4. Michigan State

Top Offensive Player: G Joel Foreman
Scouting the Offense: Tailback Javon Ringer received a staggering amount of touches last season, rushing 390 times for 1,637 yards and 22 touchdowns. No one else on the Spartans had more than Andre Anderson and his 26 carries for 97 yards. Anderson, A.J. Jimmerson and Ashton Leggett will be among those likely splitting carries. Also gone on the offense is signal caller Brian Hoyer, who had a somewhat disappointing '08 season with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Taking over for him will be either sophomore Kirk Cousins or sophomore Keith Nichol. With uncertainty at two key offensive positions and the loss of the man responsible for much of the offensive success last year, the Spartans' offense is difficult to predict.

Top Defensive Player: LB Greg Jones
Scouting the Defense: Eight starters return to the defense, led by Jones -- the conference's preseason defensive player of the year. A tackling machine, Jones recorded 127 tackles, 12 of which were for a loss. Playmakers are lost at safety with Otis Wiley and at end with Brandon Long, but the Spartans have plenty of talent and experience to have a strong season defensievly.

Overall Outlook: Michigan State has become a sleeper pick for the Big Ten title, and although they have made strides under Mark Dantonio, losing Ringer and Hoyer puts big question marks around the offense. The Spartans also struggled in big games last year, losing 45-7 to Ohio State and 49-18 to Penn State. Ringer was such a huge part of the offense that it's a hard to imagine Michigan State moving past either the Buckeyes or Nittany Lions in the league, but it should be another eight- or nine-win season in East Lansing.

-Brown