Three questions: Is Michigan State's late-game defense anything to worry about?

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch answers three key questions after the Spartans’ 30-27 win Saturday night at Minnesota.

Is how Michigan State’s defense finished at Minnesota anything to worry about?

Not yet. Not until you see it again. The Spartans’ defense was terrific into the fourth quarter Saturday. All the points MSU allowed through 50 minutes of football came after MSU turnovers, with Minnesota’s offense working on a short field. But it fell apart late for the Spartans, largely because of the mobility of Minnesota QB Demry Croft, who replaced Conor Rhoda and led the Gophers to three fourth-quarter touchdowns, two after long drives.

A backup quarterback that presents a different style can be tricky to defend on the fly. Demry had MSU on its heels, missing tackles and, for the first time, looking shaky in the secondary. Late-game defensive collapses were a staple of last year’s team and, letting things get too close quickly late has also been a characteristic of some of MSU’s better defenses in recent years. For now, it’s a one-game thing after 11 quarters of mostly outstanding defense.

What does MSU do when it has three healthy running backs?

Play the best two, whoever they are. Co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner admitted before the season that you can’t play three running backs and expect them to be in any kind of rhythm. You play two. The third guy is out of luck. Early this season that guy was Madre London. Injuries to LJ Scott (out last week) and Gerald Holmes (out Saturday) made the choices easy. Next week, it’ll be interesting to see what the coaching staff does against Indiana. LJ Scott, if healthy, has to play. The other two deserve to, as well.

RELATED:

• Couch: LJ Scott can be Le'Veon Bell and carry MSU, if he heeds Bell's advice
• Couch: 3 quick takes on the Spartans' performance at Minnesota
• Grading MSU's play at Minnesota

Will the Spartans enter November at 7-1 and 5-0?

I think so. Beating Indiana isn’t a given. Northwestern, on the road, is probably a toss-up. But Evanston will be half Spartan fans and, if MSU can play in decent weather for once, I have a sense this offense might finally have a complete performance soon. It feels like Brian Lewerke is on the cusp. And what we saw at Minnesota from this MSU offensive line was among the more promising signs all season.

If the Spartans get to November at 7-1, they’ll only need to upset Penn State or Ohio State to likely be in play for a Big Ten East Division title to the very end.

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.