Dienhart: Spartans win, but need to 'reach higher' going forward

Reach higher.

Those are Mark Dantonio?s words. Not mine. But, I like the sound of it: reach higher. It?s inspiring, which is why it?s the theme of the season for Michigan State.

The Spartans did need to reach too high-too high–to beat Western Michigan tonight, taking a 37-24 win. The best way to describe the victory: methodical. Michigan State can play better. And, it must-and will. The Spartans will need to with Oregon coming to East Lansing next week for a prime-time tilt with potential playoff implications.

This game vs. Western Michigan-not overly impressive for the Spartans–was about kicking the tires on a few areas of concern for Michigan State.

– Running back. The Spartans are replacing Jeremy Langford, who rushed for 1,522 yards and 22 TDs last season. And, they have no shortage of options. Three players saw lots of action-and all had their moments. Hyped freshman LJ Scott led the way with 77 yards on 13 carries. Redshirt freshman Madre London had 59 yards on 13 totes with two scores. Sophomore Gerald Holmes ran for 54 yards on nine carries with a touchdown.

True freshman LJ Scott looked very good tonight for @MSU_Football. He may be the RB who eventually emerges as the workhorse.

— Tom Dienhart (@TomDienhart1) September 5, 2015

– Receiver. Tony Lippett earned Big Ten Receiver of the Year honors in 2014 after grabbing 65 passes for 1,198 yards and 11 TDs. He?s gone. Who will step up? On this night, Aaron Burbridge caught a team-high four passes for 117 yards, averaging 29.2 yards per grab. DeAnthony Arnett had two catches with a TD; Macgarrett Kings, Jr. caught two passes. Tight end Josiah Price had three receptions and a score. There are many options here.

– Cornerback. A big concern with stud Trae Waynes gone to the NFL as a first-round draft choice. The Spartan defense needs shutdown, man-to-man play from their corners to make the defense go. Redshirt freshman Vayante Copeland and junior Demetrious Cox had their moments but need to improve. Copeland picked off a pass late vs. a good Western Michigan passing game that produced 365 yards as Zach Terrell hit 33-of-50 passes with two touchdowns and two picks.

Again, the stakes get much higher next week with Oregon on deck. The No. 7-ranked Ducks are coming to East Lansing for the first meeting of top 10-ranked teams at Spartan Stadium since 1966, when No. 1 Notre Dame played No. 2 MSU. Beat the Ducks, who took a 46-27 win last year vs. the Spartans in Eugene, and Michigan State can start dreaming big.

Games at Michigan on Oct. 17 and at Nebraska on Nov. 7 will be tough. Still, the Spartans could be 10-0 as they trek to Ohio State on Nov. 21 in what could be one of the biggest games of the college football season.

In fact, it?s not crazy to think the Spartans could win in Columbus, as long as they continue to answer those questions at running back, wide out and corner.

Scott looked as good as advertised after arriving on campus as a four-star recruit. He?s a 6-0, 230-pound battering ram with speed that reminds many of Le?Veon Bell. It?s easy to see why. A good ground game would make the play-action passes of Connor Cook that much more effective working with Burbridge, Kings, Arnett and others in a corps of wideouts that has more than enough weapons. In the end, the offense should be just fine, but Cook must sharpen his game after hitting just 15-of-31 passes for 256 yards and two TDs.

The defense? That?s the area to watch. The corners have work to do after the pass defense was shredded. Oregon?s new quarterback, Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams, will be throwing coming off the bus. The best pass defense for Michigan State may be a great pass rush. And, the Spartans have a formidable d-line that can get pressure.

Next week will be interesting-and a great measuring stick for Michigan State, which will need to reach much higher than it did tonight.

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