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2013 OPPONENT PREVIEW • Oct. 19 • Spartan Stadium • Time TBA • TV TBD T Michigan State Spartans where first-year starter ime will tell how Andrew Maxwell expemuch Michigan rienced ups and downs, State can score this season. completing just 53 percent of his passes and But it should have little trouble stopping peothrowing nine picks to ple from scoring. just 13 scores. A year ago, the SparIt remains to be seen tans ranked fourth nawhether the Spartan oftionally in total defense fense will remain under and could remain this Maxwell's control. season in that strata. "He probably has the Michigan State inside track," Konyndyk "They probably have a top-10 defense again," Receiver Bennie Fowlsaid, "but that's by no er hopes to provide said Paul Konyndyk, who much-needed offensive means set in stone." covers Michigan State punch. Sophomore Connor for SpartanMag.com, Cook guided Michigan "and any time that's the State's game-winning case, expectations are going to be pret- drive in its 17-16 bowl win over TCU; ty high." redshirt freshman Tyler O'Connor is Michigan State will look for more getting a long look, as well. this season after finishing 7-6 a year "No matter who starts," Konyndyk ago, just 3-5 in the Big Ten. said, "they can be a better at quarterback, just because of The key for the TOM'S TAKE experience." Spartans winning "Stop me if you've heard The offense will be more games in 2013 is this before — the Spartans merely to score more. are going to have a really under new direction In 2012, Michigan good defense. Maybe the from the sideline, as State averaged just 20 best in the Big Ten, again. offensive coordinator points per game. In But unless the dysfunction- Dan Roushar left for losses to Notre Dame al offense develops more the NFL; quarterbacks (20-3), Ohio State consistency in the passing coach Dave Warner (17-16), Iowa (19-16, game and finds a running and new offensive line overtime) and Mich- back, it won't matter. This coach Jim Bollman, igan (12-10), it aver- team lost five games by a who was on Darrell aged just 11.3 points. Hazell's staff at Purcombined 13 points last An injury-riddled year. Maybe a new offen- due for a few months offensive line didn't sive coordinator will help." in the winter, will help matters. — Tom Dienhart, Big Ten share coordinator duties. Neither did inexpeNetwork rience at quarterback, One their first tasks Who's in Charge? COACH MARK DANTONIO Record at Michigan State: 5128 (six seasons) Record vs. Purdue: 4-0 Bottom Line: After a run of excellent seasons, Michigan State's crept back to middle-of-the-pack standing in the Big Ten of late. This season will be an interesting one in that sense. Would another 7-6 sort of season signal it being stuck in that range for the long term as the Big Ten's new divisional structure, which was not kind to the Spartans, takes hold? MSU D Among Big Boys Top 5 total defense leaders 2012 (NCAA) 1. Alabama 250.0 yds/game 2. 3. 4. 5. Florida State 254.1 yds/game Brigham Young 266.1 yds/game Michigan State 274.4 yds/ game Florida 287.5 yds/game Early line vs. Purdue: MSU -9 102 • Gold and Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 6 GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com