Michigan State must maneuver a challenging schedule to reach the top

The Times’ annual college football countdown continues its march toward No. 1 with our pick for No. 5. Michigan State is a lock for the College Football Playoff if — and it’s a big IF — it negotiates a schedule that includes last season’s championship finalists, Oregon and Ohio State. Those were the only teams to defeat Michigan State last season. Michigan State checks off all the boxes of a title contender, lacking (so far) the kind of summer drama that gets you on TMZ. The Spartans have a championship-tough schedule, a returning quarterback in Connor Cook, and a no-nonsense coach in Mark Dantonio. They are eight players deep down an excellent offensive line. A-list defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has moved on to become the head coach at Pittsburgh, but he left behind a lot of the players who actually make the tackles. The defensive front is deep and talented, led by superstar end Shilique Calhoun, who opted to forgo the NFL until next season. The secondary needs some renovation and the offense loses stars Tony Lippett and 1,500-yard tailback Jeremy Langford…

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