The Michigan State Spartans are Iowa's 8th opponent of the upcoming season. The two teams had identical records (9-4) in 2008, though Michigan State won the head-to-head 16-13. They also had two of the best running backs in the nation with Shonn Greene and Javon Ringer, who both must be replaced. Even with the loss of Ringer, the Spartans do return a lot of talent on both sides of the ball with 7 offensive starters and 8 defensive starters coming back.

Offense: Key Returning Players
The Spartans should have a talented set of players catching passes this fall. The top 4 in receiving yards, WR Blair White, WR B.J. Cummingham, WR Mark Dell, and TE Charlie Gantt all return. Together, these 4 players combined for 78% of Michigan State's 2773 receiving yards. Also returning the the left side of the offensive line with LT Rocco Cironi, LG Joel Foreman, and C Joel Nitchman.

Offense: Key Losses
Though Michigan State only loses a few players on offense, the losses account for 4041 of the 4465 yards of total offense and 32 of the 35 touchdowns scored in 2008. Javon Ringer carried the team on his back running the ball 30 times a game. No other back even carried the bal 30 times over the entire season for the Spartans. Ringer was 1st team All-Big Ten. Brian Hoyer was not the most loved quarterback but was servicable in Michigan State's offense and provided experience. He threw for 2404 yard and 9 touchdowns in 2008 and did a good job handing the ball off to Ringer.

Defense: Key Returning Players
Michigan State's defense was very average last year giving up 22.1 points and 356 yards per game. They were right in the middle in basically every statistical category expect 4th down defense (as we sadly found out last year when Greene was stopped at the end of the game), which they were first in the country only giving up a 1st down 17.6% of the time. Though average last year, the defense will have lots of experience this year and should be better. Leading tackler, LB Greg Jones returns. Jones had 127 tackles with 14 of those for loss which earned him 2nd team All-Big Ten honors. The other 2 linebackers, Adam Decker and Eric Gordon, are also back. On the line, Trevor Anderson was a pass rush specialist and had 8 sacks in 2008. Anderson will return along side DT Oren Wilson. Also returning are FS Danny Fortener, CB Ross Weaver, and CB Chris Rucker in the secondary.

Defense: Key Losses
Like the Hawkeyes, the Spartans lose two starters from the defensive line and one from the secondary. SS Otis Wiley was the star of the secondary in 2008 leading the team with 4 interceptions, 1 returned for a touchdown. He also had 78 tackles and returned punts. The two linemen gone are Justin Kershaw and Brandon Long. Kershaw and Long both had good careers at Michigan State. Kershaw was a 3 year starter and had 8 tackles for loss in 2008.

Spring Prospectus: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Prospectus09Spring.pdf
ESPN Wrap: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-3-362/Michigan-State-spring-wrap.html