MSU Red Cedar Message Board

yes

Definitively yes. I think the real question is, "Is anyone else even close?"

Osu? Psu? Iowa?

"No, UM has the best defense"

Signed,

mgoblog

We were going to have the best defense this year, until Dantonio decided to move Denicos Allen fro OLB to kickoff specialist.

I thought that position is called the "kicker on kick offs"?

Fixed it for you.

Truthfully though, MSU definitely has the making of being one of the top if not the top defensive unit in the conference.

DL: Gholston is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. White, when healthy played at a high level and now understands what he is capable of doing. Rush is my unsung hero of the group. He has a workman like attitude and complement Gholston well. Hoover will adjust to moving inside and there are multiple young options that will be infused into the rotation.

LB: The transition from Jones to Bullough was about as transparent as one could have hoped. Bullough has stepped in and not missed a beat, and has become a leader. Denicos Allen has set the bar extremely high for himself and all others who will play the SAM position from here on out. He has has game altering abilities and offensive coordinators now know they must account for his presence on every play. Norman, when healthy is a terrifically athletic and gifted linebacker. He has phenomenal closing speed and is a devastating hitter. With Taiwan Jones, Lawrence Thomas, Ed Davis, Gardiner, Hammock and others MSU does not experience much if any drop off in performance.

DB: When I first saw Johnny Adams as a true freshman he was so skinny I thought someone would snap him in two, but he proved me wrong. He came in as an early arrival and impressed the entire staff with his abilities, now he is entering his final season as a lock-down corner and an almost guaranteed NFL draft pick. If there is one thing I regret about Darqueze Dennard, it's that MSU will likely only be in the program four years. Would have loved to see him redshirt in 2010 but he was just too good to keep off the field and was needed when MSU suffered a loss in personnel. He too compliments his opposite partner Adams, and forms a very solid cornerback tandem. Isaiah Lewis, like Dennard didn't get the benefit of a redshirt year, but it doesn't seem to have hindered his progress. He was one of four secondary members who recorded a touchdown on a forced turnover. That's three very productive and proven entities returning to the secondary, and the potential replacement for the lone available position having game experience in Drummond. This is another group that appears to be well stocked with quality personnel.

The defense as it sits currently is one of the nations best. Any contributions provided by DL players like Calhoun, Clemons, Heath, Kittredge, Knox, Reynolds, Ramondo and Scarpinato and it will only make the Spartans that much more formidable.

Based on what factor? They have no depth and their line is weaker this year.

I know, but I don't think any other defense in the conference is going to be that good either. I know we hate them but there's no doubt Mattison was able to make major strides with players that were complete shit just a year earlier. With any improvement I think theyre #2. Nebraska, OSU, and Wisky all lost a lot.

Even if he's overrated I don't think there's any denying he greatly improved UMs D last year

Agreed. Now let's get this thread back on track, it isn't about UM

Paging SpartanRocky...

This years defense is going to be absolutely ferocious. Probably top three in the NCAA and certainly the best in the Big Ten.

PSU will be pretty solid and my pick for the #2 defense in the league. Wisky has Borland and Abracadabra and should be very solid as well.

One of those two will face us in the title game next year.

Likely to lose Big Will after next year because he is going to be a monster.