Michigan State Football: 5 things that must happen for Penn State upset

1. Getting Brian Lewerke his confidence back

This one is much easier said than done.

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At the beginning of the season, it seemed like Brian Lewerke was playing with a swagger and a sense of confidence, but as soon as the Spartans lost to Arizona State, it seemingly disappeared. Over the last three games, the junior quarterback has just looked off and has lacked that confidence.

Michigan State must get him back to his old ways and that starts with throwing short routes early on to give him some confidence against the Nittany Lion defense and even mix in some RPOs where he tucks and runs with the ball. If he can do that and get some yards on the ground as well as through the air, the rest will take care of itself.

Against Penn State last season, Lewerke looked the best he has ever had as I believe it was the most impressive game of his career. He knows how to beat the Nittany Lions as he’s 1-0 against them and needs to do exactly what he did last season to gain that confidence back.

Even watching film of last year’s 400-yard performance in the upset of the Nittany Lions could do wonders for the starting quarterback who has seemingly gotten the yips.

Slow the game down, hit the tight ends, hit running backs out of the backfield, trust Felton Davis III on 50-50 balls and everything will get back to normal.

Getting the confidence back in Lewerke could be this team’s key to a major turnaround — and an upset in Happy Valley.