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Michigan State Football: 10 bold predictions for 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Chris Frey #23 and Andrew Dowell #5 congratulate head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans after defeating Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Chris Frey #23 and Andrew Dowell #5 congratulate head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans after defeating Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers is grabbed by Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans as he runs downfield during the game at Spartan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 24: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers is grabbed by Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans as he runs downfield during the game at Spartan Stadium on September 24, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

9. Defensive line contributes 25 sacks

We won’t call these bold predictions for no reason. Michigan State’s defensive line isn’t exactly a ‘question mark’, but rather a slight concern.

The defensive line is looked at as a group of inexperienced guys who don’t have much depth behind them. Raequan Williams is the veteran of the group as a junior along with Mike Panasiuk while Kenny Willekes has a year of starting experience and Jacub Panasiuk is entering his sophomore season as the projected defensive end starter.

The starting group is talented, no doubt, but can it improve on its 12.5 sacks from a season ago? The Spartans’ secondary and linebacking corps added 12.5 sacks of their own as the team finished with 25 total, more than doubling the team’s output from 2016.

Michigan State’s defensive line will shock everyone and finish with at least 25 sacks on its own and the rest of the team will contribute around 10, giving the Spartans yet another uptick in production.

Williams and Panasiuk will combine for eight on the inside, the younger Panasiuk and Willekes will have 10 of their own and the backups such as Gerald Owens, Naquan Jones, Justice Alexander and others will put up nearly 10 as well.

Surprise position group of the 2018 season.

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