Michigan State football hosts Pac-12 opponent Arizona State in a rematch from last season. The Spartans look to get a victory unlike last season.
There are some obvious things that Michigan State can do as they host Arizona State to win the game. The Spartan defense can force some turnovers and Brian Lewerke can throw for 400 yards.
However, there are more specific things that Michigan State can do to defeat Arizona State to remain undefeated and to have momentum going into conference play.
Each team is 2-0 and it is a nationally televised game so the stakes are high for both programs. This also will be the first non-night game for both teams as kickoff is at 4 p.m. ET.
Here are the three key factors for the Spartans to defeat the Sun Devils.
3. Feed Elijah Collins
In the first game, Connor Heyward received the majority of the rushing attempts by getting 15 carries as opposed to Elijah Collins’ eight. In the second game against Western Michigan, Collins had 17 carries for 192 yards and true freshman Anthony Williams Jr. had the second-most carries with six. Sophomore running back La’Darius Jefferson had only five carries but two of them resulted in touchdowns.
Against the Sun Devils, if Collins can get around 20 carries, look for another stellar performance from the redshirt freshmen. Arizona State’s run defense is its strength not and not a weakness.
The Michigan State run game will be challenged but look for Collins to carry the load and rush for 120 or more yards.