I've been having heated debates with friends over the past month or so about the prospects for our alma mater, Michigan State, this football season.

Everyone seems to believe the team will be world beaters this season and finish with 9 or 10 wins (NOT including a bowl game). They have the right to believe the team will build off its success from last season, when it finished 9-3 and played in its first New Year's Day game since the 2000 then-Citrus Bowl.

They see the improved defense - led by preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Greg Jones - that features nine starters who are juniors or seniors.

They see our special teams, led by one of the best kickers in the nation, senior Brent Swenson.

They also see a schedule that, right now, features only three games against ranked opponents. All of which are about a month a part. And two of those (Oct. 24 vs. Iowa and Nov. 21 vs. Penn State) are home games. There are also games against teams (Wisconsin and Northwestern) that are set to take a step back from the success they had last season, and two games against in-state opponents that should be cakewalks.

I, however, sit on the other side of the fence.

I know I'm gonna get killed for this, but I think MSU this season will be a middle-of-the-road Big Ten team in 2009.

The offense lost 97 percent of its rushing yards when Javon Ringer left East Lansing last spring. What makes the loss even worse is that no other back on the roster showed anything that led coaches, or fans, to believe there was an heir to the starting halfback throne.

A look at the depth chart lists redshirt Freshman Caulton Ray as the starter and two true freshmen (highly-touted backs Edwin Baker and Larry Caper, respectively) as his back-ups. Now-senior A.J. Jimmerson and sophomore Andre Anderson were supposed to take the reins; but Jimmerson is listed only as a kick returner, while Anderson isn't even mentioned on the depth chart. Sure, the O-Line will open up some holes for the young guys, but how much of a groove can you get into as a back when you're in for three plays, then out for two or three series?

Although his numbers weren't spectacular, the loss of senior quarterback Brian Hoyer could be a big one, as well. I don't doubt the skill and talent of sophomore Kirk Cousins (listed as the starter on the depth chart) or transfer Keith Nichol. They'll have a packed house pulling for them in 7 of the team's 12 regular season contests, but what happens in a tight spot on the road? Will they fold under the pressure? The quarterback battle, according to coach Mark Dantonio, will continue throughout the season, as both signal-callers will get PT.

The QBs have several targets to hit; and, hopefully, the wideouts perform better than last year, when they recorded several drops in some key spots. I just don't see all that adding up to a huge year for MSU.

I think 2010 is the year MSU makes the jump and challenges for the Big Ten Title and what would be its first Rose Bowl berth in 23 years.

Yes, there will be more talent on the roster in 2009, but it's young talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

So 7-5 is the mark for MSU in 2009. But I wouldn't be upset if I end up being wrong.

Check back for game-by-game predictions for the Spartans.