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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans can still win Big Ten title

By Connor Muldowney

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 26: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball past John Reid #29 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter on November 26, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 26: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball past John Reid #29 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter on November 26, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Peyton Ramsey #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by linebackers Joe Bachie #35 and Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Peyton Ramsey #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by linebackers Joe Bachie #35 and Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

3. Defense is still top-notch

Despite the showing against Northwestern, Michigan State’s defense is still one of the best in all of college football. Don’t believe me? All you have to do is look at the numbers.

In fact, the Spartans rank fourth in the country against the run, and that’s impressive given the fact that they have faced backs such as Josh Adams, Jarvion Franklin, Justin Jackson, Akrum Wadley, Morgan Ellison, Rodney Smith and Karan Higdon this season. They have yet to allow an opposing starting running back to finish with over 65 yards. The defensive line and linebackers, led by Joe Bachie, have been a driving force against the run.

Even after allowing over 350 passing yards to Clayton Thorson and Northwestern, the Spartans rank 31st in the country against the pass. The secondary is loaded with talent such as Josiah Scott, Justin Layne, David Dowell and Khari Willis. They will adjust after getting dinked and dunked by Northwestern.

The Spartans also have the nation’s 25th-ranked scoring defense and they have been solid in all but three games this season (Northwestern, Notre Dame, Minnesota).

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