Michigan State lost out on one blue-chip target late in the recruiting process when Flint running back Mark Ingram Jr. choose Alabama over MSU. The Tide, of course, are led by former Spartan coach Nick Saban, who happens to be one of MSU coach Mark Dantonio's mentors.

Dantonio said he harbors no ill will towards Saban for pursuing and signing Ingram. Alabama was one of the last schools in on Ingram, whose father played at MSU.

"No, absolutely not," Dantonio said when asked if his friendship with Saban had been affected by Ingram's recruitment. "This is business and you handle your business. (Oklahoma coach) Bobby Stoops is a very, very good friend of mine. We were involved with that (when quarterback Keith Nichol de-committed from MSU and signed with the Sooners last year)."