Michigan State Football: 3 reasons Spartans will avoid upset at Purdue

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 30: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first half touchdown with Jalen Nailor #8 and Connor Heyward #11 while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III runs for a gain against Michigan during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211030 Msu Michigan 216a /

1. Kenneth Walker III

Yes, Kenneth Walker III is a reason all by himself. He’s that good.

Michigan State is going to need Walker to have a big game and against that run defense, he should do just that. He’s going to follow up a Heisman-like performance against Michigan with another monster game, rushing for over 150 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

On the year, Walker has been one of the best players in college football and he’s pretty clearly the best running back. After his big game against Michigan, he’s the leader in the Heisman Trophy race and if he’s going to stay on top, he needs to make the Boilermakers’ defense pay. If the Spartans’ offensive line can open holes against Michigan’s stout defensive line, imagine what it’ll do against Purdue.

Purdue fans are worried about this matchup because the Boilermakers haven’t seen a running back like Walker this year and they still don’t excel in run defense. This could be a disaster for Jeff Brohm’s team.

Plus, Michigan State has a good enough quarterback to make the Boilermakers pay if they try to overcommit to stopping the run.

Walker is going to be a problem for Purdue.

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