Michigan State Football: 5 players who could break out vs. BYU

Oct 1, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Monty Madaris (88) catches the ball while Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Tony Fields (19) in the second half of the game at Memorial Stadium. Indiana Hoosiers beat the Michigan State Spartans by the score of 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State football is hosting BYU this weekend and here are five players who’ll break out.

The 2016 season hasn’t gotten off to the ideal start for Mark Dantonio and this year’s Michigan State football team. The Spartans are just 2-2 after consecutive losses to Wisconsin and Indiana over the past two weeks, respectively.

Michigan State is a talented team, but the chemistry just doesn’t seem to be there just yet. The Spartans are looking for answers and a players-only meeting after the Indiana defeat this past weekend may have opened everyone’s eyes to the reality of the situation.

With that being said, there are some players who are going to have big games this weekend against BYU at home. Let’s take a look at who my five breakout candidates against the Cougars will be.

Ed Davis

LB, Senior

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Ed Davis (43) looks over the Michigan Wolverines offense during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Ed Davis is still easing his way back into live action after missing the entire 2015 season with a knee injury and then being granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. He has played limited snaps through three games, after missing the opener, and I think it’s time he steps up and contributes like he’s capable of.

Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke are out together for a second straight week. In fact, this is Bullough’s third straight missed game and Reschke might be out for the season. That leaves the door open for Davis to come in and prove himself.

Two years ago, he showed that he could be a solid blitzing linebacker and he finished the season with over 50 tackles and found his way into the backfield on a regular basis. He can do the same Saturday against a strong passing attack led by the 26-year-old Taysom Hill.

Davis needs to step up and be that leader when Bullough and Reschke are sidelined. Andrew Dowell and Shane Jones will be getting the starts for the injured linebackers, but Davis will have an increased role and will put together a strong showing.

Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Tyson Smith (15) and Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) celebrate defense stop during the 1st quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Tyson Smith

CB, Sophomore

Tyson Smith is a kid who looks to be slowly growing into a more prominent role on the defensive side of the ball. Mark Dantonio decided to burn his redshirt last season when the secondary was struggling and suffering multiple injuries, and he played well.

Smith saw his first action against Nebraska last year and appeared in three more games after that. He recorded five total tackles and a pass deflection, showing promise as a cornerback of the future. He also played well against Alabama, but unfortunately the Spartans were thumped 38-0.

Through four games, Smith has played sparingly, but has shown the ability to stay hip-to-hip with receivers. He did so against Indiana, but an impressive catch by the receiver near the sideline foiled his chance for a pass deflection. He, like many Spartan defensive backs, just needs to turn his head when the ball is in the air and he could have an interception to his name.

With Darian Hicks and Vayante Copeland rotating with Smith every so often, I expect him to get stronger as the year progresses. Against BYU, he will be needed to come up with some big plays, and he will do just that.

Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio yells from the sidelines during the second against Furman against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Panasiuk

DT, Freshman

Raequan Williams is expected to be out 1-2 weeks for the Spartans and Malik McDowell is suspended for the first half against BYU because of a questionable targeting call during the Indiana game. That leaves the door open for a young guy like Mike Panasiuk, who had his redshirt burned last week, to contribute.

Panasiuk was a highly-touted defensive tackle out of high school in Illinois and it’s believed that he’s one of the strongest true freshmen in the country. Heck, he was even named the strongest recruit at Nike’s The Opening in Oregon last July.

There’s more to playing defensive tackle than brute strength, but having that collegiate-level ability to push offensive linemen back can go a long way. The true freshman played against Indiana last weekend and recorded two solo tackles in limited action. Expect him to have an even larger role this week.

The first half will feature plenty of different looks on the defensive line with McDowell and Williams out, but Panasiuk is a guy who can come in and contribute right away. He may just play well enough to earn the backup role at defensive tackle.

Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Monty Madaris (88) carries the ball during the second half against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Monty Madaris

WR, Senior

One of the most sure-handed receivers on the team this year has been a bit of a surprise through four games. I said it before the season, and even right after the spring game, Monty Madaris is going to have a big season for Michigan State.

So far, that is reigning true as he’s third on the team with 207 yards on 15 receptions, but he has yet to reach the end zone. That’ll change this weekend against BYU as Tyler O’Connor is going to hit him on a crossing pattern and Madaris will do the rest, taking it 30 yards to the house.

Madaris was O’Connor’s go-to target through the first game and a half and has since taken a back seat to guys like R.J. Shelton and Donnie Corley. Those two have been phenomenal for the offense, but Madaris is ready for a big game.

The senior wide out’s numbers have been in decline since the Furman game when he caught five passes for 85 yards, but he has been targeted a consistent amount each week. This week, I expect him to put up career-highs in every category. He’s going to catch six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.

A big game is on the way for the fifth-year senior from Cincinnati.

Oct 1, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) runs the ball and is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Tegray Scales (8) in the first quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

LJ Scott

RB, Sophomore

I predicted an LJ Scott breakout last week and I looked a little foolish for it as the sophomore running back finished with just 38 yards on 11 carries. Both Madre London and Gerald Holmes had better performances than he did on the ground, but that won’t be the case this week.

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While I do believe that Holmes and London deserve larger roles in the offense, it’s Scott’s backfield and he’s about to prove why he earned the starting job to begin the season. He’s been running straight into piles of defenders and it’s time he starts bouncing it outside for big-gainers.

Scott has all the talent in the world to be a great running back for the Spartans, but his inability to see the entire field through four games has limited him. He has just 302 rushing yards and three touchdowns through four starts and he is capable of putting up 100-150 a week.

Against a lackluster BYU defense, Scott is going to have a big day. He recorded over 100 yards in the first game of the year, and he’s going to do so yet again versus the Cougars Saturday.

LJ is going to break the 100-yard mark on 17 carries with two touchdowns to go with it.