Youngstown State @ Michigan State preview

THE STORY: No. 17 Michigan State is coming off a school-record 11 wins and a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 1990. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio was an assistant at Youngstown State under Jim Tressel from 1986 to 1990, but this is the first meeting between these two schools.
The Penguins are coming off a 3-8 season in which they lost their final seven games.
TV: Big Ten Network. Line: Michigan State -34

ABOUT YOUNGSTOWN STATE (2010: 3-8, 1-7 Missouri Valley): Head coach Eric Wolford is in his second season with the Penguins. Youngstown State returns sophomore quarterback Kurt Hess and leading rusher Jamaine Cook, who had 1,276 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. The Penguins have played one FBS team in each of the past five seasons and have lost by an average of 34.8 points and scored only 5.2 points per game.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2010: 11-2, 7-1 Big Ten): The Spartans return six starters — including quarterback Kirk Cousins — from an offense that averaged 29.5 points per game in 2010. Michigan State’s schedule is significantly more challenging than last season, but this is arguably Dantonio’s most loaded roster since he took control in 2007. The defense lost All-America linebacker Greg Jones but returns pass-rushing defensive tackle Jerel Worthy and playmaking free safety Trenton Robinson.

EXTRA POINTS
1. Dantonio lost offensive coordinator Don Treadwell and replaced him with Dan Roushar, the former offensive line coach.

2. The Spartans have won 12 straight home openers by an average of 23 points per game.

3. Dantonio is 2-0 against FCS teams while at Michigan State, winning by an average of 39.5 points.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 42, Youngstown State 3. The Spartans simply have too much talent on both sides of the ball for the Penguins and will want to start 2011 on the right note after a breakthrough 2010 season.