MSU Ranked No. 17 in Preseason USA TODAY Coaches' Poll

Aug. 5, 2011

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State, which won a school-record 11 games in 2010 and a share of its first Big Ten Championship in 20 years, is ranked No. 17 in the Preseason USA TODAY Coaches' Poll, released Thursday, Aug. 4. It marks MSU's first appearance in the Coaches' Preseason Poll since entering the 2002 season at No. 18. The Spartans are one of five Big Ten teams listed in the 2011 Preseason USA TODAY Coaches' Poll, joining No. 10 Wisconsin, No. 11 Nebraska, No. 16 Ohio State and No. 25 Penn State.

Fifth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio welcomes back 15 starters from last year's 11-2 team, including seven on offense, six on defense and two specialists. The Spartans finished No. 14 in the final 2010 USA TODAY Coaches' Poll.

"We will now continue to push to climb the next mountain," Dantonio said. "You truly define a program by winning multiple championships, becoming a consistent Top 25 team and winning bowl games.

"We're very excited about the progress the program has made over the last four years, and we truly believe the best is yet to come."

"Our preseason ranking really demonstrates two things," fifth-year senior quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "First, Coach Dantonio and his coaching staff have built a solid foundation for the program and developed a winning culture. Second, it's a credit to the senior class because these guys have totally invested themselves in the program. It should be this program's expectation to enter each season ranked in the preseason Top 25.

"Until recently, Michigan State had been defined by its inconsistency. This senior class wants to be remembered for bringing stability to the program and for leaving a championship legacy.

"We have a lot of work to do in order to win another title," Cousins continued. "We have a talented team that will face a very challenging schedule. We have great leadership and chemistry on this team, but the margin for error is so small in the Big Ten. From top to bottom, there isn't a better conference. We have to pay close attention to detail and do all of the little things right in order to make the plays at the end of games and produce wins."

The MSU football team reports to campus Saturday at 12 p.m. for physicals, compliance and academic meetings as well as a media workshop. The Spartans open preseason practice Sunday afternoon.

Michigan State's 2011 season and home opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 2 against Youngstown State, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on BTN.