Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions for November 2017

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against defensive back Chase Dutra #30 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/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) /

3. LJ Scott (finally) bounces back

The Minnesota game was supposed to be LJ Scott’s coming out party. He rushed for a career-high 194 yards and two touchdowns while toting the rock 25 times. However, he has been able to barely surpass the 100-yard total in the two games since despite having 30 carries.

Against Indiana, he had just 87 yards on 22 touches and versus Northwestern, he had 16 yards on eight carries. It’s tough to understand just how and why the running game is struggling with so much talent on the offensive line as well as the backfield.

Scott will finally bounce back to end the season although he won’t touch the 1,000-yard plateau — he will need a bowl game to do that. He’s going to average about 100 yards per game by himself, putting him over 900 yards by the end of the regular season.

While Ohio State has the 10th-ranked run defense, the Spartans are going to try and establish the ground game. Penn State’s run defense ranks 27th, Maryland is 68th and Rutgers is 85th. Something’s got to give.

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