Michigan State Football: 5 breakout candidates vs. Bowling Green

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 12: A wide view of Spartan Stadium during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at on November 12, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Knights 49-0. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 12: A wide view of Spartan Stadium during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at on November 12, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Knights 49-0. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 19: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with his teammates during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on November 19, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 19: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with his teammates during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on November 19, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Joe Bachie, standing 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds from Brook Park, Ohio, is the new man in the middle for MSU. He is a gritty, athletic and tough middle linebacker. He flies to the ball and has the wits to diagnose plays.

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Mark Dantonio has said before that Joe is able to “bench in the neighborhood of 400 pounds and can run a 4.5 something.” Dantonio has also called him a “playmaker for us.” This is the game Spartan fans will get to see what Dantonio and company have been witnessing in practice.

Bachie is the Quarterback of the defense and will be leaned on heavily as they face a Falcon offense that is evolving under second year head coach Mike Jinks. Bowling Green wants to run the football and Joe must ensure that the Falcons have three and outs.

However, Joe will have veterans like Senior Chris Frey and Junior Andrew Dowell alongside him. I see this Spartan linebacking core to continue to be a strength for the program. Joe will be all over the field come Saturday and will be a linebacker the rest of the Big Ten will be taking note of.