Michigan State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Giovanni Rescigno #17 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dives over linebacker Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans while carrying the ball during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

The only thing keeping Rutgers from the No. 12 spot is the fact that Michigan State needed all four quarters to beat the Scarlet Knights last season.

Before you say it, yes, I know it was because Michigan State’s offense was a joke at that point, but even with a wretched scoring attack, the Spartans should have been able to put up more than 14 points on the Scarlet Knights. They ranked No. 13 in the Big Ten and No. 89 in the nation in scoring defense and were 108th in rushing defense. Scoring 14 points is laughable.

That won’t happen again, especially since the Scarlet Knights are replacing a ton on defense, including their top two tackles and interceptions leader from last year.

Artur Sitkowski is the projected starting quarterback and he had one of the worst years of any passer in college football. In fact, he had just four touchdown passes and 18 (!) interceptions with 1,158 yards. No, that’s not a typo. That’s probably the worst touchdown-to-interception ratio I’ve ever seen.

The offense returns some solid pieces, but don’t expect it to set the world on fire after ranking 130th in scoring, 106th in the run game, 124th in passing and 128th in total offense last year.

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