Michigan St.’s X-Factor Vs. Arizona St.
This running back exploded last week and is now starting on Saturday
I’m all-in on Michigan State redshirt freshman RB Elijah Collins. Has a patience after handoff reminiscent of Le’Veon Bell, does he not? Play on, young playa! #spartandawg pic.twitter.com/gxaS3H7TvK
— Landon (@SwervinVolleyer) September 8, 2019
Elijah Collins, RB
Through two games, Michigan State running back Elijah Collins is averaging 8.4 yards per carry (209 yards total). While his 25 rushing attempts only slightly tops Connor Heyward (18) and La’Darius Jefferson (12), Collins broke out in Week 2, setting a school record in the process.
🚨 Stat Alert 🚨 Elijah Collins’ 192 rushing yards were the most by a freshman starting running back in school history and the second-most overall by a Spartan freshman running back in a single game (Javon Ringer had 194 yards at Illinois in 2005).
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) September 8, 2019
As a result, the redshirt freshman has been listed as MSU’s starting running back for this game.
Elijah Collins now listed as MSU’s starting tailback. pic.twitter.com/rRFyOBLCgd
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) September 10, 2019
Arizona State allowed 120 rushing yards to Kent State in their season-opening win, but just came off a dominant defensive performance against Sacramento State. However, this Spartans offensive line is a much bigger, stronger and more polished unit as a whole.
Expect Michigan State to ride their new RB1 to a victory. BetQL’s NCAA Football Model labels Michigan State -14.5 as a better bet than Arizona State +14.5 in this showdown.