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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons MSU will be better than Michigan in 2018

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first quarter turn over by the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first quarter turn over by the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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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)
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) /

2. Better offensive weapons

While Michigan State returns 19 starters, another advantage for the Spartans would be the proven weapons on the offensive side of the ball.

Michigan just doesn’t have that type of returning production. 

At receiver, the Wolverines caught a total of nine touchdown passes, though some of that was on the quarterbacks’ lack of consistency, but the dropped passes plagued the corps. Felton Davis III caught nine touchdown passes on his own and he has All-Big Ten freshman Cody White as well as do-it-all slot receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. as receiver mates.

Tight end will also be a strength for the Spartans and a question mark for the Wolverines. Michigan State has Matt Sokol starting after recording 22 receptions for over 200 yards last season along with the much-hyped Matt Dotson at backup and highly-touted freshman Trenton Gillison in that rotation as well.

Lastly, at running back, the Wolverines have a nice one-two punch with Karan Higdon and Chris Evans, but most would rather have LJ Scott. His backups are inexperienced, but Connor Heyward has potential and Weston Bridges is surprising in fall camp along with La’Darius Jefferson.

The Spartans have the better weapons on this side of the ball heading into the season.

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