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Michigan State Football: Top 5 overreactions from first month of 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 31-20 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 31-20 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is stopped on a fourht down rush by linebacker Joe Bachie #35 and defensive end Jack Camper #91 of the Michigan State Spartans 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: Quarterback Manny Wilkins #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is stopped on a fourht down rush by linebacker Joe Bachie #35 and defensive end Jack Camper #91 of the Michigan State Spartans 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) /

4. Run defense hasn’t faced a ground game with a pulse yet

Michigan State’s run defense is good, but it’s only faced inferior opponents with little to know talent in the backfield, right? Wrong.

Not only has Michigan State faced some talented backs, but the Spartans have had the tall order of trying to stymy dual-threat quarterbacks. Manny Wilkins, Jordan Love, Peyton Ramsey and Tommy Lazzaro all have the ability to run, yet the Spartans have held opponents to an average of just 40 yards per game.

Moreover, Arizona State’s Eno Benjamin has a 300-yard rushing game to his name this season. Utah State has had two 100-yard rushers and Stevie Scott of Indiana had rushed for 200 yards and 100 yards in the two weeks prior to the matchup with MSU.

The teams Michigan State has played may not be elite, but the run games of those opponents have been decent, along with having dual-threat quarterbacks.

Michigan State has an elite run defense, and that could show against teams like Michigan and Penn State this month.

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