For the first time in two years, the Big Ten has five teams ranked in the Top 25 of the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. And surprisingly, one of those squads is Michigan State – a school that hasn’t seen its name in any of the premier football ranking systems since 2005.
Exacting a token of revenge with a 17-point shellacking of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., the undefeated Spartans (4-0, 0-0 Big Ten) are officially on a roll. On Saturday, however, Michigan State will face its toughest test to date as it open its Big Ten schedule in Madison, Wisc., against No. 9 Wisconsin (4-0, 1-0). On Monday, coach Mark Dantonio spoke to the quality of the 2007 version of the Badgers.
“P.J. Hill is obviously the biggest part of that offense, but people forget Lance (Smith) is a great runner. Their quarterback, Tyler Donovan, is a proven winner,” Dantonio said. “Their offense is very talented.”
The great start to the 2007 season is a pleasant change of pace for the Spartan faithful. Following an embarrassing 2006 campaign which saw the departure of longtime head coach John L. Smith after his third straight losing season and a 1-7 conference record, the quick rise of first-year head coach Mark Dantonio gives Michigan State fans a revived sense of hope for their program’s future as they begin Big Ten play.
“What I’m trying to do is take everything I’ve ever learned as a coach and mold them into one, to take the best of those areas that I’ve learned and develop our guys to be lasting impressions of all those things. And a lot of those things come from two guys I’ve worked with: Jim Tressel and Nick Saban.”
Buckeyes keep streaking
Despite failing to attain the “perfect season” by falling to Florida in the National Championship Game last season, the Buckeyes still maintain one winning streak that has yet to be broken – that belonging to their flawlessness in the regular season.
After demolishing Northwestern 58-7 in Columbus, Ohio, last Saturday for its 22nd straight regular season victory, Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) will now have the task of going on the road for back-to-back nationally televised night games. Nevertheless, coach Jim Tressel looks forward to the challenge of playing beneath the bright lights.
“The challenges are there during the game and after game when you arrive home at four in the morning.” Tressel said. “But you have to be positive. When you play the evening games, the kids get good exposure.”
HENNE SET TO RETURN
After a disappointing start to what was supposed to be a groundbreaking season, Michigan (2-2, 1-0) has rebounded nicely as of late. The Wolverines followed their first win of the year over Notre Dame with a nail-biting defeat of Penn State last Saturday, 14-9. Since Ryan Mallett’s insertion into the starting quarterback slot, Michigan has looked like a changed team.
“We’ve really played two different types of offense. We’ve been a much more focused team. We’ve tackled much better,” coach Lloyd Carr said. “I think offensively, we’ve been able to run the football consistently throughout the year. I think the biggest change has been on defense.”
Chad Henne, the starting quarterback for the Wolverines’ season opener, has been medically cleared to play by the team’s staff. When asked whether or not Henne’s return to eligibility will divide the team between four-year starter Henne and freshman phenom Mallet, Carr said he viewed the potential quarterback controversy as a blessing.
“I don’t think it will divide our team. I think our team has great confidence in both (quarterbacks),” Carr said. “And I think that’s what you like to have as a team, is two guys who can play the position effectively.”
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