SPARTANS

Players to watch on MSU's 2016 schedule

The Spartans enter 2016 on the heels of one of the best seasons in program history. But with the departure star quarterback Connor Cook, Mark Dantonio and his squad have a lot of questions swirling around the program. The MSU linebacker group should be one of the best in the Big Ten, and Malik McDowell headlines a defensive line that some analysts believe is underrated heading into the season. An early road game against Notre Dame figures to give the Spartans a good measure of where they stand. After that, they’ll have plenty of time to finely tune themselves for showdowns with Michigan and Ohio State in East Lansing. Go through the gallery for a look at some of the top players MSU will face in each game this season, by Geoff Robinson of The Detroit News.
The Spartans enter 2016 on the heels of one of the best seasons in program history. But with the departure star quarterback Connor Cook, Mark Dantonio and his squad have a lot of questions swirling around the program. The MSU linebacker group should be one of the best in the Big Ten, and Malik McDowell headlines a defensive line that some analysts believe is underrated heading into the season. An early road game against Notre Dame figures to give the Spartans a good measure of where they stand. After that, they’ll have plenty of time to finely tune themselves for showdowns with Michigan and Ohio State in East Lansing. Go through the gallery for a look at some of the top players MSU will face in each game this season, by Geoff Robinson of The Detroit News.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Sept. 2 vs. Furman, Andrej Suttles (senior, WR) — Football Championship Subdivision Furman figures to throw the ball a lot to have any hope of staying in this game, and Suttles will be the main target. Suttles was a second team All-Southern Conference selection last season, leading Furman with 43 receptions, 621 yards and four TD. He’s not the biggest receiver at 5-11 and 185 pounds, but he’s going to have to play huge for Furman to hang around.
Sept. 2 vs. Furman, Andrej Suttles (senior, WR) — Football Championship Subdivision Furman figures to throw the ball a lot to have any hope of staying in this game, and Suttles will be the main target. Suttles was a second team All-Southern Conference selection last season, leading Furman with 43 receptions, 621 yards and four TD. He’s not the biggest receiver at 5-11 and 185 pounds, but he’s going to have to play huge for Furman to hang around.
Furman University
Sept. 17 at Notre Dame, DeShone Kizer (junior, QB) — Though he hasn’t won the quarterback competition with Malik Zaire yet, Kizer appears to be the bigger threat to the Spartans. Kizer took over for the injured Zaire last season and completed 63 percent of his 335 passes, with 21 TD. He also rushed for 520 yards and 10 TD. Zaire might be a better runner, but Kizer has more of that valuable starting experience.
Sept. 17 at Notre Dame, DeShone Kizer (junior, QB) — Though he hasn’t won the quarterback competition with Malik Zaire yet, Kizer appears to be the bigger threat to the Spartans. Kizer took over for the injured Zaire last season and completed 63 percent of his 335 passes, with 21 TD. He also rushed for 520 yards and 10 TD. Zaire might be a better runner, but Kizer has more of that valuable starting experience.
Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press
Sept. 24 vs. Wisconsin, Robert Wheelwright (senior, WR) — Wisconsin’s defense will be what keeps them in the game against MSU, but it’s Wheelwright’s ability to make plays that could propel the Badgers over the top. The senior had his first real impact as a playmaker last season, with 32 receptions for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers figure to go up big time this season.
Sept. 24 vs. Wisconsin, Robert Wheelwright (senior, WR) — Wisconsin’s defense will be what keeps them in the game against MSU, but it’s Wheelwright’s ability to make plays that could propel the Badgers over the top. The senior had his first real impact as a playmaker last season, with 32 receptions for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers figure to go up big time this season.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Oct. 1 at Indiana, Marcus Oliver (junior, LB) — One of the more underrated players in the Big Ten, Oliver was a beast for Indiana last year. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection at a loaded position, recording 112 tackles in 2015. He plays the run as well as anyone in the conference, forcing four fumbles last season. If MSU hasn’t developed a quality passing attack by the time it faces Indiana, its talented runners and new starters on the offensive line are going to have their hands full with Oliver.
Oct. 1 at Indiana, Marcus Oliver (junior, LB) — One of the more underrated players in the Big Ten, Oliver was a beast for Indiana last year. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection at a loaded position, recording 112 tackles in 2015. He plays the run as well as anyone in the conference, forcing four fumbles last season. If MSU hasn’t developed a quality passing attack by the time it faces Indiana, its talented runners and new starters on the offensive line are going to have their hands full with Oliver.
Andy Lyons, Getty Images
Oct. 8 vs. BYU, Taysom Hill (senior, QB) — The Spartans will face a second team with two very good quarterbacks. Taysom Hill has always been a playmaker for BYU, but season-ending injuries have been costly. Tanner Mangum had a huge impact as a freshman, and could very well end up keeping his job. Come October, however, if Hill is not the starter, BYU might have figured out a way to get him involved as a difference-maker.
Oct. 8 vs. BYU, Taysom Hill (senior, QB) — The Spartans will face a second team with two very good quarterbacks. Taysom Hill has always been a playmaker for BYU, but season-ending injuries have been costly. Tanner Mangum had a huge impact as a freshman, and could very well end up keeping his job. Come October, however, if Hill is not the starter, BYU might have figured out a way to get him involved as a difference-maker.
Eric Francis, Getty Images
Oct. 15 vs. Northwestern, Justin Jackson (junior, RB) — Jackson is Northwestern’s workhorse, pure and simple. He ranked third in the country with 312 carries in 2015 behind the top two finishers in the Heisman Trophy race, Derrick Henry (Alabama) and Christian McCaffrey (Stanford). If MSU stops Jackson in his tracks early on, it will make Northwestern one-dimensional and much easier to defend.
Oct. 15 vs. Northwestern, Justin Jackson (junior, RB) — Jackson is Northwestern’s workhorse, pure and simple. He ranked third in the country with 312 carries in 2015 behind the top two finishers in the Heisman Trophy race, Derrick Henry (Alabama) and Christian McCaffrey (Stanford). If MSU stops Jackson in his tracks early on, it will make Northwestern one-dimensional and much easier to defend.
Eric Francis, Getty Images
Oct. 22 at Maryland, Michael Dunn (senior, OT) — One of the top left tackles in the Big Ten, Dunn will hold up well against MSU's defensive line. Unfortunately for the Terps, they don’t have a lot of weapons at the skill positions. Dunn and his teammates will have to perform at an elite level to keep this one close.
Oct. 22 at Maryland, Michael Dunn (senior, OT) — One of the top left tackles in the Big Ten, Dunn will hold up well against MSU's defensive line. Unfortunately for the Terps, they don’t have a lot of weapons at the skill positions. Dunn and his teammates will have to perform at an elite level to keep this one close.
University Of Maryland
Oct. 29 vs. Michigan, Jourdan Lewis (senior, CB) — Lewis is one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. He set a Michigan single-season record with 20 pass break-ups in 2015. Michigan State won't risk throwing the ball to his side of the field too often.
Oct. 29 vs. Michigan, Jourdan Lewis (senior, CB) — Lewis is one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. He set a Michigan single-season record with 20 pass break-ups in 2015. Michigan State won't risk throwing the ball to his side of the field too often.
John T. Greilick, Detroit News
Nov. 5 at Illinois, Wes Lunt (senior, QB) — Lunt led the Big Ten in completions per game (22.5) in 2015 and figures to be the driving force behind Illinois’ offensive attack this season. Lunt threw for 2,761 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, but he’s nothing the Spartans haven’t seen before. Unless Lunt can find some playmakers, the MSU pass rushers could have a field day if the Illini try to drop back and throw the ball 40 times.
Nov. 5 at Illinois, Wes Lunt (senior, QB) — Lunt led the Big Ten in completions per game (22.5) in 2015 and figures to be the driving force behind Illinois’ offensive attack this season. Lunt threw for 2,761 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, but he’s nothing the Spartans haven’t seen before. Unless Lunt can find some playmakers, the MSU pass rushers could have a field day if the Illini try to drop back and throw the ball 40 times.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Nov. 12 vs. Rutgers, Chris Laviano (junior, QB) — Laviano will be chomping at the bit for another shot at MSU. As a sophomore, Laviano threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns against the Spartans in a 31-24 loss for the Scarlet Knights. If Laviano is able to develop some weapons, he could find himself in a nice groove come mid-November. The problem for him this time around, however, is he won’t have the support of the home crowd to try to engineer a big upset.
Nov. 12 vs. Rutgers, Chris Laviano (junior, QB) — Laviano will be chomping at the bit for another shot at MSU. As a sophomore, Laviano threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns against the Spartans in a 31-24 loss for the Scarlet Knights. If Laviano is able to develop some weapons, he could find himself in a nice groove come mid-November. The problem for him this time around, however, is he won’t have the support of the home crowd to try to engineer a big upset.
Mel Evans, Associated Press
Nov. 19 vs. Ohio State, Tyquan Lewis (junior, DE, pictured) and Sam Hubbard (sophomore, DE) — These two monsters figure to be the next great pair of defensive ends at Ohio State. Replacing Joey Bosa and all of that NFL-caliber talent can't be easy, but Lewis and Hubbard will be tough to deal with. The Spartans will need to have their running game in clicking by the time these teams meet. Despite quarterback J.T. Barrett’s obvious impact for the Buckeyes on offense, these will be the two guys giving the MSU offensive line fits.
Nov. 19 vs. Ohio State, Tyquan Lewis (junior, DE, pictured) and Sam Hubbard (sophomore, DE) — These two monsters figure to be the next great pair of defensive ends at Ohio State. Replacing Joey Bosa and all of that NFL-caliber talent can't be easy, but Lewis and Hubbard will be tough to deal with. The Spartans will need to have their running game in clicking by the time these teams meet. Despite quarterback J.T. Barrett’s obvious impact for the Buckeyes on offense, these will be the two guys giving the MSU offensive line fits.
Jay LaPrete, Associated Press
Nov. 26 at Penn State, Chris Godwin (junior, WR) — Being set up by one of the best young running backs in the country in Saquon Barkley has provided Godwin a chance to shine on the outside for Penn State. Godwin finished with 1,101 receiving yards in 2015 and was a second team All-Big Ten selection by the media. If Penn State’s offensive line can protect whoever wins the job as its new quarterback, Godwin should have a field day on Big Ten defenses with Barkley garnering so much attention.
Nov. 26 at Penn State, Chris Godwin (junior, WR) — Being set up by one of the best young running backs in the country in Saquon Barkley has provided Godwin a chance to shine on the outside for Penn State. Godwin finished with 1,101 receiving yards in 2015 and was a second team All-Big Ten selection by the media. If Penn State’s offensive line can protect whoever wins the job as its new quarterback, Godwin should have a field day on Big Ten defenses with Barkley garnering so much attention.
Joe Sargent, Getty Images