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Michigan State Football: 3 reasons Spartans will win Peach Bowl vs. Pitt

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Jayden Reed, left, celebrates his touchdown against Nebraska with teammate Jalen Nailor during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 124a
Michigan State's Jayden Reed, left, celebrates his touchdown against Nebraska with teammate Jalen Nailor during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 124a /
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Michigan State running back Elijah Collins (24) celebrates a touchdown against Youngstown State during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
Michigan State running back Elijah Collins (24) celebrates a touchdown against Youngstown State during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. /

2. Experience, depth in the running back room

Losing Kenneth Walker III to the NFL before this New Year’s Six game was a tough pill for many fans to swallow because, well, they weren’t ready to realize that they had seen the last of the Wake Forest transfer and Heisman candidate in a Spartan uniform.

Walker made the right choice, however, because if he were to get injured in the Peach Bowl, his draft stock would take a hit and he could lose out on potentially millions of dollars.

Behind Walker, though, are three experienced and talented running backs. Unlike Pitt, Michigan State has proven experience behind its departing star and Heisman candidate who decided to opt out of the bowl game.

Elijah Collins nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2019 before getting COVID last season, losing a bunch of weight/muscle, and losing his starting job, Jordon Simmons was the Spartans’ leading rusher as a true freshman last season, and Harold Joiner is a veteran back and former four-star recruit out of high school. These guys will combine to have a solid game on the ground.

Those worried about Michigan State’s run game haven’t realized what still remains. Collins is averaging 7.3 yards per carry this year, Simmons has 255 yards rushing and a 100-yard performance under his belt, and Joiner is a dynamic pass-catching threat.

Don’t fret, Spartan fans, this run game will be fine.

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