Michigan State Football: 5 most important players vs. Michigan
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/dcc2b29ff2270616bc10cd372047dbb4ed7df5c63a036ab7a30af07a9e817751.jpg)
1. Brian Lewerke
This one is fairly obvious. The offense goes as Brian Lewerke goes seeing as the run game has been nothing short of a disappointment thanks to the offensive line. If the offense is going to do much of anything against this vaunted Michigan defense, it has to be Lewerke moving the ball.
That starts with protecting the ball, too. No more blindside sacks which lead to fumbles because Lewerke not holding onto the ball the way he should and no more taking losses of yardage instead of throwing the ball away. The Spartans must find a way to protect him just enough to go through his progressions and make quick decisions.
It’s been a rough few weeks for the Spartan quarterback and he has the talent to compete with a defense like Michigan’s and make them pay for over-aggression.
As long as Lewerke doesn’t get flustered by a number of blitz packages and picks up some yards with his legs when he feels the pocket collapsing, that’ll force the Michigan defense to stay on the field longer than they’re used to, tiring them out and fatiguing them as the game progresses.
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Lewerke is the most important Spartan for Saturday’s big game.