Its not a typical start to the season for Michigan State as it opens with Furman on a Friday night.The No. 12 Spartans wont see normal for a while, but the Friday Night Lights atmosphere at Spartan Stadium (7 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network) is a welcome sight. Next week coach Mark Dantonios team has a bye before hitting the road to take on Notre Dame.Dantonio prepares to enter his 10th season leading the Spartans having resurrected a program that saw almost no consistency in the preceding decades.Hes never had a losing season and has been to a bowl game every year, and in the last three seasons, Dantonio has led the Spartans to wins in the Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl, a spot in the College Football Playoffs and three straight finishes at No. 6 or higher in the national rankings.Add in three Big Ten championships and 11 or more victories in five of the last six seasons, and its clear Dantonio has established the Spartans as a national program.We can sell results, we really can, Dantonio said. We can sit there and say, This is what weve done, these are the things you can look forward to if you come to school at Michigan State. Theres opportunities for you.Thats really the difference there. Early on in the process, that was not the case. But now it seems like thats what we sell.Furman was 4-7 last season and its only game against a Power 5 school resulted in a 42-3 loss at Virginia Tech.Some believe the Spartans will see a drop-off, something critics have been predicting every year since Michigan State won a share of the Big Ten title in 2010.That doesnt mean there wont be challenges moving forward. Ohio State continues to be among the best programs in the nation and Harbaugh mania has taken over at Michigan with the presence of coach Jim Harbaugh convincing most the Wolverines have returned from their funk.And thats just the hurdles Michigan State has in the Big Ten East. Winning another division title will be tougher as the Spartans must replace quarterback Connor Cook -- the winningest quarterback in school history -- along with defensive end Shilique Calhoun Big Ten Receiver of the Year Aaron Burbridge.The conference schedule is favorable as both Michigan and Ohio State travel to Spartan Stadium late in the season. If Michigan State can continue its mastery of Michigan (winners in seven of the last eight) and keep challenging the Buckeyes (MSU is the only team to beat Urban Meyer in Big Ten play), the results will be there once again.And the rest of the conference will continue to wonder when the drop-off will come.To remain on a level plain, the Spartans need stability at quarterback.Tyler OConnor doesnt need to be Connor Cook, but it needs him to manage the Spartans pro-style offense and limit the mistakes. He was Cooks backup the last two seasons and helped orchestrate the Spartans win at Ohio State last season when Cook was out with an injured shoulder.Hes also got as much knowledge of the offense and has the respect of the players in the locker room. OConnor had plenty of chances to transfer but had his sights set on the season.To date, OConnor has one big hit on his resume -- leading the Spartans to a victory over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium last season while Cook rested a sore shoulder. But as he told teammates in his fall camp speech, he didnt stick around East Lansing to be a one-hit wonder.I cant imagine not being here after hearing things about different schools, he said. We have it great here, not only football-wise but the culture and the people and education. Theres just too much to pass up on and go somewhere else if you dont know how good it really is here. 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SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Jaleen Smith and Daniel Dion combined for 52 points -- with career-best scoring for each -- as New Hampshire rode a big second half to defeat Bryant 86-73 on Saturday.Smith, who shot 8 of 11 from the field, has scored 20 or better in six straight games. Dion sank six 3-pointers for a career best in that category also, and New Hampshire has won three in a row.The Wildcats (7-3) trailed 35-27 at halftime but exploded for 59 points on 67-percent shooting in the second half.dddddddddddd New Hampshire shot 47 percent for the game and held a 36-29 edge in rebounding with Iba Camara grabbing 10 boards.Freshman Adam Grant led Bryant with 19 points and has scored in double figures in 10 of 11 games. Marcel Pettway scored 16 for the Bulldogs (3-8) as Nisre Zouzoua and Sabastian Townes added 13 points each. Stitched Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store Wholesale Authentic Jerseys China NFL Hoodies Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Womens Jerseys ' ' '