Like most Big Ten programs, when Michigan football and Michigan State football are at their best, it's usually because of the defense.
So when ESPN's Bill Connelly decided to stack up the best 50 college defense of all-time it's no surprise both programs were included. Michigan had far more entries, with five teams making the ranks, but Michigan State had the highest-rated Big Ten defense on the list.
In 2021, MSU's offense, led by one of the nation's best running backs and steadiest quarterbacks, was explosive en route to a 11-2 finish, but that's not usually the case for the Spartans.