from msuspartans.com
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State, which capped off an 11-2 season in 2014 with a dramatic 20-point comeback win over No. 4 Baylor in the Cotton Bowl Classic, enters 2015 ranked No. 5 in the Preseason Associated Press Poll, released Sunday, Aug. 23. The Spartans (No. 8 in 2014) appear in the Preseason AP Top 10 for the second-straight year for the first time since 1966-67, and it marks MSU’s highest preseason ranking in the AP Poll since 1967 (No. 3).
It also marks the Spartans’ 15th appearance in the Preseason AP Top 10: No. 8 in 2014, No. 10 in 1979, No. 3 in 1967, No. 2 in 1966, No. 4 in 1962, No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1960, No. 4 in 1958, No. 3 in 1957, No. 2 in 1956, No. 4 in 1954, No. 2 in 1953, No. 1 in 1952 and No. 2 in 1951. Since 1950, Michigan State has appeared in the Preseason AP Poll 29 times.
Two of MSU’s 2015 opponents are ranked in the Preseason AP Poll: No. 1 Ohio State (Nov. 21) and No. 7 Oregon (Sept. 12).
Michigan State returns a total of 50 letterwinners and 17 starters in 2015. The Spartans welcome back 25 letterwinners and seven starters from last season’s record-breaking offense that set school single-season marks for points (559), scoring average (43.0 ppg.), offensive touchdowns (70), total offense (6,510 yards), rushing touchdowns (44), rushing yards (3,057) and first downs (321). MSU brings back fifth-year senior Connor Cook, who enters his third year as the starting quarterback, to lead the offense. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Cook led the Big Ten in passing as a junior in 2014 (3,214 yards; 247.2 ypg.) and ranked second in touchdown passes (24).
On defense, the Spartans return 22 letterwinners and seven starters from a unit that ranked in the NCAA FBS Top 10 in total defense (No. 8 at 315.8 ypg.) for the fourth consecutive year. Three of the four starters on the defensive line are back, including two-time second-team All-AmericanShilique Calhoun at defensive end.
“Our focus remains on winning championships,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. “Over the last two years, we have the third-winningest program in the country, so we’ve proven that we can consistently compete with the top teams in the country.
"We've always had great senior leadership and our expectations remain high for this year's senior class. When your seniors have their best seasons, then special things are possible. The challenge will be how we manage adversity and how we handle critical situations, both on and off the field. This team will go as our seniors go.
"We need embrace our preseason ranking and display the maturity it takes to manage the expectations. Ultimately, our success will be measured at the end of the season.”
Michigan State, which has posted a 24-3 record since 2013, is the only school in the nation to win a Bowl Championship Series game during the 2013 season (24-20 over Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl Game) and a New Year's Six bowl game (42-41 over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl Classic) last season. The Spartans' 24 wins over the last two seasons are tied for the third most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (Florida State – 27; Ohio State – 26; MSU/Oregon – 24).
The Spartans are ranked No. 6 in the Preseason Amway Coaches Poll, released July 31.
Michigan State opens the 2015 season on Friday, Sept. 4 at Western Michigan, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State, which capped off an 11-2 season in 2014 with a dramatic 20-point comeback win over No. 4 Baylor in the Cotton Bowl Classic, enters 2015 ranked No. 5 in the Preseason Associated Press Poll, released Sunday, Aug. 23. The Spartans (No. 8 in 2014) appear in the Preseason AP Top 10 for the second-straight year for the first time since 1966-67, and it marks MSU’s highest preseason ranking in the AP Poll since 1967 (No. 3).
It also marks the Spartans’ 15th appearance in the Preseason AP Top 10: No. 8 in 2014, No. 10 in 1979, No. 3 in 1967, No. 2 in 1966, No. 4 in 1962, No. 6 in 1961, No. 8 in 1960, No. 4 in 1958, No. 3 in 1957, No. 2 in 1956, No. 4 in 1954, No. 2 in 1953, No. 1 in 1952 and No. 2 in 1951. Since 1950, Michigan State has appeared in the Preseason AP Poll 29 times.
Two of MSU’s 2015 opponents are ranked in the Preseason AP Poll: No. 1 Ohio State (Nov. 21) and No. 7 Oregon (Sept. 12).
Michigan State returns a total of 50 letterwinners and 17 starters in 2015. The Spartans welcome back 25 letterwinners and seven starters from last season’s record-breaking offense that set school single-season marks for points (559), scoring average (43.0 ppg.), offensive touchdowns (70), total offense (6,510 yards), rushing touchdowns (44), rushing yards (3,057) and first downs (321). MSU brings back fifth-year senior Connor Cook, who enters his third year as the starting quarterback, to lead the offense. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Cook led the Big Ten in passing as a junior in 2014 (3,214 yards; 247.2 ypg.) and ranked second in touchdown passes (24).
On defense, the Spartans return 22 letterwinners and seven starters from a unit that ranked in the NCAA FBS Top 10 in total defense (No. 8 at 315.8 ypg.) for the fourth consecutive year. Three of the four starters on the defensive line are back, including two-time second-team All-AmericanShilique Calhoun at defensive end.
“Our focus remains on winning championships,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. “Over the last two years, we have the third-winningest program in the country, so we’ve proven that we can consistently compete with the top teams in the country.
"We've always had great senior leadership and our expectations remain high for this year's senior class. When your seniors have their best seasons, then special things are possible. The challenge will be how we manage adversity and how we handle critical situations, both on and off the field. This team will go as our seniors go.
"We need embrace our preseason ranking and display the maturity it takes to manage the expectations. Ultimately, our success will be measured at the end of the season.”
Michigan State, which has posted a 24-3 record since 2013, is the only school in the nation to win a Bowl Championship Series game during the 2013 season (24-20 over Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl Game) and a New Year's Six bowl game (42-41 over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl Classic) last season. The Spartans' 24 wins over the last two seasons are tied for the third most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (Florida State – 27; Ohio State – 26; MSU/Oregon – 24).
The Spartans are ranked No. 6 in the Preseason Amway Coaches Poll, released July 31.
Michigan State opens the 2015 season on Friday, Sept. 4 at Western Michigan, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
