Michigan State Football Falling Out Of Top 10 In Preseason Polls
By: Evan Jankens
@kingofthekc
Michigan State doesn't officially kick off the 2016 season until Friday, Sept. 2 when they take on Furman.
The season is so close, but yet even further away.
Fresh off an appearance in the College Football Playoff, the Spartans are expected to have another good season, but many questions are surrounding the team.
MSU lost some of their best and most important players to the NFL Draft. QB Connor Cook, WR Aaron Burbridge, T Jack Conklin, DE Shilique Calhoun and C Jack Allen are all gone and will be big holes to fill.
With QB Tyler O'Connor expected to take the snaps for the Spartans and the offensive line retooled, the team should be able to compete for another Big Ten Championship.
While hopes might be high in Michigan, publications who put out their preseason polls have dropped the Spartans out of their top 10.
ESPN's "way too-early" top 25 has the Spartans ranked 14.
Michigan State's recruiting class is being called the best of coach Mark Dantonio's 10-year tenure in East Lansing. It's a needed boost, because the Spartans have to replace all but three starters on offense this coming season. The departed senior class guided MSU to 43 victories, three straight top-10 finishes and two Big Ten championships.
USA Today's "way-too-early" top 25 have the Spartans ranked 13.
It would be a little surprising to see Michigan State match this season's Big Ten Conference championship, though it's never wise to doubt Mark Dantonio and the Spartans. On paper, there's enough returning talent to remain in the mix for a Playoff berth but too many departed pieces to be considered a leading contender.
CBS Sports "way-too-early" top 25 has MSU ranked the highest at 9.
There are three returners on the offensive line. Mark Dantonio has plenty of options at tailback and will use them all. Notre Dame and BYU jump on the schedule. Ohio State comes to East Lansing.
Athlon sports "way-too-early" top 25 has the Spartans entering the season ranked 11.
Coach Mark Dantonio is losing several key pieces from the 2015 edition that won the Big Ten Championship and earned a playoff spot in the Cotton Bowl against Alabama. While the Spartans are due to take a step back in the win column, Dantonio has this program on solid ground and a quick rebuild is in store.
These rankings are all obviously really early on in the year and there is plenty left to be seen. Where do you think the Spartans should be when the season starts?