Air Force vs Michigan State: 5 Spartans who will be X-factors
Oct 11, 2014; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) runs through the tackle of Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Anthony Brown (9)at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday’s Air Force vs Michigan State game is quickly approaching and it’s only a matter of time before the two squads take the field on a potentially-rainy afternoon in East Lansing. Spartan Stadium might not be as rowdy as it was a week ago against Oregon, but the Spartans will try to deliver the same kind of effort to improve to 3-0 on the year.
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Michigan State moved up to No. 4 in the weekly polls, both Coaches and AP, and even stole a couple first-place votes from Ohio State — the first time this season in which a team not named Ohio State received a first-place selection.
Head coach Mark Dantonio is on a warpath to the College Football Playoff and he will do anything to help his team ‘reach higher’ and achieve its ultimate goal of winning a national championship — something that hasn’t been done in East Lansing since Lyndon B. Johnson was president.
The right pieces are in place and a few adjustments need to be made on the fly all season long, but this team has what it takes to make a serious run at a championship and Coach D knows that. Despite losing guys like Tony Lippett, Keith Mumphery, Trae Waynes, Kurtis Drummond, Marcus Rush and Jeremy Langford from last year’s team, the Spartans are as talented as ever.
Every team has its own X-factors for success each week, but who are the five Spartans who have the greatest impact on the outcome of Saturday’s game against the Falcons? I’ll try not to pick the obvious one in Connor Cook.
Next: 5. Shilique Calhoun