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The Five Best Offensive Players Notre Dame Will Face in 2016

By Bobby Norell

Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Clyde Newton (41) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Clyde Newton (41) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

With the departures of Ezekial Elliot and Jordan Howard many are pegging Scott as the best back in the Big Ten, and for good reason too. Much like McMillian, Scott had a great freshman year for the Spartans in 2015. Last season he ran for 699 yards and 11 touchdowns. Scott put the exclamation point on his freshman season in the Big Ten Championship game, where he scored the game winning touchdown to beat Iowa. Scott’s numbers should only go up as he will become one of the focal points to the Michigan State offense due to the losses of Connor Cook and Aaron Burbridge.

By no means does he have break away speed, he gets it done with brute strength and power. Scott fits the mold of great Michigan State running backs from the past. He’s a big body, with a downhill, bruising style of running. He has a great knack of using his big body to shed would-be tacklers. He kind of reminds me of a few former Spartan greats in T.J. Duckett and Le’veon Bell.

In the Mark Dantonio era, the Spartans have relied on a duo or trio of backs. For example last season Michigan State had three backs rush for over 500 yards with Scott, Gerald Holmes and Madre London. Even with this being true, Scott should receive a bulk of the carries because he is the best of the bunch.

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