MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 5
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 8
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Kirk Cousins-QB, Todd Anderson-FB, B.J. Cunningham-WR, Keith Nichol-WR, Keshawn Martin-WR, Brian Linthicum-TE, Garrett Celek-TE, Joel Foreman-OG, Edwin Baker-TB (NFL)
DEFENSE: Kevin Pickelman-NT, Trenton Robinson-FS, Jerel Worthy-DT (NFL)
RB Le'veon Bell
Defense

Eight starters are back from a defense that finished ranked as the best in the Big Ten. Six of these returning players on this side of the ball were named to the All-Big Ten team. Stout!

Quarterback / Receiver

The years of Kirk Cousins, the winningest quarterback in school history, lining up behind center are exactly that...history. Additionally, every single starter that caught his passes, including two top-flight tight ends, will be history as well.

CB Johnny Adams
* 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 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
MICHIGAN STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Andrew Maxwell-Jr ..
FB Niko Palazeti-So ..
TB Le'veon Bell-Jr ..
WR Tony Lippett-So ..
WR Bennie Fowler-Jr Keith Mumphery-So
TE Dion Sims-Jr ..
OT Dan France-Jr ..
OG .. ..
C Travis Jackson-So Blake Treadwell-Sr / Ethan Ruhland-Sr
OG Chris McDonald-Sr ..
OT Fou Fonoti-Sr Skyler Burkland-So
K Dan Conroy-Sr ..
 
MICHIGAN STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Marcus Rush-So Corey Freeman-Sr
DT .. ..
NT A.R. White-Sr ..
DE William Gholston-Jr Denzel Drone-Jr
SLB Denicos Allen-Jr Kyler Elsworth-Jr
MLB Max Bullough-Jr TyQuan Hammock-Jr
STAR Chris Norman-Sr Steve Gardiner-Sr / Taiwan Jones-So
CB Darqueze Dennard-Jr Tony Lippett-So
CB Johnny Adams-Sr Mitchell White-Sr
SS Isaiah Lewis-Jr Kurtis Drummond-So
FS Dana Dixon-Jr ..
P Mike Sadler-So ..
QUICK TAKE
12/21/11
  • The Spartan defense will be unparalleled in the Big Ten. Only a few of the top defenses in the SEC are on par with what Michigan State has lined up for 2012.
  • Michigan State led the Big Ten in rushing defense, total defense, sacks, interceptions and third-down defense. It's hard to imagine that nine of these players were non-seniors.
  • The Spartan passing game on the other hand is tremendously short on experience, which may be the understatement of the year. Who will be throwing the passes and who will be catching them? These will be the two biggest questions in East Lansing this spring.
  • Two seasons ago Edwin Baker was a shooting star carrying the ball. This past season Le'veon Bell wrestled away the future at running back. Both give MSU a nasty one-two punch.
  • This rushing attack finished next to last in the Big Ten. With four starters returning across the offensive line, this statistical improvement is an absolute MUST for 2012.
  • Jerel Worthy will be the best defensive tackle in the country should he decide to bypass the NFL Draft.
  • If the highly touted Andrew Maxwell is half the quarterback many people feel he can be the Spartans will be the likely favorite to win the Big Ten Conference.

 

MICHIGAN STATE 2012 SCHEDULE

8/31 - Boise State
9/08 - at Central Michigan
9/15 - Notre Dame
9/22 - Eastern Michigan
9/29 - Ohio State
10/06 - at Indiana
10/13 - Iowa
10/20 - at Michigan
10/27 - at Wisconsin
11/03 - Nebraska
11/17 - Northwestern
11/24 - at Minnesota