Last week against Boise State it was Le'Veon Bell's turn, this week against Central Michigan it was everyone else's for MSU.Andrew Maxwell improved greatly in his second start, throwing for 275 yards on 20-of-31 passing. (LSJ Photo)

From Andrew Maxwell to Aaron Burbridge and just about everyone in between, plenty of Spartans played a part in Michigan State's 41-7 win against CMU. In fact, 65 of 70 players that dressed saw the field.

Maxwell led the way for Michigan State with 275 yards on 20-of-31 passing and two touchdowns. And a week after completing just seven of his 22 passes to wide receivers a week ago, Maxwell spread the ball out to seven different receivers.

“We had to get Maxwell and our wideouts going,” Mark Dantonio said. “I thought we did that.”

Perhaps the biggest relief for Spartans fans came from the way Maxwell and Bennie Fowler were clicking. Fowler had eight catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.

But Fowler isn't content with his best game as a Spartan -- he has bigger goals in mind for the passing attack.

It's that time again, another week has gone by and another game is on tap. This week the Spartans head to Central Michigan for a pretty neat road game just up U.S. 127. Isaiah Lewis returned an interception for a touchdown last season against CMU. (MLive.com Photo)

The Chips won their season opener against Southeast Missouri State 38-27 and had great success running the ball in that game. Keep in mind, former MSU assistant coach Dan Enos is the CMU head coach.

Here are five things to look for in tomorrow's game (3:30 pm., ESPNU/ESPN3.com):

1. Rotating wide receivers -- DeAnthony Arnett

One of the major questions following the Spartans' win against Boise State was where was Arnett? The former highly touted recruit was not on the field, spare a few snaps. Well, expect to see him much more this week.

There also has been a little talk about Aaron Burbridge this week, could be something to watch. Andre Sims Jr. should see more action this week, too. Sims was the first wide receiver picked in the spring game draft had just one catch in week one. Keep an eye on Tony Lippett as well and see how he bounces back from a frustrating week one. Lippett appears to have the best ability to get open and make plays downfield of the wide receivers, but struggled to hold the ball against Boise State.

Andrew Maxwell only completed eight passes to wide receivers (of 22 total) in the season opener, and that number must increase starting against the Chips.

It's not unusual for all eyes to be on the quarterback, but for Michigan State fans, a focus on Andrew Maxwell is necessary.Andrew Maxwell can make a big statement against Central Michigan. (AP Photo)

It's safe to say this weekend is big for Maxwell. After an up-and-down debut last Friday at Spartan Stadium, the new Michigan State quarterback has plenty left to prove as the Spartans head into Mount Pleasant on Saturday to play Central Michigan.

There is no time like the present for the junior.

The Boise State test is out of the way and a victory in hand -- Maxwell's record at 1-0 as a starter. Now, sandwiching the Notre Dame game in East Lansing on Sept. 15 are two MAC opponents. First up is CMU on the road, then Eastern Michigan at Spartan Stadium. Looming beyond the Eagles is the first Big Ten game against Ohio State.

This game against the Chippewas is the perfect time for Maxwell to make a statement, and he needs to take advantage of it.

Le'Veon Bell launched the Spartans into the 2012 season with a win because of his big performance against Boise State, but he also launched himself from darkhorse in the Heisman race to candidate.Le'Veon Bell put his name in early Heisman discussions with a big game against Boise State. (MLive.com Photo)

That's what a 50-touch, two-touchdown game with 265 total yards will do for a player.

In the initial Heisman Watch from ESPN, Bell received enough votes to place him third behind USC's Matt Barkley and West Virginia's Geno Smith.

One of ESPN's experts even gave Bell his first-place vote.

Sports Illustrated ranked its top three in the same order, as Bell again checked in at number three.

ESPN's Big Ten blogger Brian Bennett added that if there was a week one Heisman trophy, Bell might be the winner of it.

Well, the Spartans are who we thought they were -- so far. A great defensive team with a great running back -- who might be even better than that.

Le'Veon Bell went off on Boise State on Friday night, outgaining the Broncos entire team, as Michigan State won 17-13 and extended its home win streak to 15.Le'Veon Bell led Michigan State over Boise State on Friday night with a career-high 210 yards rushing. (AP Photo)

Bell ran for a career-high 210 yards on 44 carries, while catching six passes for 55 yards -- 50 total touches compared to Boise State's 56 plays. The Michigan State defense shut down Boise State and allowed just 206 total yards. Bell also had two touchdowns in the Spartans' season-opening game for the third consecutive year.

“I was just out there running,” Bell said. “I had no idea how many carries or yards I had, I was just out there running, trying to win the game.”

Bell's previous career high was 141 yards, which he had against Western Michigan two years ago. Against these Broncos of Boise State, the junior could do little wrong -- spinning and making highlights along the way.

**More after the jump**

Football is back and for Michigan State, it means a big first game against Boise State. What a way to open the season. Top 25 opponent. Under the lights on Friday night. National television.

It's go time. Here is what to look for:

1. Sacks of SouthwickWill Gholston, right, and Marcus Rush have big roles to play against Boise State. (State News Photo)

Boise State only allowed eight sacks last season, but this one should feature many more hits on the quarterbacks. Boise State loves to throw quick slants and any other quick pass, so the Spartans will have to get into the backfield quickly but it should happen plenty. As for Will Gholston and Marcus Rush, they also will need to make sure to get their hands up when they don't get to the QB in time, the passes will be quick.

Southwick is getting his first start and the Michigan State defense will be getting after him quickly and often.

2. A low-scoring game

Both teams are replacing players at almost all skill positions on offense and while the Spartans return eight starters on defense, the Broncos also are replacing a lot of defensive players -- despite many returning with starting experience.

Michigan State allowed just 18.4 points per game in 2011 and that trend should continue.

**More after the jump**

We made it, you guys!

Since the 2011 season concluded when Anthony Rashad White's big ol' paw blocking a Georgia field-goal attempt in triple overtime, it has been a wild ride with plenty of ridiculous drama keeping fans longing for this moment.

From the moment Mark Dantonio "interrupted" a Michigan coach at a coaches clinic it was an offseason filled with Michigan State-Michigan drama.

Who could forget when Dantonio said "where's the threat?" regarding Michigan? Or what about when Michigan's heralded quarterback recruit Shane Morris' impersonation of Dantonio?

Mix in a lot (A LOT) of recruiting -- from the 2012 signing day to the class of 2013 taking shape -- and it has been quite the offseason.

But after all that, in a little more than 24 hours, the Spartans will square off with Boise State and the 2012 season will be underway at long last.

Get ready. Spartan Football is back. P4RB.

The Spartans added two big commitments to the 2013 class last weekend.

Chicago Julian defensive end Demetrius Cooper and Cass Tech offensive tackle Dennis Finley decided to join Michigan State's class and both cited the feeling of family at Michigan State as a big reason for their verbal commitments.

“It was the best spot for me,” Cooper said to Spartan Tailgate. “It was like a family up there. I’ll be able to play early. With Will Gholston going to the league next year I’ll have a chance to play early. They’ve had a lot of success with players similar to me and I want to be the next one to go to the league.”

**More after the jump**

The Spartans recruiting class has 11 commitments, and seven of them were ranked among the top 150 in the midwest by Scout.com.

Ten of the commits qualified for the ranking, as defensive tackle Devin Salmon is from Tampa, Fla.Linebacker Jon Reschke is rated the No. 35 player in the midwest according to Scout.com. (Scout.com Photo)

Birmingham Brother Rice linebacker Jon Reschke was the top-ranked player at No. 35.

The other six were:

64. Jalyn Powell, S, Warren, Ohio

68. R.J. Shelton, RB, Beaver Dam, Wis.

85. Shane Jones, OLB, Cincinnati

93. Gerald Holmes, RB, Flint Carman-Ainsworth

98. Trey Kilgore, WR, Cincinnati

138. Darian Hicks, CB, Solon, Ohio

Michigan State has offers out to many remaining uncommited players in the top 150, and is rumored to be among the leaders for defensive end Josh Augusta (58), offensive tackle Dennis Finley (59), safety Jalen Banks (60), defensive end Demetrius Cooper (71) and defensive end Ruben Dunbar (108).

Augusta, Finley, Cooper and Dunbar all have been reported to have MSU as their leader recently. The Spartans would not accept commitments from all those players, as the class has room for three or four more players. Expect the class to fill out with an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman, a safety and one more player (likely a second offensive lineman).

They also have offers out to wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (7), defensive tackle Donovan Munger (37), offensive tackle Kyle Meadows (89) and safety Marcus Ball (97).

(Editor's Note: This is the seventh installment of positional previews.

Previous: The Breakdown: Quarterbacks; The Breakdown: Running Backs; The Breakdown: Wide Receivers; The Breakdown: Offensive Line; The Breakdown: Defensive Line, The Breakdown: Linebackers)

Big Man on Campus: Johnny Adams

When people talk about swagger being a huge part of how the Michigan State defense plays, they likely are talking about Adams. The senior is as in your face as a player gets, and with how the Spartans defense plays its cornerbacks -- pressing up at the line -- Adams is exactly what Pat Narduzzi wants.

Oh, and he is not too shabby in coverage either.

After toying with the idea of leaving early for the NFL, Adams returned for his senior year -- and surely will continue the streak of Michigan State having a defensive back drafted, a streak which sits at three.

Joining forces with Darqueze Dennard, the two cornerbacks allow Narduzzi to do exactly what he wants: stack the box with nine guys and get after the quarterback. It takes away the short throws for opposing quarterbacks and is a luxury because of two fantastic corners.

**More after the jump**