Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will beat Washington 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) /

4 of 5

PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 25: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans rolls out against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during their game on November 25, 2017 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

2. Brian Lewerke’s dual-threat ability

While Washington State’s defense has been much-improved this season thanks to coordinator Alex Grich, the Cougars have struggled a bit against dual-threat quarterbacks. They gave up nearly 150 yards to Khalil Tate of Arizona on the ground and allowed Utah’s Tyler Huntley to lead the Utes in rushing during that matchup.

Brian Lewerke isn’t quite on the level of Tate and might be as good of a rusher as Huntley — or close to him — but that doesn’t mean he won’t cause problems for the Cougars. He has the ability to keep a defense on its toes and threaten with his arm as well as his legs.

There’s one thing Lewerke possesses that Tate didn’t quite have against the Cougars and that’s the ability to sling the ball all over the field. While Tate is improving in that regard, Lewerke has shown the ability to beat defenses with his arm as well as his legs. He’s a legitimate dual-threat.

Washington State has to figure out a way to defend against 4-5 talented receivers and a quarterback who can get it to each one of them as well as tuck the ball and run with it. It’s not going to be an easy day for the Cougars.

Home/Spartans Football