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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons to be excited about 2018 Redbox Bowl

By Connor Muldowney

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans is pursued by defensive back Saquan Hampton #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and linebacker Tyshon Fogg #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on a 22-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans is pursued by defensive back Saquan Hampton #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and linebacker Tyshon Fogg #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on a 22-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

1. Chance for momentum heading into 2019

This is what was expected to happen in 2017 when the Spartans downed Washington State in dominant fashion to take home the Holiday Bowl crown and improve to 10-3 on the year. Momentum was expected to carry over into 2018 and lead the Spartans to a Big Ten title.

That never happened. Why? Because injuries killed the team’s flow and the offense was as stagnant as any in college football. If the offense was even average this season, we could be talking about a 10-11 win team (Nebraska, Northwestern, Arizona State, Ohio State were all very winnable).

And heck, maybe this team would have broken 100 yards against Michigan.

All jokes aside, the Spartans need a big win like this over Oregon to improve to 8-5 on the year and head into 2019 with some positive momentum and maybe even a more confident Brian Lewerke.

This could be a good time to get next year’s starting running back figured out after LJ Scott leaves and the defense could continue its dominance, setting up a big 2019 campaign.

Next. MSU basketball: Top 4 remaining 2019 recruiting targets. dark

Momentum is key for this one and even though it’s “just the Redbox Bowl”, it happens to be versus a solid Pac-12 team and could lead this team to bigger and better things next season.

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