College football: Michigan State vs. Michigan - October 29, 2016

Michigan State running back L.J. Scott (3) tries to leap over Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) in the third quarter of their Big Ten football game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, October 29, 2016. Michigan won the game, 32-23.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

EAST LANSING -- There's little doubt about who the face of Michigan State's program is heading into the 2017 season.

Spartans junior running back LJ Scott currently graces the regional covers of three national college football preview magazines, available on newsstands now: Lindy's, Athlon and Street & Smith.

The annual publications provide some of the first national predictions about how college football teams will fare in 2017, from projected standings to All-Big Ten teams in more.

There's plenty more about Michigan State, the Big Ten and more in each publication, but here's a sampling of what they have to say about the Spartans in 2017:

Lindy's

National ranking: No. 48

Big Ten East prediction: No. 4

Preseason All-Big Ten: OL Brian Allen, second team; RB LJ Scott, second team

Notable quote: "There are reasons to think MSU will be considerably improved, but no reason to think 2017 will be a return to the heights this program reached regularly from 2010 to 2015."

Other: LJ Scott Ranked the No. 11 running back in the country, and third in the Big Ten behind Saquon Barkley and Justin Jackson...Brian Allen ranked the No. 6 offensive guard in the country...Scott rated "toughest to bring down" in Big Ten...Notes that Michigan State's 2017 recruiting class is "full of high-upside sleepers."

Athlon

Record Prediction: 6-6, 4-5 Big Ten

Big Ten East prediction: No. 4

Bowl prediction: Quick Lane Bowl vs. Wake Forest

Preseason All Big Ten: OL Brian Allen, first team; RB LJ Scott, second team

Notable quote: "The beginning of a new bowl streak is likely in 2017, as the rebuilding process takes shape with a number of intriguing playmakers on the roster. However, Michigan State doesn't have the proven depth or senior leadership of the championship-level teams Dantonio fielded earlier this decade."

Street & Smith

Big Ten East ranking: No. 4

Bowl prediction: Foster Farms Bowl

Preseason All Big Ten: OL Brian Allen, first team.

Notable quote: "Dantonio's methods have worked in the past, but it will be interesting to see what changes are made in an effort to get back in the Big Ten hunt."

Other: Mark Dantonio is rated the Big Ten coach with the hottest seat. "Nobody in the Big Ten is in immediate danger of being fired, but the Spartans have had trouble on and off the field in the last year," the magazine notes.