I was confident that Dantonio was the guy to bring back the Spartans prior to the 2008 season ... now I'm even more convinced and I'm guessing a lot of
the fence sitters are now in Dantonio's corner.
Not only did Dantonio have a great year on the field with the Spartans .. he's had a great year in recruiting to go along with it. .... with Coach D
leading the charge we no longer have the "same old Spartans' in East Lansing.
The Spartans will miss Ringer in 2009 .... but after seeing some younger guys emerge this season I'm backing of on my opinion that the Spartans will take a
big step back in 2009 .... While I don't necessarily expect another 9 win regular season ... I think the Spartans will make a push for a similar season to
2008. ... 8 wins may be possible.
I'd have to see the 2009 schedule to really try to predict anything. I have no clue who the Spartans open with in 2009, Cal again?
While the class of 2009 will be a great one for Spartan recruiting ... I think if the Spartans really want to build something Dantonio will have to have some
success recruiting states other than Michigan and Ohio. If MSU only wishes to become a 2nd tier Big 10 program like an Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue ... then they
should be okay the way they are .... but they will need to branch out their recruiting if they want to be on par long term with an Ohio State or a Michigan.
My overall Grade for Dantonio and the Spartans for 2008. A "C" being average.
B
So a "B" (above average) year for the Spartans ..... They did a little more than expected .... but still lacked a big win (Ohio State, Georgia, Penn
State) to get into the B+ to A range.
Michigan/Rich Rod
Florida (6)
Ohio (3)
Michigan (2)
Texas (2)
Arizona (1)
California (1)
Illinois (1)
Indiana (1)
Louisiana (1)
New Jersey (1)
Oklahoma (1)
By Conference/Region/ Rich Rod
Big 10 Country/Midwest (7)
SEC Country/South (7)
Big 12 Countray/Southwest (3)
PAC 10 Country/West (2)
Big East Country/East (1)