This is based on program history, returning starters, quality players, coaching and other criteria in coming up with the list.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Virginia Tech
4. TCU
5. Penn State
The next six have some problems and made a lower group, still will have a good defense. They were listed in alphabetical order.
LSU, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Stanford, Tennessee, and Wisconsin were listed. They felt the loss of Ed Davis and Narduzzi were big minuses. The return of Calhoun was a plus, but had only a handful of starters returning.
I thought with our history and quality backups returning we might get a little more recognition. I think we will be better than Penn State. Va. Tech plays in a weaker conference and it might pad their stats. I think we will be trying a lot of combinations in our earlier games and the defensive numbers might be down, but MSU will be much better as the season progresses. Injuries are the only thing that might impact our defensive numbers, but we have quality in the backups and it will improve with experience. We should be faster this year.
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Virginia Tech
4. TCU
5. Penn State
The next six have some problems and made a lower group, still will have a good defense. They were listed in alphabetical order.
LSU, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Stanford, Tennessee, and Wisconsin were listed. They felt the loss of Ed Davis and Narduzzi were big minuses. The return of Calhoun was a plus, but had only a handful of starters returning.
I thought with our history and quality backups returning we might get a little more recognition. I think we will be better than Penn State. Va. Tech plays in a weaker conference and it might pad their stats. I think we will be trying a lot of combinations in our earlier games and the defensive numbers might be down, but MSU will be much better as the season progresses. Injuries are the only thing that might impact our defensive numbers, but we have quality in the backups and it will improve with experience. We should be faster this year.
