Last week, Michigan State football was preparing for a tune-up game against Youngstown State before Big Ten play, and I wrote about three players who needed to step up.
While those guys didn't need to step up to beat Youngstown State, they rather needed to in order to build some momentum heading into USC week. Fortunately, we did see solid performances from the guys I mentioned last week (Chrishon McCray, Jalen Thompson, and Jack Velling), so I'm hoping that good luck continues this week.
Which Spartans need to step up for Michigan State to upset USC on Saturday night?
1. Everyone on the defensive line
Is this a cop-out of a pick? Maybe, since it includes everyone that plays on Michigan State's defensive line, but the Spartans have gotten next to no pass rush over the past two games, which is disappointing considering the opponents. USC isn't going to just let the Spartans get after Jayden Maiava every play. The Spartans will have to work 10 times harder.
Jalen Thompson, Alex VanSumeren, Quindarius Dunnigan, and the rest of the defensive line need to step up if Michigan State is going to pull off the Week 4 upset.
2. Joshua Eaton
With Nikai Martinez back, the secondary got a shot in the arm against Youngstown State, and yet the secondary still looked mediocre, at best. The secondary will need a boost, and I'm going to pick the guy who I think could be a leader back there and potentially the team's best cornerback.
Joshua Eaton has been OK this season, but if Michigan State is going to have a chance on Saturday, he needs to be locking the Trojans down. It's time he plays to his potential against an elite passing offense.
3. Jack Velling
This is the second straight week that Jack Velling is making an appearance on my "players who need to step up" list, and it's not because he didn't do that a week ago. Actually, Velling had his best game of the season after I called for him to step up against Youngstown State, and I think he needs to have a similar performance on Saturday night to help Aidan Chiles and the offense beat USC.
With a hampered Nick Marsh and now that Alante Brown is out, the offense could use all the help it can get, and a key figure on that side of the ball is Velling.
The offense needs an effective Velling to keep up with USC on Saturday night.