Sporting News released its 2018 predictions for the Big Ten — what it called “the strongest conference in college football.”
Of course, Michigan and Michigan State were mentioned plenty of times.
The publication predicts the Wolverines will finish second in the Big Ten East, behind Ohio State, and the Spartans will finish fourth, behind OSU, U-M and Penn State.
Sporting News isn’t shutting the door on Michigan State. In fact, it labeled the Spartans as the Big Ten East Sleeper.
“We do this every year: Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State will grab the headlines, but the Spartans are every bit as capable of winning the division, given the experience Mark Dantonio brings back on both sides of the ball,” wrote Bill Bender of Sporting News.