Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - 2006 SEASON IN REVIEW: The fourth-year of the John L. Smith era in East Lansing began on a positive note as the Spartans won their first three games, albeit against suspect competition. Wins over Idaho, Eastern Michigan and Pittsburgh were hardly awe-inspiring, but MSU fans were looking for a glimmer of hope and for a while, they had it. That is, until Notre Dame came to town and left with a hard-fought 40-37 victory the next week. That demoralizing loss was the first of four straight the Spartans would suffer as the Big Ten slate offered one challenge after another. Setbacks to Illinois, Michigan and Ohio State had the team at 0-3 in conference when it was finally able to break back into the win column with a 41-38 triumph over Northwestern. Unfortunately the winning would not continue as Smith's troops dropped their remaining four games to finish a dismal 4-8, just 1-7 in league play. With that, Smith was relieved of his duties with two years remaining on his contract, and the reigns were turned over to former Cincinnati head man Mark Dantonio. A no-nonsense guy who served on Nick Saban's staff at MSU and then on Jim Tressel's staff at Ohio State during its run to the 2002 national title, Dantonio will instill a sense of discipline that appeared to be lacking during Smith's tenure.

2007 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The pass-first mentality Michigan State had used the last several years is being scrapped in favor of a more traditional Big Ten style, as the run will be the Spartans' primary mode of moving the chains this season. The return of junior RB Javon Ringer gives Dantonio a reliable option in the backfield, and while he has averaged better than six yards per carry during his career, expect to see plenty of 255-pound senior Jehuu Caulcrick, particularly in short-yardage situations. The offensive line is littered with 300-plus pounders and boasts four guys with starting experience. Opening holes in the run game and protecting new QB Brian Hoyer is paramount to the team's overall success, and whether Hoyer is up to the task of being a full-time signal caller in one of the toughest conferences in the country remains to be seen. He will have some weapons to hit down field though, notably sophomore speedster T.J. Williams. His most dependable target, however, could turn out to be senior TE Kellen Davis.

DEFENSE: Despite a decent effort against the run in '06, the Michigan State defense was throttled for nearly 30 ppg. Applying pressure on the QB and forcing turnovers were also areas of weakness for the Spartans, both of which Dantonio hopes to see improve immediately. Helping in that cause will be six returning starters, including LBs Kaleb Thornhill and SirDarean Adams. Thornhill is the key and if he stays out of the trainer's room, could develop into one of the better players at his position in the conference. An undersized front seven means the Spartans will need to rely on speed and an aggressive nature to make plays, and Dantonio believes he has the players to succeed. Safeties Nehemiah Warrick and Otis Wiley head a talented secondary, and their play in particular will be instrumental in helping the MSU defense as a whole perform better than it has in recent years.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Brett Swenson made the most of his first collegiate season in '06 when he converted 15-of-19 FG attempts, and he will likely be asked to make some big kicks once again. The punting job will likely fall to newcomer Aaron Bates, a former All-State performer during his prep years. Dantonio's Cincinnati clubs didn't show all that much in terms of special teams so it will be interesting to see how this unit develops.

OUTLOOK: Many so-called experts think Michigan State made the right move in hiring Dantonio, a guy with a proven track record and deep roots in the Big Ten. The Spartans have the luxury of opening the season with three straight home games (UAB, Bowling Green and Pittsburgh) before hitting the road for a pair (Notre Dame and Wisconsin). Come out of those in the black and winnable home games against Northwestern and Indiana await. Consecutive road tilts at Ohio State and Iowa will certainly be difficult, as will a home date with Big Ten favorite Michigan. Closing the regular season with bouts against Purdue and Penn State means the Spartans will have played some of the league's top teams in the final five weeks. A return to respectability is likely a couple of years away, but the feeling is Dantonio will have his team back among the Big Ten elite soon enough.