| Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is hoping his team’s season ends in a BCS bowl. (US Presswire) |
Michigan State lost the Big Ten championship game a year after finishing deadlocked atop the standings with Ohio State and Wisconsin and missing a BCS berth on a tiebreaker. However, the Spartans return one of the top defenses in the league and plenty of talent on an unproven offense. If certain players emerge, the team could earn a league title and first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1988.
Offense: Receiver DeAnthony Arnett could emerge as the team’s top deep threat. The sophomore transferred from Tennessee after a breakout season and received a hardship waiver from the NCAA to play immediately. With no proven weapons at receiver, Arnett has the chance to be even better than last season, when he made 24 catches for 242 yards with two touchdowns.
Defense: Defensive lineman Marcus Rush has the talent to be one of the top players at his position in the league. With star end William Gholston on the opposite side, the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder should benefit from lots of one-on-one matchups and likely will improve on his numbers of 58 tackles and four sacks last season. Rush can be a huge factor to one of the top defenses in the country.
Special teams: Kicker Dan Conroy will try to start another streak. The fifth-year senior is expected to be the starter for a third consecutive season after making 17 of 23 field goals last fall. Conroy, who made 14 straight to start his career, has converted on 82 percent of his all-time attempts, including 11 from 40 or more yards. Conroy’s consistent accuracy is vital, as a team with an elite defense and young offense figures to play many tight games.
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