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Michigan State Football: 10 post-spring bold predictions for 2019 season

By Connor Muldowney

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans eludes Dylan Hanser #33 of the Washington State Cougars on a run play during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans eludes Dylan Hanser #33 of the Washington State Cougars on a run play during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 13: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans and Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans tackle Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 13: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans and Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans tackle Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

6. Spartans lead the Big Ten in sacks

Remember when Michigan State just couldn’t figure it out in the pass rush game a few years ago? The Spartans could almost count on two hands the number of sacks they finished the 2016 season with and, well, it was embarrassing. The team had plenty of talent, but just couldn’t put it all together and finished the year 3-9, partially due to the defense’s struggles up front.

Everything flipped in 2017 and even more so in 2018 when the Spartans had the best run-stopping front-seven in the nation. They also got after the quarterback often.

In fact, Michigan State finished the season with 28 sacks which was good for fifth in the conference behind Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan, respectively. Those numbers will improve this year and the Spartans will finish atop the Big Ten in team sacks, approaching the 40 mark.

Kenny Willekes will have himself quite the season with 11 sacks and both Raequan Williams and Mike Panasiuk will combine for 10. Then you have guys like Jacub Panasiuk, Jack Camper, Naquan Jones and a host of other solid defensive linemen who’ll chip in with a few.

Michigan State will have a huge season when it comes to sacks, pacing the conference.

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