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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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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can’t make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can’t make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. Justin Layne

Michigan’s receiving corps have been much-improved this season, led by Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins, though there is a major drop-off from the Wolverines’ top three receivers (including tight end Zach Gentry who leads the team) and the No. 4 receiver.

Justin Layne will be pegged with guarding Michigan’s best receiver which could either be Peoples-Jones or Collins, however you look at it. They are both significant threats in the passing game, combining for over 550 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Layne will have his hands full as both are athletic freaks and as long as he can do a solid job like he did on Saturday against Penn State, Shea Patterson will have a difficult time finding anyone down the field.

Shutting down those underneath routes is also key and that’s on Layne as well as Tre Person, Khari Willis and David Dowell but all of them did a great job against the Nittany Lions.

A repeat performance of last Saturday would be huge for Layne as he didn’t let anything behind him and forced the quarterback to stand in the pocket for far too long.

Seeing results with some coverage sacks would be nice against Michigan.

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