Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: 5 players who need to step up vs. Indiana in Week 8

By Stephen Robb

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against Adekunle Ayinde #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against Adekunle Ayinde #4 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against Josiah Scott #22 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against Josiah Scott #22 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Josiah Scott was looking great for a true freshman before the Minnesota game. He did play well for a few quarters and then had some breakdowns, just like the entire Spartan defense did in the fourth quarter.

Scott has exceeded everyone’s expectations and established himself possibly the next great defensive back in East Lansing. However, he will need to step up this in this game because Indiana wide receiver Simmie Cobbs Jr. is, in my opinion, one of the best receivers in the conference.

Cobbs Jr. almost single-handedly kept the Hoosiers in the game against Ohio State. I can guarantee that the Hoosiers will go up top to him early and often in this game. They love to lob the pigskin up and let Cobbs Jr. go up and get those 50-50 balls with his outstanding leaping ability.

In fact, Cobbs Jr. almost pulled off a fantastic onside kick recovery as well as making a terrific 50-50 catch but was out of bounds against the Wolverines. If both of those plays had gone the Hoosiers’ way, then Michigan would have lost that game. Cobbs Jr can change a game in an instant.

If Scott has more breakdowns, it will be a long afternoon for Sparty. Scott will need to have his best game of his young career.

Home/Spartans Football