EAST LANSING — Few expected the turnaround season from Mark Dantonio and Michigan State’s football program delivered in 2017.
Eroding culture and chemistry in 2016. Too many off-field, offseason issues. Too much attrition, and too many young players in prominent positions.
Then everything changed. The Spartans went 10-3, completing the biggest turnaround season in program history. They finished 16th in the USA Today Coaches Poll and final College Football Playoff rankings, as well as 15th in the AP Top 25.
Now come the renewed expectations of competing for a Big Ten championship and beyond.