Michigan State Football: 5 reasons to remain optimistic about 2018

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: (L-R) Khari Willis #27, Brian Lewerke #14, Joe Bachie #35, David Dowell #6 and basketball head coach Mike Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans walk out to mid field for the coin toss to the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against Josiah Scott #22 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

3. Josiah Scott return will bolster secondary, boost defense

The secondary has been getting carved up over the first couple weeks of the season. Most of that has been due to the poor safety play but as long as Khari Willis, David Dowell and Matt Morrissey can step their games up, the rest will take care of itself.

The bright spots have been at cornerback, which is a surprise given the fact that Josiah Scott has been out for the first two games, and potentially more.

The good news? He’s coming back sooner rather than later and he’s an All-Big Ten talent.

Justin Layne has been playing well and locked down N’Keal Harry, for the most part, in Week 2. Josh Butler struggled in the opener against Utah State, but bounced back to have a nice game against the Sun Devils.

Scott is going to return soon to add depth to the secondary and make it so the safeties’ weaknesses aren’t as pronounced as they have been.

With Scott back, the defense will take major strides forward.

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