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Michigan State Football spring game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By John Buhler

Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans Mark Dantonio walks on the field during a warmup prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans Mark Dantonio walks on the field during a warmup prior to the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans players huddle on the field prior to their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans players huddle on the field prior to their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Next man up on defense

With the way that Dantonio has built this program, you better believe there is a ton of NFL talent coming through this East Lansing pipeline of his. Michigan State is poised to reload, but the Spartans will be without some of the very best players from their 2016 defense.

Defensive linemen Malik McDowell, linebacker Riley Bullough and cornerback Darian Hicks are just a few of the players that will be entering the 2017 NFL Draft with Michigan State roots. Since Michigan State has been a top-10 program in football up until last year, it will be interesting to see who elevates on the defensive side of the ball in this spring game.

A few candidates to shine on April 15 include Robert Bowers and Demetrius Cooper along the defensive line and Willis and Miller in the Spartans secondary. In short, somebody has to step up on this 2017 Spartans defense. It could be anyone, all or none of those guys.

Last season, Michigan State struggled mightily in getting after the passer, were mediocre in stuffing the run, and really hit or miss in coverage concepts in the defensive backfield. It has to get better on the Michigan State defense. One could argue 2016 was rock bottom on that side of the ball for the Spartans. Or at least, let’s hope it was.

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