCONSIN
11-20-04 at Penn State
12-4-04 at Hawaii