Michigan Football: 3 Michigan State Spartans to watch this week

Michigan Football opened the 2020 season with a big win and Michigan State is next. Here’s a look at possible X-Factors for the Spartans.

At first glance, this game between Michigan football and Michigan State appears it is headed for blowout territory — and it should.

However, the Spartans can never be overlooked in this historic rivalry. Even after a season-opening loss to Rutgers, which can be described as nothing short of embarrassing, the Wolverines cannot afford to take this game for granted.

Let’s take a look at the 3 Spartans who could have a significant impact on the outcome of this game.

WR Jayden Reed

Season Stats: 11 Rec, 128 Yds, 2 TDs

If there was one bright spot in a mistake laden game against Rutgers for the Spartans, it was Jayden Reed and the Michigan State passing offense as a whole. Reed showed some outstanding wiggle on his 50-yard catch and run that ended in six points and could be a problem for the Michigan secondary if he gets into open space.

Jayden Reed forms a dynamic duo on the outside along with Sophomore Jalen Nailor, who notched six catches for 84 yards and a score himself against the Scarlet Knights.

The Wolverine cornerbacks performed admirably against Rashod Bateman and Chris Autman-Bell last week, but will again be tested by a capable receiving tandem for the Spartans.

DE Jacub Panasiuk

Season Stats: 6 Tackles

Panasiuk is a senior defensive end who plays with a mean streak — some may have other words for his mentality but we’ll keep it positive here. He is the unquestioned leader of the Spartan defensive line and was the highest graded pass rusher for Michigan State last season by Pro Football Focus with a grade of 90.0.

Needless to say, Michigan football will need to keep QB Joe Milton upright to prevent any turnovers that could swing the momentum in the Spartans’ favor, and Panasiuk will be possibly the biggest threat Michigan State has coming off the edge. Although the senior pass rusher failed to register a sack in Week 1, he did manage 3 quarterback hurries.

LB Antjuan Simmons

Season Stats: 11 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery

Simmons was Michigan State’s leading tackler from a week ago and also recovered a Scarlet Knights fumble. He also received high marks from PFF as Michigan State’s second highest rated player in run defense with a grade of 76.4.

The run stuffing linebacker is also a senior so Michigan State will have plenty of experience in their front seven that will not only bring veteran savvy to the Big House on Halloween — but perhaps more importantly, a fierce tenacity that seems to always come out in this heated rivalry.

Michigan State’s identity in year one under Mel Tucker is still in question. Will they try to be the grind it out, ground and pound offense with a suffocating defense like they once were under Mark Dantonio? Or will Week 1’s passing outburst and shaky pass defense become the new norm?

The veteran pieces are in place for this defense to at least be respectable this season, the question is, will they rise to the occasion against their most hated rival?