Spartan Avenue
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Ranking the top 5 Michigan State football teams since 2000

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans holds up the Big Ten championship trophy next to Denicos Allen #28 after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 34-24 at the Big 10 Conference Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans holds up the Big Ten championship trophy next to Denicos Allen #28 after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 34-24 at the Big 10 Conference Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 22: Tony Lippett #14 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Connor Cook #18 of the Michigan State Spartans after running in for a first quarter touchdown in the first half against Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on November 22, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 22: Tony Lippett #14 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Connor Cook #18 of the Michigan State Spartans after running in for a first quarter touchdown in the first half against Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on November 22, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. 2014

Final record: 11-2
Postseason: Cotton Bowl win over Baylor

Do I really believe that the 2014 team was better than the 2015 playoff-bound team? Absolutely.

The defense wasn’t great against the pass but it was one of the best against the run in the country, allowing under 90 yards per game on the ground. Guys like Shilique Calhoun, Marcus Rush, Lawrence Thomas, and Joel Heath all plugged up running lanes and made life miserable for opposing backs. Talent was still there at corner with Trae Waynes leading the way, but the loss of Darqueze Dennard was felt.

But that offense, man. That offense was explosive.

Connor Cook was getting comfortable as a second-year starter, passing for 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns and Jeremy Langford had his second straight spectacular season on the ground, rushing for over 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. Tony Lippett was the most sure-handed receiver in the conference, winning the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award. And that offensive line was really, really solid.

The only two losses the Spartans had this season were to Oregon (on the road) and Ohio State which happened to be the two teams that played for a national title at the end of the year.

Also, that Cotton Bowl comeback alone vaulted this team up the list in my eyes. That was arguably the most exciting non-Rose Bowl win in the past two decades.

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