Michigan State Football: 10 bold predictions for 2018 season

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 – NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can’t make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

7. Pass defense ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten

Last year, Michigan State’s secondary took major strides in the right direction. However, the Spartans still ranked just seventh in the conference in passing yards allowed.

The defensive backfield is loaded with talent as all four starters return. Unfortunately, Josiah Scott is out for a month with an injury but his replacement has plenty of experience. Josh Butler is the favorite to replace him as a junior while Shakur Brown, a redshirt freshman, and Tre Person, a sophomore, aren’t too far behind.

light. Related Story. MSU Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2018

The fact that there are three guys, at the very least, who could compete for the starting job shows the impressive depth on this roster.

As for the safeties, Khari Willis and David Dowell are back as starters and the backups such as Matt Morrissey, Xavier Henderson and Dominique Long have little to no drop-off when entering the game. Those three backups could start on most Big Ten teams.

By the end of the season, this extremely deep group of defensive backs will combine to bring back the ‘No Fly Zone’ and give Michigan State the No. 1 pass defense in the conference.

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