Michigan State Football: Ranking opponents by difficulty

Nov 15, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) looks for an open receiver under pressure from Michigan State Spartans linebacker Chris Frey (23) at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s take a look at which of Michigan State Football’s opponents provide the biggest threat to an unbeaten season.

With the 2015 season in the rear-view mirror, the 2016 Michigan State Football campaign is going to be filled with many challenges. It’s up to the new starters, incoming freshmen and transfers and returning players to silence the doubters and put that 38-0 Alabama thrashing behind them for good.

Michigan State definitely has the potential to be one of the top teams in the country once again, but this season it’d be a major shock if the Spartans made the playoff. A year ago, the Spartans were a top-10 team that was expecting major success and this year, not many people are giving MSU a shot to win the Big Ten title.

Tyler O’Connor is the new starting quarterback for the Spartans, the backfield has three capable rushers, the receiving corps are young and talented, but unproven, and the offensive line/tight ends have major potential. The defense is led by four returning starters in the secondary, two returning linebackers (possibly a third with Ed Davis) and a dominant defensive line.

This team is going to surprise some people this season.

Furman Paladins

Last year: 4-7, FCS

Sep 12, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Furman Paladins quarterback Reese Hannon (12) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Furman is no stranger to playing top-tier college football teams to open the season, but that doesn’t mean the Paladins are competitive against those squads. They’ve played teams like Clemson and Virginia Tech in recent years and the defense has a tough time slowing down FBS teams.

They lost to the mediocre Hokies last season, 42-3. The Paladins did have one big win over Central Florida — even though the Knights finished the year without a victory.

However, a pitiful offensive showing last season with zero 400-yard rushers and no quarterback passing for over 1,500 yards. Michigan State’s defense could have its way with the Paladins, as well it should.

Nov 28, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Chris Laviano (5) runs with the ball during the first half of their game against the Maryland Terrapins at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last year: 4-8, Big Ten

A year ago, the Spartans traveled to Piscataway to play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but nearly left with an upset loss. Rutgers kept the game close even when it seemed like the Spartans were pulling away, leaving Michigan State fans worried about the rest of the season.

Thanks to R.J. Shelton’s huge third-down conversion reception in the fourth quarter, though, Michigan State ended up pulling out the win, 31-24. Rutgers’ starting quarterback Chris Laviano spiked the ball on fourth down, thinking it was third, giving MSU the win.

Luckily for the Spartans, they’ll be getting the Scarlet Knights at home this season and they’ll be without All-Big Ten receiver Leonte Carroo who torched Michigan State last year for 134 yards and three touchdowns on seven catches.

Laviano returns as the starter under center and Rutgers had just the 86th-best passing offense a year ago. There are some solid pieces on the offensive side of the ball like Andre Patton and Janarion Grant, but just not enough to overcome the vaunted MSU defense. Oh yeah, and Rutgers has the worst defense in the conference.

Chris Ash will turn this program around, but not this year.

Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Perry Hills (11) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive tackle Craig Evans (72) during the first half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland Terrapins

Last year: 3-9, Big Ten

D.J. Durkin was one of the best hires of any program looking for a new head coach this offseason. The former Michigan defensive coordinator took the Maryland job after the Terrapins posted a dreadful 3-9 regular season record in 2015, going just 1-8 in conference action. The Terrapins didn’t have much of an offense, the defense was suspect and scoring did not come easy.

Michigan State did whatever they wanted against Maryland in 2015, winning 24-7 without starting quarterback Connor Cook. Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry filled in, but there was very little offense. It didn’t matter, though, as Michigan State shut down the Terrapins, holding them to just 289 total yards.

Perry Hills is back as the starting quarterback for hosting Maryland, but he will have to try and hold off Caleb Rowe all season long. Maryland might be seeing a turnaround as a program, like Rutgers will, but that’s not going to be evident in 2016.

The Terrapins’ defense is also one of the worst in the Big Ten and by this point in the season, Michigan State’s offense will be well-gelled and ready to go.

Oct 31, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Wes Lunt (12) scrambles out of the pocket against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won 39-0. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Fighting Illini

Last year: 5-7, Big Ten

It’s been a while since Michigan State and Illinois last met up. In fact, the year was 2013 and the Spartans were hoping to keep their win streak going after losing to Notre Dame in week four. They had started conference play 3-0 and were 6-1 overall, playing a 3-3 Illinois team without a win in Big Ten play.

Playing in Champaign, Ill., however, would not be an easy task, or so it seemed. The Spartans were down 3-0 after the first quarter, but scored 42 consecutive points to win the game 42-3 and head into the next week with a 7-1 record.

That game helped catapult Michigan State into Rose Bowl contention and the momentum gained by the blowout road victory led to four more regular season wins, a Big Ten title game victory and a 13-1 overall record.

This year, the Illini will look much different, but will be hosting Michigan State yet again. Wes Lunt is a prolific passer who led the 47th-best passing offense in the country last season and he will be the main guy to keep an eye on. The Lovie Smith-led Illini will be tougher than expected on the road.

Nov 15, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Zander Diamont (12) hands the ball off to running back Devine Redding (34) during the third quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat the Indiana Hoosiers 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Indiana Hoosiers

Last year: 6-7, Big Ten

Indiana has the potential to put up some big points. Last year, the Hoosiers stuck with the Spartans for three quarters, trailing just 28-26 heading into the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium.

Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld was doing whatever he wanted with a struggling Michigan State secondary, passing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns while Jordan Howard added nearly 80 rushing yards and a score. The Spartans ended up pulling away in the fourth quarter, scoring 24 straight points and winning 52-26.

Yet another big catch by Shelton put the game out of reach for good as the junior wide out continued his stretch of big-time snags. He finished the game with 76 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.

Luckily for the Spartans, Sudfeld and Howard have gone on to the NFL and shaky, unproven Zander Diamond and JUCO transfer Richard Lagow will battle it out for starting quarterback. Lagow has been named the week one starter, though. Also, Devine Redding replaces Howard in the backfield.

Playing at Indiana could present a problem, but this team is not nearly as prolific offensively as it was a season ago.

Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; BYU Cougars running back Francis Bernard (36) celebrates with quarterback Tanner Magnum (12) after the quarterback scored a fourth quarter rushing touchdown against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah won the game 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

BYU Cougars

Last year: 9-4, Independent

Taysom Hill has been at BYU forever, it seems. The senior quarterback has suffered three season-ending injuries and the latest one put freshman Tanner Mangum under center in 2015 and he ended up playing great, leading the Cougars to a 9-3 regular season record, but losing to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Mangum passed for 3,377 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing about 60 percent of his passes, but that didn’t necessarily guarantee him the starting job in 2016. He is currently the backup to the returning Hill whose career-best was a 2,938 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions season in 2013.

Michigan State will host BYU in the sixth week of the season and the Spartans should not be overlooking this team. The Cougars are just as talented as about half of the teams on their schedule with arguably the most experienced quarterback they’ll face.

BYU doesn’t return any starters at skill positions on offense, but three members of last year’s 31st-ranked secondary return. This may end up being a defensive battle, but the Cougars might fall just short at Spartan Stadium.

If there was ever a game which will put MSU on upset alert in 2016, this is it.

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State Nittany Lions

Last year: 7-6, Big Ten

Penn State and BYU were somewhat interchangeable on the toughness level in this list. The reason I have the Nittany Lions just ahead of the Cougars is because they’ll be hosting the Spartans this season.

Michigan State stuck it to the Nittany Lions in 2015, taking them to the woodshed for a 55-16 beating in which James Franklin will try hard to forget. However, the Spartans and Nittany Lions have a rivalry which won’t soon fade. The two teams don’t necessarily like each other, and that was furthered this offseason when Franklin accused Dantonio of using negative recruiting tactics against his program — only to backpedal shortly after.

The Nittany Lions return one of the best running backs in the country in sophomore Saquon Barkley while also bringing in his potential backup, five-star Miles Sanders. The backfield will be relied on quite a bit this season, which will bode well for Michigan State’s stingy run defense.

Trace McSorley is filling in for Christian Hackenberg who decided to leave a year early for the NFL after regressing each season under Franklin.

Penn State has a solid defense, but the Spartans should have no problem shutting down the Nittany Lions’ mediocre passing game and limiting the run.

Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) is congratulated as he scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern Wildcats

Last year: 10-3, Big Ten

Northwestern is a team that I believe will be much better than people give it credit for. The Wildcats went 10-3 in 2015 and earned a trip to the Outback Bowl only to get demolished by the Tennessee Volunteers.

College football is sort of whacky, though. Northwestern beat Stanford to begin the season, 16-6. The Cardinal went on to make it all the way to the Rose Bowl and ended up embarrassing the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa had its way with Northwestern during the regular season 40-10. So what should we believe? That the Wildcats’ win over Stanford was a fluke? I’m not buying it.

With another year of experience under his belt, Clayton Thorson will be solid at quarterback for the Wildcats and he lived up to his four-star billing on multiple occasions in 2015. Although the Wildcats’ passing offense ranked just 119th in the country, he showed flashes of solid play.

Justin Jackson returns at running back, but it’s the defense that will cause problems for the Spartans in mid-October. Northwestern had the 13th-best total defense and 12th-best scoring defense in the country last season and it returns six starters.

Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Dare Ogunbowale (23) looks on before the game against the USC Trojans in the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin Badgers

Last year: 10-3, Big Ten

Yet another team Michigan State hasn’t played in some time. The Wisconsin Badgers come to East Lansing in the first Big Ten matchup of the season for both sides on September 24th. The Badgers and Spartans have a heated rivalry in both football and basketball, but haven’t faced off on the gridiron since 2012.

What happened during that game? It was the year after MSU beat the Badgers on a last-second Hail Mary in East Lansing and then lost to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game and the Spartans had to travel to Madison. Michigan State’s offense was led by Andrew Maxwell and was mediocre, at best. The Spartans won on a 15-yard touchdown pass in overtime to remain in the bowl hunt.

Four years later and the two teams will be meeting up to rekindle their rivalry. Wisconsin’s offense returns just four starters — three on the offensive line — and will have a rough time moving the ball against this Michigan State defense.

On the other hand, Michigan State’s offense may have a difficult time going down the field on the nation’s top scoring defense from a year ago. This could be a low-scoring affair in East Lansing.

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans safety Grayson Miller (44) during the 2nd half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan Wolverines

Last year: 10-3, Big Ten

This is the rivalry that boils the blood of every Spartan fan, coach and player, alike. The Michigan Wolverines will come to town in the second edition of Jim Harbaugh vs. Mark Dantonio. Everyone talks about the resurgent rivalry between the Wolverines and Buckeyes, but that just means Michigan State will quietly continue to beat Michigan.