Michigan State back as Big Ten contender with higher expectations

Michigan State captains Khari Willis, Brian Lewerke and Joe Bachie preview 2018 season. Recorded Aug. 23 in East Lansing. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press

(Photo: Mike Carter USA TODAY Sports)EAST LANSING – To the outside world, the roof appeared to be falling in on Michigan State’s football program.

To those inside the walls of the Duffy Daugherty Football Building, the offseason between the Spartans’ misery of 2016 and the rebirth in 2017 was a time for insulation and reflection.

And a time to remember their own expectations and goals had not changed.

“I think we kind of came together in the offseason,” senior safety Khari Willis recalled Thursday. “And then headed into (2017), we kind of…