Central Michigan vs Michigan State: 5 players to watch for

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Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Call it poor blocking, blame it on too many Air Force defenders stacked in the box or just make another excuse for why Michigan State’s run game suffered last week, but one thing is for sure: that kind of showing won’t fly in Big Ten play.

Must Read: Air Force vs. Michigan State: Grading the Spartans’ performance

Averaging just 1.8 yards per game against an Air Force squad which allowed San Jose State to record 7.5 yards per carry the week before just may have been the product of a stacked box to stop the usually-potent MSU rushing attack, but the adjustments weren’t made to counteract that.

It seemed like every time, Michigan State tried to run between the tackles and couldn’t find any daylight, so the Spartan running backs went about a yard before turning into a cloud of dust.

L.J. Scott will be looked at in this one to really help jumpstart the run game again. He had just 11 carries for 23 yards — 53 yards off his next lowest total. He has played in just three career games at MSU, but has already showed the type of promise that people were hoping for.

Scott could really be playing for a starting gig as he’s been listed as the ‘OR’ on the depth chart at running back with Madre London. Look for a possible breakout performance and a first-career 100-yard game from Scott.

Next: Central Michigan vs. MSU: 5 bold predictions

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