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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans can still win Big Ten title

By Connor Muldowney

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 26: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball past John Reid #29 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter on November 26, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 26: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball past John Reid #29 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter on November 26, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans high-steps into the end zone to score against the Indiana Hoosiers on an 18-yard run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans high-steps into the end zone to score against the Indiana Hoosiers on an 18-yard run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

4. Run game can’t be stymied for much longer

We say this nearly every week, but the Spartans rushing attack can’t be held down for much longer. There’s just too much talent on the offensive line and in the backfield to be held in check in the fashion that Michigan State has been.

LJ Scott has had his ups and downs this season ranging from lost fumbles at the 1-yard line to 194-yard performances on 25 carries. He can be one of the best running backs in the conference if he can just find consistency, but he needs to be able to trust that offensive line and, in turn, they need to open up the lanes for the talented back.

Michigan State couldn’t find any running room against Northwestern and the same could be said against teams like Michigan, Indiana and Iowa. There’s no way the amount of talent on this team in the backfield and on the line will allow it to be stuffed at the line of scrimmage for the entire year.

Heck, it’s only a matter of time before the run game finds consistency. If that’s true, the remaining opponents for MSU should be on notice.

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