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Michigan State Football: Who’s the most dangerous opponent in 2017?

By Stephen Robb

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A helmet is raised in celebration after the Michigan State Spartans defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A helmet is raised in celebration after the Michigan State Spartans defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s been argued that Michigan State football has one of the Big Ten’s toughest schedules for 2017, but which opponent is the most dangerous?

Is it Michigan at the Big House? Nope. Ohio State at the Horseshoe? Naw. It has to be Penn State then? Not exactly. The most dangerous opponent on Michigan State’s schedule has a new a coach and equally new mindset. The Minnesota Golden Gophers.

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The Wolverines, Buckeyes and Nittany Lions will be difficult games and, with the exception of the latter, the Spartans rose to the occasion in the other matchups in 2016 despite inconsistent play and injuries. I believe the Spartans will, in 2017, compete at a high level against their arch-rivals and new rivals.

However, the Golden Gophers represent an interesting matchup because there’s developing talent up and down that roster. The Golden Gophers recruited well before and were well-coached. Now, enter new coach P.J. Fleck whose Western Michigan Broncos gave Sparty fits in 2015, and you have one of the most dangerous games on the schedule.

Minnesota will arrive in this game potentially undefeated and with eyes set on a magical season. The only challenge they will face leading into the MSU matchup will be a home game against Maryland.

The game is situated immediately following the Michigan game and will push the Spartans because it would be the second straight week on the road. It’s a classic let-down game if the Spartans are able to snag a win from the Wolverines.

Unfortunately, if they lose to Michigan and then go to Minnesota it will be a “must-win” game if they are to compete for the East Division title. The way the Spartans perform in that game will dictate the rest of the season, which is why it is dangerous.

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If Fleck gets the Golden Gophers believing then the Spartans will have their hands full and if they lose then it could be a long road to get back on track. They’ll have other tough matchups with the Nittany Lions, Buckeyes and Northwestern Wildcats. The Minnesota game will set the tone for the rest of Big Ten play.

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