Michigan State football: 5 players who need productive Redbox Bowl

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

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) /

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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans prepares to take a snap from offensive lineman Matt Allen #64 in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

2. Entire offensive line

Unlike the running back position, one guy standing out on the offensive line won’t make anyone really feel better about the 2019 outlook, but the entire unit stepping up would help.

The running back position and the offensive line are directly connected because one cannot succeed without the other. Well, the offensive line can succeed and the running back can struggle and it’d be on the latter. However, for the backfield to see any success, the offensive line needs to pave the way, and that just hasn’t happened this season.

No one on the offensive line, outside of Kevin Jarvis at times and David Beedle earlier in the year, has been all that impressive. There have been flashes from guys like Cole Chewins and Matt Allen, but the consistency has been lacking.

The offensive line needs to end the year on a high note and hopefully Mark Staten got some good work in with his guys during the past few weeks.

If the line struggles, we can expect to see some younger guys see the field early next season. This group must come together as a cohesive unit if the offense wants to see any sort of improvement.

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