Well, the Spartans did it again in 2017.
Contrary to what the recruiting services might project after signing day, Michigan State had another season with double-digit wins; the Spartans sixth out of the last eight years. And consistently doing it with recruiting ranks that aren’t all that dissimilar from the Huskers. Coaching matters, and Mark Dantonio just keeps outdoing it year after year.
Well, except for 2016. The Spartans followed up a trip to the College Football Playoff with a 3-8 season. Was the magic gone? Nope. Despite only returning eight starters, Michigan State went 10-3 in 2017 for the biggest turnaround in school history.