MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

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As opposed to last year's opener against University of Alabama-Birmingham – a 55-18 Michigan State victory – the Spartans begin this season with a tough road game against a very solid Cal Bears squad.

While it won't be easy, the advantage, says head coach Mark Dantonio, is the players and coaches can find out right away if they can rise to the challenge.

"Last year, we tiered-up as we went into our non-conference games," Dantonio says during his weekly Big Ten teleconference, "and sort of got a more difficult game every week, and built confidence there, and ended up 4-0. I think this is a different situation.

AP File PhotoMichigan State is making sure all eyes are on senior running back Javon Ringer, who rushed for 1,447 yards and six touchdowns in 2007.

EAST LANSNG -- If you received a solicitation to buy season tickets for Michigan State football, it likely was accompanied by a schedule superimposed on a vivid photograph of running back Javon Ringer.

A glossy advertising insert promoting DirecTV and the Big Ten Network practically jumped out of the newspaper earlier this week because of the oversized shot of Ringer running right at you.

Ringer is featured prominently on the MSU media guide cover, on various preseason magazines and mobile billboards roving the Lansing area.

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Unlike the Michigan State football team, I felt it was necessary to arrive at the game site early to get acclimated.

And, let me tell you, whoa Nellie, it's hot. Right now, it's like 96 degrees and 99 is forecast for tomorrow (Thursday).

What I found interesting is that the folks at the hotel are saying it's unseasonably hot, and they aren't liking it too much.

AP File PhotoKevin Riley, left, has been named California's starting quarterback.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State should discover rather quickly what kind of football team it has the potential to become.

The Spartans also could get a rude awakening in terms of how much work needs to be done before they measure up.

During his first weekly press conference of the season Tuesday, coach Mark Dantonio indicated Saturday's 8 p.m. season opener at California has a litmus test quality about it.

EAST LANSING -- The Michigan State Spartans are aligned for battle in Saturday's 8 p.m. season opener at California.

The two-deep roster, unveiled at Tuesday's initial game-week press conference of the season, had a few mild surprises.

Former tight end and ex-fullback Dwayne "Da Da" Holmes, a fifth-year senior, has cracked the playing group as a defensive end and could even start ahead of senior Brandon Long, who is nursing a few bumps and bruises left over from preseason camp. The situation similar on the other side of the line where transfer Trevor Anderson, who also is a little nicked up, will likely share time with sophomore Colin Neely.

AP PhotoMichigan State head coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans look to keep the momentum going after last season's surprising 7-6 finish.

STORIES:

• Spartans QB Hoyer knows he must be clutch

• Positional breakdown: Offensive line key for MSU

• Jones, Anderson anchor Spartans' defense

COLUMNS:

• Beardsley: Pistons coach Curry lends advice to Spartan son

AP File PhotoMichigan State's Brian Hoyer had a strong season statistically in 2007, but the Spartans still lost six games by seven points or fewer.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State's Brian Hoyer put up some impressive numbers last season, but to be considered a truly outstanding quarterback he has to become the difference-maker in close games.

It's a curious dynamic of looking forward to bad things happening so something even better can come out of it, sort of like a mountain climber hoping to get caught in an avalanche to validate his survival skills.

"Don't get me wrong," Hoyer said. "I would rather win by three touchdowns than have to have it come down to the end, but as coach (Mark) Dantonio mentions, that's when big-time quarterbacks are built."

AP File PhotoGreg Jones lead Michigan State with 78 tackles last season.

EAST LANSING -- If Greg Jones is the old "new" face of the Michigan State defense, then Trevor Anderson is the new "old" face.

Jones, who burst onto the scene with a standout 2007 season as a freshman, will lead the Spartans defense from either the middle or weak-side linebacker position despite his youth.

Anderson, a redshirt junior with 21 college starts under his belt, is eligible to return to the playing field since transferring from Cincinnati last year.

EAST LANSING -- Teammates indicate they are looking out for one another by saying, "I've got your back."

But Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer is making darn sure that Rocco Cironi understands the reciprocal nature of the verbal compact.

"Hoyer reminds me every day that I've got his back," said Cironi, who is expected to start at left tackle.

Deon Curry

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State wideout Mark Dell would love to take all the credit for the 20 receptions, 220 yards and two touchdowns he grabbed last season as a true freshman.

But Dell gives credit where he says it is due -- to fellow Spartans wide receiver Deon Curry.

"Deon is just a cool guy, a very down-to-earth guy who all the receivers call coach," Dell said. "Not because of his dad, but because he has so much experience. He knows what the coaches expect and he just knows the game.