Mark Dantonio made a tongue-in-cheek reference during spring practice to installing the option this year, and somehow it took hold nationally.

"I even saw it in a (preseason) publication," Dantonio said.

To be clear, MSU has no plans of redesigning its offense. Dantonio is a pro-style coach and always will be, though with two dual-threat options at quarterback in Keith Nichol and Kirk Cousins, the Spartans have added some elements to their playbook.

"Our quarterbacks, they need to be able to create plays when things break down," Dantonio said. "Sometimes people make it with their quick decision-making. Other guys make it with their wheels, their legs. Other guys make it with a little bit of the offense tailored to them. We'll run the same offense for both quarterbacks."

VIDEO: KEITH NICHOL AND KIRK COUSINS COMPETITION

Redshirt sophomores, Nichol and Cousins enter fall camp on equal ground in the race to replace Brian Hoyer under center.

Nichol spent last year running the scout team after transferring from Oklahoma - he originally committed to MSU under John L. Smith, but signed with the Sooners after Smith was fired - while Cousins played well but sparingly behind Hoyer. He completed 32-of-43 passes for 310 yards last year and played a designed series in MSU's Capital One Bowl loss to Georgia.

Dantonio said he expects both quarterbacks to play early this year, and is confident either can take MSU to its third straight bowl game.

"They're both excellent athletes, they both have size, they've both been in the system before," Dantonio said. "I think both those guys have a tremendous upside."

Dave Birkett covers the University of Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com