MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio said at his press conference on Tuesday to expect 25 to 30 carries from the Broncos’ “big running back,” sophomore Jarvion Franklin. Franklin was named the Mid American Conference (MAC) Offensive Player of the Year and MAC Freshman of the Year in 2014 after rushing for 1,551 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Replacing former defensive coordinator and current Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi will be one of the main storylines of the season. Some believe that there will be a drop off, but head coach Mark Dantonio promoted two men that had been in the system the entire time that Dantonio has been at the helm in co-defensive coordinators Harlon Barnett and Mike Tressel, as they were both hired nine years ago. Senior cornerback Arjen Colquhoun expects things to remain the same despite the change. “They’ll keep the ball rolling, no one is going to drop the ball," Colquhoun said.
On two separate Mondays, August 24th and August 31st, two former MSU Quarterbacks, Brian Hoyer and Kirk Cousins, were named starting quarterbacks for their respective NFL teams.
In what is MSU’s highest preseason ranking in the Preseason Associated Press Poll since 1967 (No. 3) the Spartans are ranked No. 5 in the AP poll which was released Sunday, Aug. 23.
Fifth-year senior linebacker Ed Davis suffered a season-ending knee injury midway through Wednesday’s first preseason practice in full pads according to a press release. An MRI after practice confirmed that his injury will require surgery, MSU is already exploring options for a medical redshirt for Davis to give him a sixth year of eligibility. “We’re so disappointed for Ed Davis, and his presence in the lineup will be missed,” head coach Mark Dantonio said.