Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will upset No. 10 Ohio State

Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will upset Ohio State in Week 11

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Tyler Higby #70 and Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 27: D.J. Knox #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs the ball and tackled by Michigan State Spartans defense in the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan State’s run defense is No. 1

We’ve been hearing it all season and there have been just a couple of backs who have broken through against the Spartans, but Michigan State’s run defense is the best in the nation.

A year ago, that would have been nice to have against Ohio State as both Mike Weber and JK Dobbins went off for over 100 yards. That won’t be the case again this season as the nation’s top-ranked defense allows just 71 yards per game on the ground and the Buckeyes have been struggling to run the ball effectively.

The offensive line isn’t opening the same lanes it did a season ago, but both Weber and Dobbins are 600-yard rushers on the season regardless. Not having a dual-threat quarterback probably have something to do with the lack of effective run plays.

The Spartans can stack the box on sure run plays and force the Buckeyes to try and beat them on the ground — which shouldn’t happen.

This run defense could be the difference.

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