“We’re very, very excited as we enter our fourth season as a staff at Michigan State,” Dantonio said. “Very, very excited, especially about really the leadership, the chemistry and the attitude that’s been displayed by our football team throughout winter conditioning, spring ball and summer conditioning.”

Coming off a season in which the Spartans lost three games by three points or less, Dantonio said he hopes a core of returning veterans can help MSU find more success next season.

“We have a lot of experience back,” Dantonio said. “I think that speaks to our leadership as a program and as a team right now.”

In addition to Dantonio, items discussed Monday as possible things to watch for were also discussed. Here is how those story lines played out during the day.

Ohio State picked No. 1

When the Big Ten preseason polls were released Monday with Ohio State as the favorite to win the conference, it became official: The Buckeyes are the team to beat in 2010. None of the 10 Big Ten coaches looking to end their run as the best in the conference appeared very confident in their chances to stop the Buckeyes.

Kirk Ferentz, whose Iowa Hawkeyes were picked as the preseason No. 2, even refused to give his team any credit, giving it all to the Buckeyes.

“One thing is for sure: If you’re going to try and win a Big Ten Championship, you’re going to have to find a way to beat Ohio State, and we haven’t had much luck with that,” Ferentz said.

U-M quarterbacks battling

There is plenty of uncertainty in Ann Arbor heading into the 2010 season, and a lot of it comes from the quarterback position. Although Tate Forcier started the majority of last season’s games for the Wolverines, head coach Rich Rodriguez said the position is up for grabs.

“It’s wide open,” Rodriguez said. “I hope it’s answered who will be the starter or the two guys by the first game, but it may take a couple games before someone clearly separates themselves, if they do.”

Steady signal-callers

While Rodriguez talked about his question marks at arguably the most important position on the field, others talked about quarterback being one of their team’s strengths, including Dantonio, who returns junior Kirk Cousins to the Spartans.

“Offensively, obviously it always starts at quarterback,” Dantonio said. “I think when you have an experienced quarterback, you know, good things can happen for you.”

The hot seat

Rodriguez never had to field any questions about his future in Ann Arbor, but the third-year Wolverines head coach did talk about fans and how they have treated him through a difficult two years.

“You know, we have high expectations of Michigan. Rightfully so we should,” Rodriguez said. “But since the day we’ve gotten on campus, (the fans) have been overwhelmingly positive. And there’s always going to be some negativity, particularly when you don’t win. But that comes with the deal. Comes with the profession.”