Michigan State Football: Top 10 quarterbacks in school history

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Spartan Stadium during the 1st half game of a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

6. Ed Smith (1976-78)

Ed Smith was a little before his time as a solid gunslinging quarterback in the mid-to-late 1970s for Michigan State. He started three seasons for the Spartans and passed for 5,706 yards, which is seventh all-time, and 43 touchdowns — which is good for sixth all-time.

Not only was he solid when it came to on-paper success, but he also was a proven winner. In fact, in 1978, he led the Spartans to a share of the Big Ten title, their first since 1966.

Smith led the Big Ten in passing in 1978 with 2,226 yards and 2o touchdowns with just eight interceptions. His passing attack was so impressive during that time that he even helped lead the most prolific offense in the Big Ten as it averaged 523 yards per game — a record that stood for about 24 years.

After a solid sophomore season, passing for 1,749 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 picks, he took a step back in his junior year, passing for just 1,731 yards, 10 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

It wasn’t until his final season that people really started to recognize how great of a quarterback he really could be and that Big Ten title in 1978 was huge for the program that struggled to keep up with the conference’s big boys in the 1970s.

Smith ranks fifth all-time in pass attempts (789), eighth in completions (416), sixth in touchdown passes (43) and seventh in yards (5,706).

Next: 5. Jeff Smoker (2000-03)