4. Injuries could be a problem for Michigan StateÂ
Michigan State (No. 2) won handily, 30-10, over Central Michigan, but injuries could be a concern heading into the middle of the season.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin was taken out of the game with a knee injury, cornerback RJ Williamson was knocked around a couple of times and tight end Josiah Prince had to use crutches to get around on the sideline late in the game. Combined with the season-ending injuries to linebacker Ed Davis and cornerback Vayante Copeland, the Spartans are missing some key players right now.
Another concern has to be the lackluster offensive output produced by Connor Cook and Co. The Spartans only generated 143 passing yards and were kept afloat by the running game.
If not for a couple of blocked kicks in the first quarter and the stellar play of defensive end Shilique Calhoun, who racked up 2.5 sacks and one of the blocked kicks, the Chippewas would have been much closer on the scoreboard in the end.
While wins are always welcome no matter how they look, the Spartans aren’t exactly inspiring confidence heading into Week 5. Thankfully they have some time to clean things up and hopefully get healthier before the more difficult part of the schedule arrives in late October and beyond.