Michigan State wants more big plays in the running game this season, and it wants one guy to step up and deliver them.
The Spartans stuck to a "hot hand" strategy throughout the 2015 season, splitting carries between as many as four running backs evenly at the start of a game before deciding who was having the best day of the group. The result was a paralysis of options at times, a rushing game that took a step backward, and a frustrated coordinator.
"It was hard to manipulate. I think it was hard on the players," said offensive coordinator Dave Warner, who also coaches the running backs.