Michigan State Football: 5 things we’d like to see from Spartans in October

Michigan State football has one month of the 2018 season under its belt but October brings new, challenges. What would we like to see in October?

Though Michigan State is 3-1 through the month of September, the Spartans face some real tests against Michigan, Penn State, Purdue and Northwestern in October.

It could be the toughest month of the season for the green and white, but there’s a chance they could head to November with a 7-1 record. If that’s the case, Michigan State will have put itself in good position to make a run at the College Football Playoff as well as a Big Ten East title.

Plenty of fixes can be made within this team to turn things around and make them more than just an average Big Ten squad. Expectations haven’t changed and goals are still attainable, but it all starts with conference action this month.

Here’s what we’d like to see from the Spartans in the month of October.

5. More production from tight ends

Where are the tight ends? Michigan State has been known for utilizing tight ends over the years and it’s coming off one of the most successful four-year stints from a player at the position as Josiah Price graduated following the 2016 season.

Price left a vacant tight end position and Matt Sokol had a decent junior campaign in his place, but has just one catch for 11 yards this season and Matt Dotson, the presumed star with elite potential, has only one reception for six yards and a touchdown.

The tight ends must serve a bigger purpose than just running decoy routes but they need to actually be included in the offense.

Brian Lewerke must do a better job of getting on the same page as his tight ends and that all starts with a matchup against Northwestern.

A good tight end is a quarterback’s best friend, so let’s see if Lewerke can develop that connection this month.