Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio speaks to the media on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, in East Lansing. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press
Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio has built a successful program over the past 12 years based on a simple formula: play great defense and successfully run the ball.
The Spartans checked the first box of that formula this season, ranking first in the nation in run defense (81.3 yards per game) and 14th in total defense (311.5 yards).
The same cannot be said when it comes to the run game.