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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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Tony Lippett #14 of the Michigan State Spartans reaches the ball out for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 100th Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2014 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Tony Lippett #14 of the Michigan State Spartans reaches the ball out for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 100th Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2014 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

1. 2013

Final record: 13-1
Postseason: Big Ten title, Rose Bowl win over Stanford

This was the easiest choice for No. 1 that you could possibly imagine. The 2013 Spartans were so ridiculously good and I will die on the hill that this team would have won the national title in the College Football Playoff was around that season.

The only 13-win team in Michigan State football history was probably the best defensive squad the school has ever seen and it perked up massively on offense, especially after a really mediocre 2012 season on that side of the ball.

There were major question marks heading into the season, especially at quarterback, and Connor Cook answered the call. He had a memorable season after winning the starting job early in the year, passing for over 2,700 yards and 22 touchdowns with only six picks. This was also the breakout season for Jeremy Langford and the receiving corps was very balance.

And did I mention that the defense was incredible? Max Bullough, Darqueze Dennard, Trae Waynes, Kurtis Drummond, Denicos Allen, Taiwan Jones, Isaiah Lewis, Shilique Calhoun, and RJ Williamson all had great seasons and led a dominant defense.

Easily the most balanced team from offense to defense to special teams (we miss you, Mike Sadler) in decades, Michigan State was one horrible-reffed loss against Notre Dame away from playing for a national title and an undefeated season.

I guess we’ll settle for a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win over Stanford.

MSU football's post-spring game-by-game predictions. dark. Next

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