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5. Michigan State
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State had a rough 2012 season under Mark Dantonio's expectations, but this isn't the first time the head coach endured a tough season and came back to have an even better year following the bad year. In 2009, Michigan State finished 6-7 and barely reached a bowl game, but in 2010, the Spartans came back to win 11 games and come one game short of the Rose Bowl. The Spartans probably won't have as successful of a year in 2013, but with Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin missing from their schedule, a three-loss season isn't out of the question. Not to mention they return 15 starters from a year ago and have the sixth-best recruiting class in the conference, highlighted by four-star dual-threat quarterback Damion Terry.