Devils in Detail
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ASU Football: Previewing 2018 non-conference opponents

By Koki Riley

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: The Arizona State Sun Devils marching band performs before the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: The Arizona State Sun Devils marching band performs before the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Isaac Dotson #31 and Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Isaac Dotson #31 and Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Arizona State vs. Michigan State – Sept. 8 at 7:45 p.m. PT on ESPN

ASU will play the first of two nationally televised ESPN games on Sept. 8 when they face off against Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State.

The Spartans head into 2018 with 19 starters returning to a side that went 10-3 a season ago which included a Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State.

On offense, the Spartans will see the return of quarterback Brian Lewerke who last season threw 20 touchdown passes for 2,793 yards against stiff Big Ten defenses.

Michigan State are also bringing back their top three wideouts as well as returning senior running back LJ Scott who has been the Spartans top rusher the last three seasons.

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To go along with bringing back four starters on the offensive line, this Spartans offense should be a new strength for this team in 2018.

Michigan State’s defense on the other hand should be even stronger than they were a season ago with multiple veteran leaders such as junior Kenny Willekes, junior Joe Bachie and senior Khari Willis.

Up front, the Spartans will have three returning starters to go along with Bachie (who has 100 tackles a season ago) and senior Andrew Dowell at two of the three linebacking spots.

This Michigan State secondary should be the team’s ultimate strength with safeties Khari Willis and first team All Big-Ten selection David Dowell returning for his junior season. The Spartans also boast a stellar cornerback duo of junior Justin Scott and sophomore Josiah Layne.

In particular, Layne last season was a freshman All-American at corner for a Michigan State team that held opponents to just 201.9 yards per game in the air last season.

A Sun Devils win over Michigan State would be a major upset even with home field advantage for ASU. With that said, the Arizona heat could affect the performance of the Spartans similar to how Washington melted in the high temperatures in Tempe just a season ago.

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