College Football: 5 takeaways from April 7 spring games

1. Michigan State Spartans (5pm, BTN)

Brian Lewerke gives the Spartans a shot at getting back into the College Football Playoff. The offense will go with Lewerke as MSU struggled to move the football and finished 3-9 before Lewerke was the established starter. The Spartans finished 2017 with a 10-3 record and 21st overall ranking per the S&P+.

The MSU offense finished a measly 92nd while Mark Dantonio‘s defense finished No. 4 per Bill C’s analytics. The MSU administration has patience and it’s paid off. While he’s had dips in production in 2008, 2012, and 2016, the Spartans have won one hundred games with Mark Dantonio at the helm.

Lewerke finished the day with the same consistency he showed throughout 2017. The redshirt junior finished 7-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a touchdown. His expected backup, Rocky Lombardi, finished 10-of-22 for 135 yards and a touchdown passing.

The quarterback in East Lansing is only as good as his tailback and the Spartans run game wasn’t spectacular but flashed a few positive signs. While sophomore running back Alante Thomas fumbled three times, Connor Heyward, the 6-0, 230-pound mack truck, dragged tacklers into the end zone. LJ Scott will still be the starter in 2018 heading into this senior season.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round through Pro Days

Outlook: Lewerke will determine how far the Spartans can go in 2018. Dantonio’s defense will stay top 10, and the Spartans’ schedule is set up perfectly to win 10 games once again.