Fansided

College football rankings 2018: FanSided preseason Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers on January 1, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Michigan State Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) and Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Cody White (7) celebrate during a Big Ten conference college football game between Michigan State and Penn State on November 4, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI.(Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Michigan State Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) and Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Cody White (7) celebrate during a Big Ten conference college football game between Michigan State and Penn State on November 4, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI.(Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

After the 2016 season, national pundits were quick to dub Mark Dantonio’s run with Michigan State as one of the top teams in the Big Ten “over”. Not so fast, my friends (in Lee Corso’s voice).

Michigan State’s 3-9 season was followed up by another double-digit victory season for Dantonio in 2017 which included wins over Michigan, Penn State and Washington State. The Spartans opened eyes with 10 wins with one of the youngest teams in the country.

Moreover, Michigan State returns nearly every starter to its depth chart with the exception of three guys. Yes, that’s 19 returning starters — only one departure on offense and two on defense.

Speaking of that offense, the Spartans have one of the nation’s up-and-comers at quarterback. Brian Lewerke could be next in the long line of successful Michigan State quarterbacks, passing for 2,793 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore. His returning receivers — Felton Davis III, Darrell Stewart Jr. and Cody White — make up the most dangerous corps in the Big Ten.

LJ Scott decided to return for his senior season at running back with unfinished business to tend to and his offensive line will finally be a strength.

Defensively, coordinator Harlon Barnett is gone (left for Florida State DC job) but it would take a middle schooler to mess up with the amount of talent returning. The secondary could be the best in the conference, the line is young and hungry and the linebackers have plenty of depth.

This may be Dantonio’s best team yet.