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Michigan State Football: 5 most important players vs. Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans rolls out to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans rolls out to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Michigan comes to town on Saturday afternoon and Michigan State football has some important players who could make a difference in the outcome.

It’s officially hate week. The Spartans and Michigan Wolverines are heading into one of the biggest games in the rivalry’s history with Big Ten East positioning on the line.

Michigan has won six straight games after an opening loss to Notre Dame and Michigan State is coming its biggest win of the season over No. 8 Penn State in Happy Valley. The Spartans are looking to win their ninth game against the Wolverines since Mark Dantonio has taken over while Jim Harbaugh is hoping to pull even at 2-2 against the Spartans.

This game is important and the only way the Spartans win is if these five players step up and have big games against Michigan.

Who are the five most important players for the Spartans against Michigan?

5. Tyler Hunt

Not many people realize just how important Tyler Hunt is. The freshman is a former placekicker who took the No. 1 punter job after Jake Hartbarger went down with a leg injury against Arizona State.

In the weeks that followed that injury, the field position battle hasn’t quite leaned in the Spartans’ favor because Hunt isn’t the same level of punter that Hartbarger was. He doesn’t have the same hang-time on his punts nor is he an expert at coffin-cornering the ball so opponents have to go 90-plus yards for a score.

The field position battle will be crucial on Saturday in a defensive battle so yes, Hunt is one of the most important Spartans who’ll take the field against the Wolverines. It’d be hard to argue to the contrary.

Hunt will need to have his best game of the year if the Spartans are going to win the field position battle and force the Wolverines into some long drives.

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