Peach Bowl preview – Key players and matchups for Pittsburgh-Michigan State

If you’re a fan of points, this year’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between Pitt and Michigan State is probably the game for you.

Pitt has averaged 43 points in 13 games this season, while Michigan State has averaged nearly 32 points in 12 games. Both teams feature players who were considered Heisman candidates throughout the season and future NFL draft picks in Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett and Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III.

Thanks in large part to those stars, both teams exceeded expectations in 2021 and will now try to put a bow on neatly packaged seasons. Pitt broke Clemson’s six-year streak as ACC champion with an 11-2 record, while Michigan State finished 10-2 after going 2-5 in a pandemic-shortened season in Mel Tucker’s first year as head coach.

No. 10 Michigan State Spartans vs. No. 12 Pittsburgh Panthers
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
When: Thursday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
How to watch: ESPN and ESPN App
Opening line from Caesars Sportsbook: Pitt -3.5

Key player for Pitt: The easy answer here is Pickett, but instead let’s focus on star receiver Jordan Addison. The Biletnikoff Award finalist blossomed as a sophomore in 2021, becoming the most prolific receiver in the ACC. He’s racked up 93 receptions for 1,479 yards, to go with 18 total touchdowns — putting him squarely in the conversation with Pitt legend Larry Fitzgerald as one of the most productive receivers in program history. Addison finished seven games with at least 100 yards and had five multiple-TD games. He’s a matchup nightmare for Michigan State, whose secondary has struggled badly against quality receivers, but even if the Spartans blanket Addison, Pitt has shown an ability to find Plan B targets for big gains.

Key player for Michigan State:…