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

By Connor Muldowney

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up before 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)
TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up before 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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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the football against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the football against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. A run game

Yes, you read the headline right, we would like to see a run game. Michigan State has failed to get anything going on the ground, rushing for 129 yards per game which is good for 105th nationally.

That’s not exactly what you’d expect to see from a Mark Dantonio-led Michigan State team, but he has no choice but to keep churning away when the offensive line is struggling. He can’t just abandon the run because teams will figure out the Spartans are one-dimensional, and that’s not exactly their style of play.

The backfield is loaded with talent from LJ Scott all the way to Weston Bridges and even Elijah Collins — though he has yet to get a shot — but the offensive line is making it impossible to establish the run to set up the pass. If none of these guys can’t average more than 5.0 yards per carry, you know it’s not their fault.

Scott needs to get healthy and the Spartans must establish a run game, getting back to the basics. No, we aren’t asking for 300 yards rushing per game, but anything over 150 yards per contest would be more than ideal.

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