Michigan State Football: 3 hot takes from loss to Indiana in Week 11

Nov 14, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Shakur Brown (29) intercepts a pass intended for Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Miles Marshall (13) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

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Michigan State’s Elijah Collins runs after a catch against Indiana during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. 201114 Msu Indiana 167a /

3. Elijah Collins is still the best option at running back

One hill I’m willing to die on is the fact that I believe Elijah Collins, not Connor Heyward or Jordon Simmons, gives this offense its highest upside.

While Collins has been lackluster all season long in limited action, he had two plays on Saturday that gave fans flashbacks to the 2019 version of him. He had a nice 6-yard run where he showed great vision and made cuts like he had been doing all last season. Those were the type of plays that came easily to him. And then he caught a pass and took it 17 yards.

Collins may not have the numbers this year, but he’s the most experienced back, outside of Heyward who should play in the slot, and he has the vision and elusiveness when he gets the time to make plays.

Heyward didn’t have a bad game with 27 yards on five carries and Simmons added 15 yards on five touches, but the run game was abandoned. Still, we need to see more Collins in the run game and have the staff stick to him if the offense is going to have a pulse this season.

There’s a reason there has been zero run game for the Spartans in 2020.

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