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Michigan State Football: 3 hot takes from Week 6 road win vs. Rutgers

By Connor Muldowney

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 09 : Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans runs against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 09 : Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans runs against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – OCTOBER 09 : Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans runs against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – OCTOBER 09 : Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans runs against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a game at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

2. Kenneth Walker III is the Heisman frontrunner

For the second time in six games, Kenneth Walker III eclipsed the 200-yard rushing mark. And for the fourth time on the year, Walker III broke 100 yards. Only one time this season has the Wake Forest transfer averaged fewer than 5.3 yards per carry.

Walker III needs to be considered the Heisman frontrunner after Week 6, surpassing Bryce Young whose Crimson Tide lost on the road against unranked Texas A&M.

Michigan State has played three Big Ten games this season and two of them resulted in 200-yard rushing efforts from Walker III. In fact, he’s over 500 rushing yards and five touchdowns in three conference games and his performance on Saturday afternoon was incredibly impressive. He was chunking the Scarlet Knights for 10-15 yards regularly, but when he broke off a 94-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, it had that “Heisman moment” feeling.

Walker finished the day with 232 yards on 8.0 yards per carry and he’s now over 900 yards on the season with nine touchdown rushes. He has to be considered the favorite to win the coveted award.

If Michigan State wins 9-10 games and he continues this torrid rushing stretch, he will be the Spartans’ first-ever Heisman Trophy winner.

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