CBSsports.com Big Ten Preview
In a straight power poll sense, Michigan State is the second-best team in this division. Kirk Cousins is probably the best quarterback in a conference full of talented signal-callers, and his cadre of skill position players is also great -- especially All-Big Ten tailback Edwin Baker. The offensive line is retooling, though, and thanks to the departure of four defenders that were at least 2nd Team all-conference, the defense isn't quite as strong as 2010's edition. It's still pretty good though -- Jerel Worthy and Trenton Robinson will both make all-conference teams this year. In fact, the main problem facing the Spartans this year isn't a personnel issue, it's the schedule; road trips to OSU, Nebraska, and Iowa all await Sparty, as does a trip to Evanston in November, when the Wildcats are historically the most dangerous. Put it this way: if the Spartans make it to the Big Ten Championship Game, they'll have earned it.
