Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from victory over Washington State

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans runs in a touchdown on a pass play against the Washington State Cougars during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Robert Taylor #2 of the Washington State Cougars for a touchdown during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. LJ Scott’s return proves he’s ready to be Big Ten’s best

Yes, LJ Scott announced he is coming back, and that’s terrible news for the rest of the Big Ten. No, he didn’t quite have the junior year he expected, but that’s why he believes one more season in East Lansing will get him where he needs to be as a running back.

Scott finished the season just short of 900 yards but he did finish on a strong note with 110 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries against the Cougars. He looked like a Le’Veon Bell-type runner and that’s because he had been studying the former Spartan’s film a lot lately. That could be his ticket to the NFL next season.

In fact, he showed more patience, waited for holes to open up and hit them when they did. He didn’t dance around too much, but he also didn’t run into a pile. He picked up positive yards on every carry and looked like the running back everyone expected to see when the season began.

With Scott returning, that makes him the clear starter, barring an injury, and if he makes the necessary tweaks in his game, he could be a special player for the Spartans. Coming back is the right decision for his future and he can only improve.

Home/Spartans Football