New Michigan State coach Mel Tucker saddled with Big Ten's toughest schedule

This was likely going to be a rebuilding football season as it was at Michigan State with Mark Dantonio surprisingly stepping down in February as the winningest coach in school history as well as three-year starting quarterback Brian Lewerke graduating. But it could really be a rough year in East Lansing for new coach Mel Tucker (formerly of Colorado) with Sparty having the toughest schedule in the Big Ten per CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli.

While most Power 5 schools schedule at least one cupcake out of conference, that's not the case for Michigan State as it will visit BYU on Sept. 12 and host Toledo (annually one of the Mid-American Conference's top programs) on Sept. 19 and Miami (Fla.) on Sept. 26.

Of course, the Spartans play every Big Ten East Division school – i.e. powerhouses Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan – and face both Iowa and rising Minnesota from the West. About the only free pass on the slate is a Nov. 21 home matchup against Rutgers.

Tucker already was at a huge disadvantage being hired so late in the process, and he didn't even get to have a single spring practice before things where shut down due to the coronavirus. Tucker is set to welcome back just 10 starters from last year's disappointing 7-6 club, seven on offense.

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Redshirt junior Rocky Lombardi likely takes over for Lewerke under center. Lombardi has played 16 games in his collegiate career and started three. He hasn't been very accurate, completing 33.3 percent of his passes in 2019 and 44.2 percent the year before.

It's certainly no lock that Lombardi wins the job – although a lack of spring ball would seem to favor him -- over redshirt sophomore Theo Day or redshirt freshman Payton Thorne. Day has attempted all of three passes in his NCAA career and Thorne none. Throne was ranked the No. 16 dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2019 by sister site 247Sports.

Michigan State is +5000 on the William Hill sportsbook moneyline odds to win the Big Ten title. Win totals aren't out yet but MSU likely will be at 4.5.