Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State Football: 5 Spartans to watch for vs. Maryland

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) gestures from the field during the first half against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

With Michigan State football hitting the road to take on Maryland, which five Spartans should we keep an eye on?

Michigan State football will travel to Maryland Saturday in hopes of ending its four-game slide. This is a pivotal game that will determine not just the 2016 season, but where the 2017 campaign begins.

Maryland got off to a hot start at 4-0 and have lost the last two games. Terrapins coach D.J. Durkin, a former Michigan defensive coordinator, has the team heading in the right direction. However, much like the Spartans have not beaten a worthy opponent yet.

Each week, the Spartans are playing more and more younger players and are suffering the growing pains of that. This game will either give MSU hope for the rest of this season and in 2017 or it will have the remaining Spartan fans jumping ship. I believe MSU can and will win this game.

This team has been learning to not only play college football, but also to play together. It has been a much larger transition than Michigan State players, coaches or fans expected. However, if this team can get it together than there is talent here and it gives hope to the future.

I have learned through the year, even the subpar and bad ones to never discount coach Mark Dantonio. They are working on it and will get it together.

Here are five Spartans to keep an eye on Saturday.

5. RJ Shelton

Oct 1, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs after a catch in the second half of the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Indiana Hoosiers beat the Michigan State Spartans by the score of 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

R.J. Shelton is more and more looking like the receiver that media and fans were predicting him to be. Despite this offense’s struggles, Shelton has merged as a contender for the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award. He has had monster games against Indiana and now Northwestern.

The Terrapins have not faced a receiver like Shelton and I anticipate him having another huge day. Defensive back William Likely suffered a knee injury last week and the Spartans will likely take advantage of that.

Shelton is has excellent quickness, even he may not be the fastest player on a field. He is shifty and sneaky, which will play to his advantage against a Maryland secondary that has not been challenged this year. This is the game for R.J. to step up and establish himself as the next great Spartan receiver. Look for Shelton to be targeted early and often.

Oct 15, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) celebrates a touchdown with Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Brian Allen (65) during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

4. Tyler Higby

Tyler Higby is a redshirt freshman from Houston, Texas; he was a huge get for the Spartans out of the Lone Star State. Higby was a physical player in high school, but he is starting to add the mental part to his game. He has been receiving significant playing with the Spartans and possibly could be a cornerstone player for Dantonio and company for many years to come.

Graham Couch wrote an excellent article about some of the reasons for MSU’s woes. In the article he mentions that Michigan State had lost 11 linemen from the 2012 and 2013 recruiting class (does include defensive and offensive linemen). With that much attrition there’s no wonder the Spartans have suffered on the field.

However, Higby is a big reason why there is much optimism for Spartan Nation. He is starting at left guard for the second straight week and he brings hope to the unit. Brian Allen and Kodi Kieler seem to be the only reliable players in the trenches, but Higby could join that conversation with more reps.

This is also a big move for the future of this team. Playing a redshirt freshman on the offensive line now will only mean good things for next year and beyond. Higby represents the youth movement and he is actually well and I believe will continue to improve.

Oct 15, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) is chased down by Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

3. Malik McDowell

Malik McDowell is simply a beast. He looked scary good on the edge against Northwestern. He has been such a pro this season as teams have double and tripled teamed him every play while he was on the inside. He has more than lived up to the hype that surrounded his recruitment. However, the defensive line should be more than just a one man show.

It’s tough to watch this line deteriorate the way it has over the past year. Guys like Shilique Calhoun, Lawrence Thomas, Joel Heath, Craig Evans, Montez Sweat, Cassius Peat and Enoch Smith have all departed from the program, leaving behind just a handful of players.

The junior defensive tackle, now a defensive end for at least this week, has been a dominating force on the line and you almost never hear of a lineman finishing with 11 tackles — he did just that against Northwestern.

McDowell’s purpose in coming to East Lansing was to win championships. While the Spartans are in no position to do so this year. There is hope for next year, especially with so many players getting valuable experience on the line. He has said that he will come back if he is not a solid top-three pick in the NFL draft.

MSU hopes he’s not at this point, because with a year under their belt this defensive line could be really good next year.

Oct 15, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) tackles Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Macan Wilson (15) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2. Riley Bullough

Riley Bullough made his long awaited return to the lineup last Saturday and fans thought for sure the problems on third down would be corrected. However, they were not and the bewildered Spartans searched for answers after the game. The defense did not execute and in fact has not done much of that since the Wisconsin game.

The senior linebacker did play well, though, but he and McDowell couldn’t make up for the rest of the defense’s poor play. There were missed tackles across the field and it’s tough to pinpoint an exact area which caused this spiral out of control.

Not having Jon Reschke also hurts the linebacking corps, but Bullough will do his best as a captain to make sure that the defense is on top of its game this weekend.

Bullough is Michigan State Football and he is someone they can rally around. They need his playmaking ability and leadership desperately. Bullough is the heart and soul of this defense and MSU needs him to be at his best. He played well last week in his first game back, but he should take another step forward this week.

Any time a player is out for an extended time, there’s an adjustment when they get back. The linebackers will be better.

Oct 15, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) scrambles out of the pocket during the first quarter of a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

1. The quarterbacks

No one, but Dantonio and his coaches, knows who will start Saturday. However, the real question will be who will finish the game? Brian Lewerke has the most upside and proved to be reliable passer of the pigskin.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Maryland

Yes, field position plays a role in a game, but so does a coach’s lack of trust in a quarterback. This was evidenced by Mark Dantonio’s first encounter with Alabama many years ago. MSU was backed up close to their own end zone, when then Kirk Cousins threw a bubble screen to Keyshawn Martin and ‘Bama sniffed it out almost immediately.

If the coaches trusted a quarterback then the training wheels would be off. Tyler O’Connor is a competent quarterback, who came to East Lansing with some promise, but this season has been a difficult pill to swallow.

Damion Terry was a celebrated QB in high school, but now he seems to be left out of this latest QB battle. Brian Lewerke showed promise on many throws last Saturday. If he is given the chance, then I believe he will take another step forward in his development.

If Michigan State goes with Terry or O’Connor then the Spartans could be setting themselves up for failure in 2017. The future is now.