Mike at Black Shoe Diaries has asked several good questions of the Big Ten Bloggers…. Thanks Mike !!!!  I’ll briefly look and respond to  his questions, If anyone else has Spartan observations or comments, I’d welcome them…..

1. I love spring. Flowers blooming. Birds chirping. Bones breaking. ACL’s tearing. List the injuries your team sustained and describe their impact on 2008.

Spartans escaped without significant injury… Ringer is still healing from Shoulder surgery. And expected to be ready to go come fall…   Roland Martin is out on the Front Line.. He should be ready… Oren Wilson (DT) injury in practices, but will be ok,  Did see #40 Jenrette  limping around the back field….

But, no huge season questioning injuries or  losses, all of them were already unknown, not new…

2. Break down the major position battles going on with your offense. (See Below....)
3. You knew this was coming. Break down the major position battles on defense.
 Only Position battle is for Back up Quarterback..  I like Nick Foles over Kirk Cousins, but, Connor Dixon might emerge as well.  If Brian Hoyer lays an egg (Like he did in the Champs Sports Bowl) or gets hurt, I expect to see 6’5” Foles in and taking over… But… But… There is talented Cousins and then Dixion in the shadows…

4. Who are the unknown kids on your team that will be household names come December?
These guys listed below will have break out defining seasons…  And they will all be around for another 3 Years….
#6 Mark Dell WR (Tall and great Hands….)
#43 Eric Gordon LB (Pain Train commin Baby…..)
#5 Johnny Adams CB (Flys to the Ball…)
#91 Tyler Hoover DE (“Tree Trunks for Legs…Stud !
#21 Otis (My Man….) Wiley - (Senior)..  Will teach the young kids…

5. How would you describe the general mood around your program? Are you gearing up the tailgate party for a conference title run or do you get the impression there are going to be a lot of empty seats in your stadium this year?

Mood: Uplifting… Looking Forward…  Focused… Excited about the New Year… No Cross player blame or Excuses…  The BS from the Smith era is gone ! Ever since Dantonio arrived, he has worked to transform the team.. and The Spartans Nation is very pleased !  Can’t wait to get to AA to kick some Wolver-weenie little brother ass !

I know more people looking for tickets.. a Waiting list is growing… I sent my check in already…

Our TailGates are listed on SpartyMSU.com… Every Game… Rain, Sleet, Sun and Snow… We will Be there !  And this year, don’t know if we’re in a title run, but, I have no doubt the Spartans will be on the National Stage again !

Sparty ON !!!!!