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Michigan State Football: 5 players who need to step up vs. Michigan in Week 6

By Michael Briggs

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Brandon Sowards #15 and running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans take the field before the college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Brandon Sowards #15 and running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans take the field before the college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 29: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a fortth quarter pass behind Mike McCray #9 of the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 29: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a fortth quarter pass behind Mike McCray #9 of the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Brian Lewerke QB

Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State Spartans /

Scouting Report

This is unquestionably the biggest test in Brian Lewerke’s young collegiate career. While the redshirt sophomore had a coming out of sorts against Michigan last season before breaking his leg, he’s never played in an atmosphere like the one he will experience Saturday night.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 reasons Spartans can beat Michigan

A cool head and confident demeanor will be necessary for MSU to have any shot in this one. His performance under the lights two weeks ago against Notre Dame was disappointing, but that experience should help him the second time around.

Michigan State does not need Lewerke to throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns to beat Michigan. It does, however, need him to make smart decisions with the football and be enough of a threat that the Wolverines cannot stack the box every play. That said, when plays break down, Lewerke cannot tuck the ball and run every time. He needs to be able to keep the play alive and find an open receiver, too.

Next: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Michigan

There’s a fine line between making intelligent decisions and being too afraid of turning the ball over. If Lewerke can walk that tightrope, Michigan State has a good shot at returning the Paul Bunyan Trophy to East Lansing.

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