Michigan State football: 3 breakout candidates vs. Central Michigan

With the season kicking off on Friday night, which under-the-radar Michigan State football players could break out vs. CMU?

We officially just hours away from kickoff and the anticipation is growing. Michigan State football fans are anxiously awaiting the first snaps — and hopefully first win — of the 2023 season.

Central Michigan has other plans. The Chippewas are constructing some bulletin-board material for the game and hoping that it carries them to their fourth upset victory over the Spartans in series history.

Michigan State, on the other hand, isn’t taking anyone lightly, per Mel Tucker.

If Michigan State is going to come away with a win and cover the -14.5 spread, a few guys are going to need to step up and have breakout performances. Here are my breakout candidates for Week 1.

1. Nathan Carter

If you know anything about me, you’d know that Nathan Carter has been my 2023 breakout pick for months. I’ve been holding out hope that he’s the next great Spartan running back since the spring and after hearing good things about him during fall camp, I’m full invested.

Michigan State is going to rely heavily on the run game against the Chippewas, especially with a new quarterback under center. That means that Carter is going to run wild. I expect him to have a huge game.

In his first action in a Spartan uniform, he’s going to break out for 100-plus yards and two scores (hopefully).

2. Zion Young

Another guy who earned glowing reviews during fall camp, Zion Young is ready to become a star and put that 2022 tunnel incident and suspension behind him. He’s hoping to prove that he’s grown as a person and a player.

And that starts on Friday night.

While Young may not start against the Chippewas, I do believe that he’s going to have a major impact and finish the game with a sack or two and make a living in the backfield. Central Michigan offensive linemen are going to have nightmares about this dude for months after this game.

3. Montorie Foster

Montorie Foster is a guy who I truly believe just needs to stay healthy and he’ll become a serious weapon. Hearing about how injuries have derailed a promising career to this point has made me a believer and I’m expecting him to not only become a starter, but to put up numbers in this offense.

While he may not be WR1 (that’s Tre Mosley), he’s going to be one of the favorite targets of whoever starts under center because of his ability to get open and make athletic plays.

I think Foster has a big game to open the season on Friday night. I’m going with 75 yards and a touchdown.