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Michigan State spring football practice preview for 2017. The Spartans are coming off a disastrous season and are facing legal problems as they prepare to hit the field Feb. 25.

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Going from a College Football Playoff appearance to 3-9 in less than a year’s time was a shocking turn of events for a Michigan State football program that’s been extremely successful under head coach Mark Dantonio’s watch. The Spartans won at least 11 games in five of the previous six seasons and earned Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl victories during that stretch, then finished just 1-8 in Big Ten play in 2016.

Why the sudden drop-off? It was a combination of things. Spotty quarterback play after the loss of Connor Cook, who won more games than any signal caller in Michigan State history, was part of it. Injuries on both sides of the ball didn’t help, either.

Now the Spartans are heading into 2017 with distractions stemming from a sexual assault allegation involving multiple players and the team’s top recruiter. Simply, Dantonio’s job isn’t getting any easier any time soon.

Here are three storylines to watch as Michigan State spring football practice starts on Saturday.

Michigan State Spring Football Practice Storylines

1. Legal problems

Michigan State announced earlier this month that three players and one staff member have been suspended as the school investigates a sexual assault claim filed in January. The players haven’t yet been identified, but MSU has since confirmed recruiting coordinator Curtis Blackwell has been suspended with pay for his alleged involvement.

Dantonio has yet to speak publicly on the matter as of early Friday, leaving a dark cloud hanging over spring practice. Eventually, the players will be named and there’s the obvious possibility that they could be key contributors. This is something that has the potential to haunt the Spartans all season long.

2. The quarterback battle

Tyler O’Connor finally was given the reigns his senior season but was mainly a disappointment. He was benched and injured, with Brian Lewerke and Damion Terry getting opportunities to play. Neither stood out any more than O’Connor, and Lewerke suffered a season-ending injury.

Now O’Connor is gone, leaving Lewerke and Terry to battle it out for the starting job. They combined for three touchdowns and two interceptions with Lewerke playing four games and Terry seven. Lewerke is a pocket passer – like Cook and O’Connor before him – while Terry can uses his feet more often.

No matter who wins the job, the Spartans are going to need better production from the quarterback spot in 2017.

3. Can the Spartans bounce back?

The Spartans relished in the consistency of having Cook under center and struggled when the inexperienced O’Connor took over. They’re hoping to avoid that again this coming season when they’re in a similar situation. It’s no secret Michigan State will focus on running the ball with L.J. Scott, Gerald Holmes and Madre London, but the passing game will be needed.

Beyond that, the offensive line will undergo a major overhaul again, and guard Brian Allen – easily the top returning lineman – might have to shift to center. Defensive lineman Malik McDowell and safety Montae Nicholson declared early for the NFL Draft, and gone are linebackers Riley Bullough and Ed Davis to graduation.

But a new-look team might not be such a bad thing coming off a 3-9 season.

Michigan State spring football practice concludes on Saturday, April 1 with the annual Green & White Game.

MORE: Big Ten Football Predictions, Storylines For 2017