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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) /
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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) /

LJ Scott looked fantastic against the Golden Gophers. He was smooth and used his speed to pull away from the defenders. However, the fumble in the second half was troubling and it’s something that is apparent that he will continue to struggle with. He is a risk verses reward type player.

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On a side note it is this issue with fumbling that will prevent him from being a high NFL pick. It is my opinion that he would do well to stay for his senior season and prove to scouts that he can hold onto the pigskin. Otherwise this first round NFL talent will be a fifth or sixth round pick or an undrafted prospect.

Scott is the straw that stirs this MSU run game’s drink. Indiana has a much-improved defense to go along with its explosive offense. The Spartans’ game plan will be ‘pound green pound.’

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Why? The best defense is a great running game. Mark Dantonio will look to keep Indiana’s offense off the field with long time-draining drives. However they must get points on these long drives. They will need him to do his best Jeremy Langford imitation and break off some game-clinching runs to break this feisty Indiana team’s spirit.

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