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2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 9

By Shawn Spencer

Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) warms up before a game against Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) warms up before a game against Clemson Tigers at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Malik McDowell
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores a on an interception return during the second half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Malik McDowell (DL – Michigan State) vs. Michigan

It took a miracle like this for Michigan State to beat Michigan last season.

It’s going to take an even bigger miracle this season as Jim Harbaugh and company will have revenge on their minds.

The one player on the Spartans who can prevent the Wolverines from scoring 50-plus points is defensive lineman Malik McDowell. The Michigan offensive line did a very good job of taking McDowell out of the game last year and clearly frustrated the future first-round pick. McDowell finished the game with just three tackles and was hit with a damaging personal foul penalty on special teams that gave Michigan the field position they needed to take a two-possession lead in the fourth quarter.

McDowell needs to step up not only to help lock-in an early first-round pick, but to help the Spartans get back into contention for a bowl bid. A loss to Michigan would drop Michigan State to 2-6 and force them to win out. With Ohio State and a road trip to Penn State still on the schedule, that would be a near impossible task.

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