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College Football Rankings 2018: Alabama, Clemson top way-too-early Top 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Michigan State Spartans defensive end Kenny Willekes (48) celebrates a sack. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Michigan State Spartans defensive end Kenny Willekes (48) celebrates a sack. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Even if Michigan State won 10 games in 2017 and returns one of the most experienced rosters in the nation, it’s still a bit nerve-racking to put the Spartans in the Top 10 our first rankings. But there are just too many reasons to be excited about the Spartans.

Strengths:

The first thing that jumps out is the overall experience Michigan State should have at its disposal in 2018. As many as 10 starters return on offense, led by quarterback Brian Lewerke – a huge benefit since division rivals Ohio State and Michigan must break in new full-time starters. Lewerke will have the benefit of his top four receivers from 2017, as well as his top two running backs and four starters on the offensive line.

Perhaps even more importantly, nine starters – including the top five tacklers and 10 of the top 11– are slated to return for a defense that ranked fourth nationally in S&P+ (17.2), second in rush defense (95.3 yards allowed per game), No. 7 in total defense (297.6 yards allowed per game), No. 15 in success rate (36.0 percent) and third in IsoPPP (0.98).

With so much production and experience back from last year’s surprising 10-win squad, there’s early talk of a Big Ten title and playoff run in 2018 – and understandably so.

Weaknesses:

Mark Dantonio is one of the most respected coaches in the country, and he helped turn the program back around after a disastrous 2016. Dantonio and his staff have also raised the talent level in East Lansing in recent years. Yet the fact remains Michigan State has not recruited at an elite level, and the Spartans are not as talented at Ohio State or Penn State.

Stars aren’t everything, but as SB Nation’s Bud Elliott pointed out so well, fewer than a dozen teams meet the criteria – the Blue-Chip Ratio – for national title contention each season. The Big Ten is tougher than ever, especially in the East, and Michigan State has ranked behind Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Maryland (!) in each of the last two cycles according to 247Sports.

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