Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

CHICAGO -- Welcome back to the Hyatt Regency, where interviews start in just a few minutes. Day 2 should bring a lot more variety, as players like Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams and Wisconsin tight end Travis Beckum meet with the media. Before looking ahead, here's one final scene from Day 1.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio had left the dais and started answering questions in the hallway outside when a staff member brought him some water. But as he went in for a swig, water started spilling onto the carpet from a gash in the side of the cup.

It was a fitting image for the Spartans, who enter the 2008 season with their glasses full after an encouraging first year under Dantonio. Michigan State is the chic pick to be this season's Illinois, as it returns standout running back Javon Ringer from a team that didn't lose a game by more than a touchdown last fall.

"We're on first base trying to get to second," said Dantonio, who recently threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Detroit Tigers game. "First base was a bowl game for us. It's important to take a step forward, not a step back."

But as history has shown in East Lansing, success can disappear in flash, and the Spartans could be feeling empty by November without improvement in several areas. Michigan State must replace wide receiver Devin Thomas, arguably the league's most dangerous player last season, as well as premier pass rusher Jonal Saint-Dic.

The fall begins with a road game against Cal. Michigan State's nonleague slate also features Sun Belt champion Florida Atlantic and an improved Notre Dame team. Despite the rough opening, Dantonio is setting the bar high.

"Our goal will be to win a Big Ten championship this year," he said. "Last year our goal was to go to a bowl game, and we were able to accomplish that, so Spartan Nation is exited, and that's the way it should be."