!7# College Football Picks: 2011-12 Michigan State Spartans Season Preview and Betting Odds

!±8± College Football Picks: 2011-12 Michigan State Spartans Season Preview and Betting Odds

College Football Picks previews the Michigan State Spartans out of the Big 10 conference, who didn't have a great end to the 2010 College Football season, getting hammered 49-7 by the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Capital One Bowl.

Although they faced a mismatch when facing the country's best the Spartans regular season was stellar, as they went 11-2 SU overall and 7-1 SU in the Big Ten conference and earned a piece of the Big Ten title for the first time in 20 years.

In 2011 the Spartans have a great chance exceed last years great season with a team that returns 12 starters. Michigan State is currently ranked No. 17 in both the USA Today preseason poll and the ESPNU preseason fan rankings.

The offense will be able to put up a lot of points getting six starters back, including quarterback Kirk Cousins who had 2,825 passing yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Cousins has another year of experience under him and will look to control a high scoring offense using his main targets in go-to receivers B.J. Cunningham who had 50 catches, 611 yards, nine touchdowns and last years starting running back Edwin Baker who had 207 carries, 1,201 yards, 14 TDs for the 2011 season.

The defense that got manhandled by some of the better teams they faced last season gets six starters returning from last season but will lose a big piece of that defense with All-American linebackers Greg Jones selected by the New York Giants in the 2011 NFL Draft, and Eric Gordon, a second-team All-Big Ten pick.

Michigan State does have some key pieces coming back in both the secondary and on the defensive line, with defensive end Tyler Hoover and defensive tackle Jerel Worthy returning, and free safety Trenton Robinson and cornerback Johnny Adams in the secondary.

Michigan State, which finished the season ranked No. 14 in the nation, will once again be a factor in the Big Ten who has a league in which teams can beat each other this year on any giving Saturday. The defense will be a problem giving up alot of points although the Spartans have an offense that can keep up with any team in the league.

NCAA Football Odds have the Spartans at 10-1 to win the Big Ten championship which is about right but tlook for them to loss at leats 2 games in this balanced big 10 confrence where it is tough to win on the road.