Michigan State Football: 3 reasons for optimism ahead of Ohio State game

1. Kenneth Walker III

What a year it’s been for Kenneth Walker III. Not only has he become the first Spartan 1,000-yard rusher since Jeremy Langford in 2014, but he’s also a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy which is something not many Michigan State players have ever been able to say this late in the season.

He heads into Columbus as the best running back in the country and his Heisman campaign may very well be on the line this Saturday. A good game could make his case and a bad game may break it but he should be in New York for the ceremony regardless.

Walker has had some huge games against tough opponents this year like 197 yards against Michigan, over 170 at Miami, and 136 at Purdue. He’s been a menace to opposing defenses and there’s no reason to believe he won’t have another solid game on Saturday against Ohio State’s run defense.

The Buckeyes haven’t seen a running back like Walker this season and he’s going to have himself a game, putting the team on his back. But the offense is going to be balanced with Payton Thorne opening up the run game with his arm, and vice versa.

If there’s one reason to feel good about Michigan State’s chances, it has to be Walker’s ability to put up big numbers.