Air Force vs Michigan State: 5 players who need to step up

Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Bralon Addison (2) stiff arms Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

4. Demetrious Cox

After a somewhat-shaky week one performance against Western Michigan’s potent passing attack, junior safety-turned-cornerback Demetrious Cox stepped up in week two to assist in taking down Oregon at home with seven total tackles and two pass deflections.

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Michigan State’s secondary used to be called the ‘No Fly Zone,’ but it has gotten a bad rap so far this season, allowing over 300 yards through the air per game, albeit Zach Terrell and Vernon Adams are worthy adversaries who can both air it out when need be.

However, last week, the secondary played great against the long ball, holding Adams to only a couple of passes past 10-15 yards, but struggled against the numerous screens.

Although we are going into just the third week that all of these guys have been playing together as a unit — three are first-year starters — there is still so much promise within this group.

Cox has switched positions, but that doesn’t give him a pass on his sometimes lax coverage. The play-calling is not his fault, but it’s not just the coverage that is causing me to put him on this list, it’s also the poor tackling which has been exhibited.

Next: 3. RJ Williamson