GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Michigan State has had an awful season on the offensive side of the football, ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten in most major offensive categories. Fortunately for the Spartans, Rutgers has been nearly as bad in several categories, as well. Where the Scarlet Knights have been OK is in pass defense, giving at least a glimmer of hope for an upset this week and the chance for just one conference victory. The Spartans have been unable to find much rhythm on offense all season, but when they have it’s usually come with a decent running attack. There’s a chance for that this week as the Scarlet Knights are allowing 221.9 yards a game, good for 13th in the Big Ten.
DRAFT SLANT
–DE Kenny Willekes, a junior, has been an absolute thorn in the side of nearly every offense the Spartans have faced this year, not bad for a kid who came to Michigan State as a walk-on. It took some time, but some time but Willekes is starting to pop up on plenty of player rankings, something that seemed like a long shot when he first came to MSU but something he’s proving each week is more of a possibility than ever before.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR Brandon Sowards will petition for a sixth season of eligibility. He missed 2017 with a knee injury and redshirted in 2014.
–C Matt Allen was back in action last week after missing three games with a foot injury.
–WR Jalen Nailor, a freshman, missed his fifth game last week with an undisclosed injury.
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