I think this gonna be a great game who stays close to the end.
Michigan St: Freshmen wideouts Fred Smith and Keshawn Martin have been better than advertised. That's good, because the Spartans needs playmakers to emerge in the passing game now that Devin Thomas and Kellen Davis are gone. Smith, the superstar of Michigan State's recruiting class, has performed well enough to emerge as the team's No. 1 target.
California: Sophomore Kevin Riley beat out senior Nate Longshore for starting quarterback, which is a huge surprise. Riley will start against the Spartans, but he must continue to be sharp. Expect to see Longshore get playing time in case Riley implodes. Sophomore TB Jahvid Best wowed teammates during practices, showing he's back from a hip injury that sidelined him for part of last season.
California returns eight defensive starters but allowed an average of 164.5 rushing yards per game last season. Now it must stop Ringer, who rushed for 1,447 yards last season, with its new 3-4 scheme. Running the ball well might not guarantee victory for Michigan State, considering Ringer ran for more than 100 yards in five of the team's six losses last season, but it will be crucial for the Spartans to control the clock and convert third downs in a hostile environment.
Michigan State allowed six opponents to rush for more than 150 yards last season, and a strong game from the lightning-fast sophomore would put the Spartans on their heels early. The Bears might need Best to carry the offense because Riley, making his first start, could struggle against a strong Spartans secondary that returns future NFL safety Otis Wiley and corners Kendell Davis-Clark and Chris Rucker.
Keep an eye on: Michigan State DE Trevor Anderson. The 6-2, 255-pound Anderson followed Dantonio from Cincinnati to East Lansing. After sitting out last season because of transfer rules, Anderson was unstoppable in camp and is expected to be even better than former Spartans star Jonal Saint-Dic.
The Spartans went 7-6 last season, finishing with a loss to Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl. All six of their losses were by seven points or fewer. They have holes to fill on on offense and defense. Running back Javon Ringer could be a breakout stars, and Cincinnati transfer defensive end Trevor Anderson leads a great pass rush that could spend a lot of time in the Cal backfield.
My Pick:
Michigan St. +6
Michigan St. 31 California 27
Want to hear what others think before I bet it... Also might lay a small bet on the Michigan ML +205...
Michigan St: Freshmen wideouts Fred Smith and Keshawn Martin have been better than advertised. That's good, because the Spartans needs playmakers to emerge in the passing game now that Devin Thomas and Kellen Davis are gone. Smith, the superstar of Michigan State's recruiting class, has performed well enough to emerge as the team's No. 1 target.
California: Sophomore Kevin Riley beat out senior Nate Longshore for starting quarterback, which is a huge surprise. Riley will start against the Spartans, but he must continue to be sharp. Expect to see Longshore get playing time in case Riley implodes. Sophomore TB Jahvid Best wowed teammates during practices, showing he's back from a hip injury that sidelined him for part of last season.
California returns eight defensive starters but allowed an average of 164.5 rushing yards per game last season. Now it must stop Ringer, who rushed for 1,447 yards last season, with its new 3-4 scheme. Running the ball well might not guarantee victory for Michigan State, considering Ringer ran for more than 100 yards in five of the team's six losses last season, but it will be crucial for the Spartans to control the clock and convert third downs in a hostile environment.
Michigan State allowed six opponents to rush for more than 150 yards last season, and a strong game from the lightning-fast sophomore would put the Spartans on their heels early. The Bears might need Best to carry the offense because Riley, making his first start, could struggle against a strong Spartans secondary that returns future NFL safety Otis Wiley and corners Kendell Davis-Clark and Chris Rucker.
Keep an eye on: Michigan State DE Trevor Anderson. The 6-2, 255-pound Anderson followed Dantonio from Cincinnati to East Lansing. After sitting out last season because of transfer rules, Anderson was unstoppable in camp and is expected to be even better than former Spartans star Jonal Saint-Dic.
The Spartans went 7-6 last season, finishing with a loss to Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl. All six of their losses were by seven points or fewer. They have holes to fill on on offense and defense. Running back Javon Ringer could be a breakout stars, and Cincinnati transfer defensive end Trevor Anderson leads a great pass rush that could spend a lot of time in the Cal backfield.
My Pick:
Michigan St. +6
Michigan St. 31 California 27
Want to hear what others think before I bet it... Also might lay a small bet on the Michigan ML +205...