Central Michigan vs Michigan State: 5 players to watch

Oct 11, 2014; DeKalb, IL, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas tight end Ben McCord (89) makes a touchdown catch against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the third quarter at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Rush’s top target, senior tight end Ben McCord, is already having the best season of his four-year Central Michigan career. McCord has been as sure-handed as they come, catching 16 passes for 3016 yards and two touchdowns, making sure Rush has a nice safety valve on each play, especially when his offensive line allows so many sacks.

Must Read: Central Michigan vs Michigan State: Betting odds

McCord’s previous season-high for receptions was 10 as a junior, he also posted a career-high three touchdowns last season while racking up his highest number of yards, before this season, 124. He has broken out in a big way and it is doing nothing but helping Rush when he’s under pressure.

With two straight 100-yard games, including 10 catches for 147 yards last week, McCord is looking like that guy who the Spartans might have a hard time stopping, especially if the secondary is too focused on receivers.

Tight ends have been known to nickel-and-dime this MSU defense over the years for five and ten yards at a time because the ‘No Fly Zone’ has been too worried about stopping the wide outs. Expect McCord to have yet another solid game and I wouldn’t be very surprised if he was Rush’s top target again.

Next: 3. R.J. Shelton