3 Michigan State football players who need big games to secure a win over Purdue

Our Michigan State football team has an excellent opportunity to get back in the win column this weekend against Purdue. To summarize, it has not been a good year down in West Lafayette, as the 1-9 Boilermakers look to end the year with something to hang their hats on.

Michigan State ends the regular season with two home games and a chance to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2021. I have already predicted how I feel this season will come to a close, but now we are looking at Friday specifically, as it is a must-win game in order to keep postseason hopes alive.

There are three players I turn to in order to come out with a win on Friday. Three players I believe can either help hinder strengths or exploit weaknesses in Purdue's operations. Let's dive in.

3. Cal Haladay, LB

There's not much going right for the Boilermakers this year, but one team component is the run game. Led by junior running back Devin Mockobee, Purdue is averaging just over 4.5 yards per carry, with the running back carrying a majority of the load with 5.7 yards per carry on his own.

With this in mind, the linebackers must play well to ensure this Purdue offense doesn't get in rhythm on the ground. The name I look at specifically is Cal Haladay. To put it lightly, Haladay has had an up-and-down season, often being on the right and wrong side of big plays. With him often playing the majority of snaps on defense, the team needs him to have a strong showing against the run and not allow much past him if the defense wants to keep Purdue off the board.

They don't show much vertical threat, or at least hasn't yet this year, so containing Mockobee will be crucial to the outcome of this game.