2006 Michigan State Spartans Football Preview

2006 Michigan State Spartans season preview from Maddux Sports. Features an indepth look at the team, some info about the university, and the 2006 Michigan State Spartans Football Schedule. When you go to handicap NCAA football in 2006 consider using Maddux's College football spread picks for the added edge over your bookie this year. In addition don't forget to bookmark our free live College odds feed for the upcoming season.

Coach: John L Smith (4th year at Michigan State)
Team Name: Spartans
2005 Overall Record: 5-6
2005 Big 10 Conference Record 2-6
Returning Starters: 13

The Spartans have a seasoned, dynamic quarterback in Drew Stanton, a great group of wide receivers and a second-year running back, Javon Ringer, who in his freshman year ran for 817 yards, averaged 6.7 yards per carry and scored 5 touchdowns while injured!

Last season, Stanton hit 236 of 354 attempts, threw for over 3,000 yards and hit receivers in the end zone 22 times. He hit opponents with passes 12 times. For protection and run blocking, the offensive line looks strong, despite the fact that three starters have to be replaced. The offense was rated fifth in the nation.

On defense, the Spartan line had trouble holding back the run, allowing an average of 164.6 yards a game (ranking: 76 nationally). This year, the line will be better but it’s still a work-in-progress.The linebacking ranks are experienced, with David Herron (65 tackles) showing extraordinary speed and agility from sideline to sideline. The corners are okay and the safeties are questionable.

All of these holes in the defense make the Spartans tough to assess. Four wins are no problem and three loses to Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State are just about givens. But that leaves five games-- Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Purdue, Minnesota and Penn State-- up in the air. So, what will it be-- 9 - 3 or 4 - 8 or something in between? That’s a question that the defense will have to answer.

Michigan State Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	Idaho	Home
Sep 9	E. Michigan	Home
Sep 16	Pittsburgh	Road
Sep 23	Notre Dame	Home
Sep 30	Illinois	Home
Oct 7	Michigan	Road
Oct 14	Ohio State	Home
Oct 21	Northwestern	Road
Oct 28	Indiana	Road
Nov 4	Purdue	Home
Nov 11	Minnesota	Home
Nov 18	Penn State	Road

 

For more info on this years 06 Michigan State football team visit the Spartans official athletic site, or read up on their competition via all of the big 10 team previews below.