Michigan State Football: Ranking the top 5 teams from the 2010s

5. 2017 (10-3)

You can say something about this 2017 team that can’t be said about many Mark Dantonio-coached teams: it was a fun squad to watch every Saturday.

They defied so many attributes that we were accustomed to seeing throughout Coach D’s tenure. The team wasn’t filled with seniors who shouldn’t get playing time. They weren’t barely beating bad teams. No stressful bowl game.

This team actually felt exciting, lead by dual-threat quarterback Brian Lewerke, highlighted by defensive stars like Joe Bachie, Josiah Scott and Kenny Willekes. For once, we actually had a team to root for that had young talent.

After what seemed like a flukey 3-9 season, this squad looked like they were ready to return to national prominence.

Obviously, that wouldn’t work out, but this team was undeniably one of the best we’ve seen in a while. In a Holiday Bowl matchup against a very good Washington State squad, the Spartans obliterated them in a 42-17 beatdown that was even more of a blowout than the score would indicate.