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Michigan State Football: 5 keys to victory vs. Minnesota in Week 7

By Stephen Robb

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football takes on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday evening. Here are five keys to a Spartan victory.

Minnesota has traditionally been that mid-level Big Ten team that has given the Spartans a tough matchup. While the Golden Gophers are banged up, they will play hard because of their coach PJ Fleck. The former coach of Western Michigan was always a tough out for Mark Dantonio.

The Spartans last lost to Minnesota in 2009 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kirk Cousins was the quarterback and Sparty lost a wild game, 42-34. Now a Michigan State team led by a quarterback who is drawing comparisons to Kirk Cousins visits Minnesota. The Spartans are young like they were in 2009, however, this MSU team has different swagger this time around.

This Spartan team knocked off the No. 7 team in the nation last weekend. Mark Dantonio is not one to rest on his laurels. He will certainly have his team ready to go come kickoff. Brian Lewerke has been improving and the defense is certainly up to the challenge.

Here are five keys to victory for MSU.

5. The run game must heat up

Mark Dantonio has been hinting all week about the running back. Look for MSU to get these part of the offense clicking on Saturday. Dantonio has said he will “ride the hot hand” and this can only mean that each of the three running backs will get at least one series to see what they can do.

Personally, I believe Dantonio held LJ Scott out of the Michigan to get him ready for this week. He is talented and he has typically tends to get off to slow starts to his seasons.

This could be the game that gets the running game going. If it doesn’t, then the Spartans may not be able to compete much in November. The theme for Saturday night will be “pound green pound.”

However, offensive coordinator Dave Warner will mix up the offensive pro set with some RPOs (run-pass-options). The ground attack should be able to get going on this Golden Gopher team.

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