EAST LANSING - Michigan State football players caught a break after their Cotton Bowl victory, but unlike a typical Spartan student, just one week later they were back to the grind.

In January, the football team works 8 hours a week with the staff. This gives the athletes a chance to ease into and take control of their classes for the winter semester. The winter semester is when most football players choose to do the bulk of their school credits.

By February, the football players' workload goes up to 20 hours to train for the upcoming season.

Balancing football with an education, athletes are given help through staff and peers to help them along a strenuous few months.