Preview: MSU welcomes back football, eyes Falcons to start 2017

It's that time of year again, folks — football is back.

After missing a bowl game for the first time ever under head coach Mark Dantonio in 2016, it's been a long nine months without any football.

Classes have begun and thousands of Spartans have flocked back to East Lansing. They're bound to hit the streets for the tailgates as kickoff for 2017 looms.

Bowling Green comes to town looking to ride the momentum of a three-game winning streak late last season. It's Falcons head coach Mike Jinks' second season at the helm as they look for an upset win in East Lansing.

The Spartans are heavily favored as they should be. Despite Bowling Green's strong finish, record-wise, the Falcons were still one of the worst teams in the MAC last season.

The Falcons feature a number of strong offensive players, redshirt sophomore quarterback James Morgan returns after a promising freshman campaign. Elsewhere, an All-MAC wide receiver in Scott Miller looks to build off a season where he almost collected 1,000 receiving yards.

And the All-MAC punter, Joseph Davidson, looks to anchor a strong special teams unit that was one of the best in the nation last year.

A win would be expected. A loss would be especially concerning.

Numerous Spartans enter the season atop the depth chart, a role they've never played in. Questions, concerns surrounding MSU will be answered once real, live football is on fully display.

Join MSU football beat reporters Colton Wood and Souichi Terada as they break down Saturday's season opener.