MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Nick Bendzuck-FB, Mark Dell-WR, Charlie Gantt-TE, D.J. Young-OT, John Stipek-C, J'Michael Deane-OT
DEFENSE: Colin Neely-DE, Eric Gordon-SLB, Greg Jones-MLB, Jon Misch-STAR, Chris L. Rucker-CB, Marcus Hyde-SS, Aaron Bates-P
Offensive Backfield / Defensive Line

The offensive backfield of Kirk Cousins and 1,000 yard rusher Edwin Baker doesn't take a back seat to anyone in the Big Ten. The defensive line is deep and stingy. Tackle Jerel Worthy is "worthy" as an NFL prospect.

Linebacker

Losing team leading tackler and All-American Greg Jones in the middle would be a devastating loss for anyone. His linebacker partner Eric Gordon was the team's second leading tackler. Both will be surely missed.

RB Edwin Baker
 
FS Trenton Robinson
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2011 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
MICHIGAN STATE 2011 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Kirk Cousins-Sr (6-3, 202) Andrew Maxwell-So (6-3, 208)
FB Todd Anderson-Sr (6-2, 253) Niko Palazeti-RFr (6-1, 250)
TB Edwin Baker-Jr (5-9, 208) Le'Veon Bell-So (6-2, 237)
Larry Caper-Jr (5-11, 220)
WR Keshawn Martin-Sr (5-11, 185) Bennie Fowler-So (6-1, 212)
WR B.J. Cunningham-Sr (6-2, 223) Keith Nichol-Sr (6-2, 222)
TE Brian Linthicum-Sr (6-5, 243) Dion Sims-So (6-5, 277)
Garrett Celek-Sr (6-5, 247)
OT Dan France-So (6-6, 304) Jared McGaha-Sr (6-6, 292)
OG Joel Foreman-Sr (6-4, 310) John Deyo-Jr (6-6, 295)
C Travis Jackson-RFr (6-3, 265) Ethan Ruhland-Jr (6-5, 288)
OG Chris McDonald-Jr (6-5, 290) Blake Treadwell-Jr (6-3, 292)
OT Zach Hueter-Jr (6-6, 324) Skyler Schofner-RFr (6-7, 305)
K Dan Conroy-Jr (5-10, 190) Kevin Muma-So (6-0, 189)
 
MICHIGAN STATE 2011 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Tyler Hoover-Jr (6-7, 274) Denzel Drone-So (6-2, 260)
DT Jerel Worthy-Jr (6-3, 305) Anthony Rashad White-Jr (6-2, 320)
NT Kevin Pickelman-Sr (6-4, 278) Johnathan Strayhorn-Sr (6-0, 278)
DE William Gholston-So (6-7, 265) Corey Freeman-Jr (6-2, 236)
LB Chris Norman-Jr (6-1, 225) Steve Gardiner-Jr (6-1, 215)
LB Max Bullough-So (6-3, 240) TyQuan Hammock-So (6-0, 227)
LB Denicos Allen-So (5-10, 218) Kyler Elsworth-So (6-1, 209)
CB Johnny Adams-Jr (5-11, 170) Mitchell White-Jr (5-11, 174)
CB Darqueze Dennard-So (5-11, 185) Tony Lippett-RFr (6-2, 185)
SS Isaiah Lewis-So (5-10, 199) Jairus Jones-So (6-1, 205)
FS Trenton Robinson-Sr (5-10, 195) Mylan Hicks-RFr (5-11, 187)
P Mike Sadler-RFr (6-0, 177) Kyle Selden-Sr (6-5, 299)
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/18/10
The Spartans have a handful of positive aspects returning from an 11-1 season. While there are several holes at most every unit that will need filled due to graduation, running back Edwin Baker, quarterback Kirk Cousins and a defensive line full of a proven depth makes the 2011 Michigan State squad another team to reckon with once again. Dating back to last preseason, no one could have foreseen this type of finish for Big Ten Coach of The Year Mark Dantonio. When an apparent mild heart attack hospitalized the head coach after a huge overtime win over Notre Dame, this team seemed to unite and grow even stronger. The running game diminished but State kept on plugging away in the win column. Edwin Baker did find his way as a star out of the backfield this year and earned All-Big Ten honors. He will have two of the better offensive guards in the league blocking for him with Joel Foreman and Chris McDonald returning. The Spartans will continue to be awful stingy up front on the defensive line where several players have rotated in and out of the lineup while providing plenty of depth. Losing All-American linebacker Greg Jones is another story. The Spartans most drastic improvement comes from a secondary that was absolutely dreadful in 2009 when they permitted 32 touchdown passes while only snagging six interceptions. This year they managed to only give up only 18 touchdowns to 17 passes intercepted. They will also return two All-Conference performers back here in veterans Johnny Adams and Trenton Robinson. East Lancing has much to be excited about. This team is surely capable of wrestling away a solo Big Ten title with a few more breaks and a healthy cast. The target on the chest will be much bigger the next time around. Anything resembling a duplicate Top 10 finish won't be easy. But that's no different that what just transpired.

 

MICHIGAN STATE
2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT
9-3-11 YOUNGSTOWN STATE
9-10-11 FLORIDA ATLANTIC
9-17-11 at Notre Dame
9-24-11 CENTRAL MICHIGAN
10-1-11 at Ohio State
10-15-11 MICHIGAN
10-22-11 WISCONSIN
10-29-11 at Nebraska
11-5-11 MINNESOTA
11-12-11 at Iowa
11-19-11 INDIANA
11-26-11 at Northwestern