Michigan State Football: Which 2020 position group is most underrated?

It’s preview season and that just means it’s time to debate which Michigan State football position group is most underrated heading into 2020.

We are in the midst of preview season. What does this mean? Well, there is no football going on, no basketball and this year as of mid-June, no baseball. That means we’re stuck previewing the football season and placing guesses on how the Spartans will finish 2020.

Fans are hoping that there will be a season amid all the COVID-19 issues across the country, but there’s a chance we won’t see sports return until 2021 — let’s all collectively knock on wood.

In the meantime, we can still take a look at how Michigan State would look if they took the field in 2020, starting with position group ranks by Pick Six Previews.

Pick Six Previews is one of the most in-depth preview publications and they do a solid job every year, so you have to realize this isn’t disrespect. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t underrate a few Michigan State position groups in its Big Ten rankings.

Which Michigan State football position groups are underrated?

Quarterback being No. 14 is fair although you could make the same case for teams like Rutgers, Purdue or Maryland. Heck, even Iowa could be there.

Running back at No. 8 seems a bit low considering Elijah Collins is arguably a top-five running back in the conference heading into 2020 and could be the first 1,000-yard rusher in green and white since 2014. That position group is young and talented with Anthony Williams Jr. and Connor Heyward back.

Receivers and tight ends have to be the most underrated, in my opinion. Sitting at No. 12 with all the talent that returns as well as Jayden Reed being eligible, this group will be in the top five by the end of the season if all goes as planned. There are just too many solid pieces at both tight end and receiver to be the third-worst in the Big Ten.

Offensive and defensive lines are fair but that should change under Chris Kapilovic — potentially a top-half of the Big Ten unit coming — and Ron Burton.

The linebacking corps are slightly undervalued with one of the conference’s best returning in Antjuan Simmons. It’s young and unproven, so I can see why it’s just 11th.

Lastly, defensive backs are about right because no one knows what to expect. The group is young and inexperienced, but Harlon Barnett should bring back that No Fly Zone.

As for most underrated, it would have to be either running backs or receivers. Agree or disagree?