Notre Dame Football: First Thoughts on Michigan State

By Bobby Norell | May 31, 2016

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio celebrates with his team after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

After a two year hiatus, Michigan State is back on the schedule.

Over the past six seasons Michigan State has been one of the best programs in college football. Since 2010 the Spartans have gone 65-16, with five 11+ win seasons. They’ve gone to three Big Ten Championship games, winning two of them. The Spartans have also a Rose Bowl victory and a College Football Playoff birth under their belt. It’s safe to say head coach Mark Dantonio has made Michigan State into one of the premier programs in the country. That being said Brian Kelly-led Notre Dame teams have had success against the Spartans. In his ND career Kelly is 3-1 against Michigan State, with the only loss coming on a fake field goal in overtime in 2010…..(the play clock was at 0:00 by the way).

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This season MSU has the daunting task of replacing some its top producers from the last two seasons, most notably quarterback Connor Cook. Cook was a three-year starter for the Spartans and holds the Michigan State record for most win. Juniors Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry will battle it out for the starting quarterback spot in the fall, but all signs are pointing to O’Connor being the starter.

On offense Sparty also loses offensive linemen Jack Allen and Jack Conklin, wide receivers Aaron Burbridge and McGarrett Kings Jr. They lose star defensive end Shilique Calhoun, linebacker Darien Harris and cornerback Arjen Colquhoun.

Michigan State doesn’t always bring in the top recruits, but Dantonio is such a good developer of talent that he doesn’t need the top flight athletes to win. Irish fans can relate to this as we’ve seen something similar with Mike Brey and the Notre Dame basketball program.

Mark Dantanio teams are predicated on strong running game and stout offensive line. The Spartans do return running back sophomore LJ Scott. Scott is remembered for his performance in the Big Ten Championship game last season when he ran the ball 22 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown turned out to be the game winner. Mark Dantanio teams are predicated on. He’s a big bruising runner and could be the Spartans’ next big offensive star.

Michigan State does lose a ton from last year’s team, but Dantanio has them in a position to compete year in and year out. I would expect a bit of a drop off from the past two seasons, but nevertheless this will be a worthy opponent for the Irish. This will still be one of the tougher game on Notre Dame’s schedule. Fortunately for the Irish they will get to play them in Notre Dame Stadium.

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