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EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State enters the 12th season of the head coach Mark Dantonio era in 2018 ranked No. 11 in the Associated Press Preseason Poll, released on Monday.

The Spartans closed last season with a 10-3 record and finished No. 15 in the AP Poll, the seventh AP Top 25 finish under Dantonio (No. 24 in 2008, No. 14 in 2010, No. 11 in 2011, No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015).

Since 1950, Michigan State has appeared in the Preseason AP Poll on 31 occasions, including six times under Dantonio (No. 17 in 2011, No. 13 in 2012, No. 8 in 2014, No. 5 in 2015, No. 12 in 2016, No. 11 in 2018).

Three of MSU’s 2018 opponents are ranked in the AP Preseason Poll: No. 5 Ohio State, No. 10 Penn State and No. 14 Michigan.

Michigan State returns 19 position starters, tied for most in the nation, and 48 letterwinners in 2018.

The Spartans were ranked No. 12 in the Preseason Amway Coaches Poll, released Aug. 2.

The MSU football team opens the 2018 season against Utah State on Friday, Aug. 31 in Spartan Stadium at 7 p.m.