Michigan State Football: 5 overreactions from upset win over Penn State

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards past Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards past Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. LJ Scott doesn’t have it anymore

OK, so this isn’t even remotely true. The junior running back is one of the most athletically-gifted in the entire conference and one of the best prospects in the country, when healthy. When he’s on his game, he’s nearly impossible to stop — just ask Minnesota.

Although he’s had just one 100-yard performance this season, he did break career-highs in that game. The Golden Gophers weren’t able to slow him down and he nearly reached the 200-yard mark, picking up 194 and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

Since then, he has struggled to find running room, but that’s not all his fault. The offensive line hasn’t been opening holes in the past few games, which started with a performance against Indiana. The Hoosiers, Nittany Lions and Northwestern Wildcats were all able to slow the run game down because they clogged lanes.

Scott still has plenty of talent, but he needs to be given more pitch plays which allow him to diagnose the defensive motion and find lanes.

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