Michigan State Football: 5 breakout candidates vs. Michigan in Week 6

The rivalry continues this Saturday at the Big House. Can Michigan State football get another win in the series? Here are five breakout candidates.

Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s compared to the last 10 years, it has been a tale of two completely different Michigan State football programs. Mark Dantonio has achieved something many coaches were unable to do, even the likes of Nick Saban.

The Spartans have been competitive even with the upper-tier of the Big Ten. Saturday’s game against Michigan represents another test for this program. Can they prove that despite the disastrous 2016 campaign that this 2017 team belongs in the talk of East Division contention?

Michigan State has been up and down both offensively (more so) and defensively. It must face a stout Michigan defensive that will be pinning its ears back and coming after Brian Lewerke. It’s vital they establish a run game in order to have an opportunity to pull off the upset in the Big House. This rivalry has in the past meant more to Michigan but Dantonio has made it personal and MSU has owned it since he arrived.

Here are five players who could break out during Saturday’s game.

Joe Bachie is the new man in the middle for the Spartans. He turned in one of the better performances from the middle linebacker position that I had seen since Max Bullough against Iowa. He was all over the field and got excellent penetration on the Iowa Hawkeyes’ front. Bachie had a key fumble recovery from Nathan Stanley that prevented a critical Iowa score.

Bachie and the Spartan defense was alive last Saturday and it was fun to watch. The offense could not do much in the second half and the defense, led by Bachie, carried them.

Michigan quarterback John O’Korn is elusive and a decent passer, and Michigan State will need to be disciplined to stop him on third downs. Bachie is the quarterback of the defense and he will need to have another excellent performance to power the Spartans to a win.