Western Michigan travels to East Lansing to take on Michigan State football. Can the Broncos upset the Spartans? Here are three predictions.
Michigan State is looking for any semblance of an offense in a Week 2 battle with Western Michigan. The Broncos, on the other hand, are looking for an upset.
Can the Spartans hold off the upset-hungry Broncos?
3. Michigan State will have a good run game
Brian Lewerke is healthy, and that means trouble for the Broncos. Healthy quarterbacks will be a theme in these predictions by the way. His health means zone option read. The Spartans want to be physical, and establish the run. Not only that, the Spartans have the size advantage along their offensive line; they must take advantage of that while running the football.
In addition to tailback Connor Heyward, the Broncos will see a heavy dose of La’Darius Jefferson and you might see both of them in the backfield at the same time. With Lewerke a legitimate running threat, it’s going to be hard to key in on any one running back.
The passing game will also play a part in how well the Spartans will run in the game. The Broncos gave up 220 yards per game last season, and Michigan State has size at receiver. If Western Michigan wants to keep everyone in front of them, they won’t load the box for fear of getting the ball thrown over their heads. This will give the running game plenty of lanes to run through.