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Michigan State football has Big Ten’s toughest schedule, per CBS

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) gestures to a defender during the first half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) gestures to a defender during the first half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State football has the Big Ten’s toughest schedule, according to CBS Sports, but the Spartans will be ready.

The offseason is in full-swing, but that doesn’t stop the experts from previewing the 2017 season. Michigan State football is the subject of a ton of speculation this offseason as no one truly knows who will take the field for the Spartans in the fall.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for month of May

Unfortunately, whoever does take the field for Michigan State must face an absolute gauntlet of a 2017 schedule.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports has ranked Michigan State’s schedule the toughest in the Big Ten. Here’s what he had to say about the Spartans’ 2017 slate:

"This one really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Not only does Michigan State play both Western Michigan and Notre Dame in its nonconference schedule, but it also plays in the Big Ten East where it must contend with Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Of those three opponents, only Penn State will be coming to East Lansing. Also, while Michigan State avoids both Wisconsin and Nebraska out of the West, it still must go on the road for Minnesota and Northwestern while getting Iowa at home."

That’s a tough schedule for a team that just went 3-9 in 2016. Traveling to Ohio State, Michigan, Minnesota and Northwestern won’t be easy, but if the Spartans can somehow earn a split in those games, there’s a good chance they’ll finish the season with a solid record. Also, beating Iowa and Notre Dame at home is imperative.

Luckily, Western Michigan won’t be as competitive as it was last season without P.J. Fleck and Corey Davis.

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What will the outcome be in 2017? We predicted that the Spartans would turn things around, but what’s your prediction?

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