Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: 5 players who need big Redbox Bowl performances

By Connor Muldowney

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Tyler Higby #70 and Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Tyler Higby #70 and Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next

After a rough season, which Michigan State football players need a big showing in the 2018 Redbox Bowl vs. Oregon?

It wasn’t the bowl game anyone had expected or even hoped for, but Michigan State earned a trip out to California for the Redbox Bowl against Oregon.

Everyone probably hoped for a different California-based bowl, but it’s an intriguing matchup against a top-tier Pac-12 team which also had a slightly disappointing season.

Before the season, if you said Michigan State and Oregon would play in a bowl game, you probably would have been excited for the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately injuries and inconsistent play from both teams have led to the Redbox Bowl which could still be an exciting game for fans.

Which Spartans could use a strong end to the 2018 season with a breakout Redbox Bowl on Dec. 31?

5. Any running back

It’s hard to pick just one here because it’s unclear who will start for the Spartans at running back in 2019, but someone is going to need to step up in the backfield.

The obvious choice would be LJ Scott so he can help his draft stock, but that won’t do the Spartans any good for next season because the senior already decided he was going to give up on a potential redshirt season and enter the NFL following the bowl.

Connor Heyward is a decent choice, too, but I don’t see him being Michigan State’s lead back of the future. He will be a nice change-of-pace guy and someone that could be used in the slot more, but the backfield duties could come down to La’Darius Jefferson, Weston Bridges and Elijah Collins next season.

Those three have the elusiveness needed to star for the green and white, but someone is going to need to have a big game in the Redbox Bowl. Someone. Anyone. Bueller?

Home/Spartans Football