Wednesday, August 31, 2005

How The News sees Michigan State's season

The Detroit News

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Dave Dye

The Spartans showed flashes of greatness and ineptness last season. Now they need to develop some consistency to confirm that the program is headed in the right direction in John L. Smith's third year. Drew Stanton's health should be enough to assure a 6-5 season and a bowl bid. If the defense improves, 7-4 or 8-3 is possible.

Angelique S. Chengelis

The Spartans seem like an awfully dangerous team for a lot of reasons. Maybe they're not in the top three in the Big Ten, but this team could spoil a lot of good seasons for the upper-echelon teams. If quarterback Drew Stanton remains healthy, this will be a difficult offense to contend with. The Spartans will finish fifth.

John Niyo

Michigan State will have to win a couple away from East Lansing -- and it's a brutal road schedule -- if it is to go bowling this winter. The offseason hasn't brought much good news, but if Drew Stanton can remain healthy, a 7-4 finish is within reach.

Jim Spadafore

If quarterback Drew Stanton remains healthy -- and that's a big if -- the Spartans could be one of the conference's biggest surprises this season. Stanton is a game-breaking running threat -- just ask Michigan -- but he has to be more effective passing. There's no reason the Spartans can't be 7-4 and headed to a decent bowl.

Bob Wojnowski

Traditionally, John L. Smith's teams are dangerous when overlooked. That makes Michigan State dangerous this season because Drew Stanton, for all his versatility, still gets overlooked. Smith had better have some tricks ready because in a rugged Big Ten, the Spartans will be tested. Pick: 6-5.