Michigan State Football: Top 5 X-factors vs. Central Michigan in Week 5
By Stephen Robb
![TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes the football against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes the football against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9d49746cfb5c03446682723062e26d7316611e6f548d077e44f54213904289db.jpg)
Sophomore Matt Dotson is too talented not to be used.
Central Michigan is a scrappy team, but they do not have the talent at the skill positions and are young. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for MSU to force the issue with its tight ends.
Dotson needs the pigskin. He is tall, athletic and has speed at the tight end position. Essentially, he is like a big receiver and he needs this game to gain confidence.
Senior Matt Sokol has had every opportunity to lay hold of the starting job and while he experienced multiple drops it appears that quarterback Brian Lewerke has been going to just his receivers.
Lewerke has been trying to go to Dotson the first several games, but they were always on different pages. Albeit, Dotson’s touchdown grab was huge for MSU it could be the thing that he needs to step up.