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Michigan State Football: 3 biggest disappointments from 2019 season

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks towards an official after a penalty was called against the Spartans during the first half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium on November 30, 2019, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks towards an official after a penalty was called against the Spartans during the first half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium on November 30, 2019, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 5: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes off on a 67-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans gives pursuit at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 5: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes off on a 67-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans gives pursuit at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

1. Defense

This had to be the biggest disappointment from the season because the Spartans’ defense was predicted to lead the Big Ten after an elite 2018 campaign.

Defensively, Michigan State’s season was a major letdown. Allowing 34 points to Ohio State, 31 to Indiana, 38 to Wisconsin and 44 to Michigan, the Spartans looked more than pedestrian when it mattered. Michigan State ranked 39th nationally in points allowed per game which isn’t terrible, but it’s not on the level that it’s used to.

Moreover, the Spartans allowed about 208 passing yards per game and 115 rushing yards per game which may not seem all that bad, but the latter was incredibly disappointing, especially considering they held Tulsa in the negatives in rushing to begin the year.

Michigan State had the No. 1 run defense in the nation last year, holding opponents to just 78 yards per game on the ground, but the Spartans struggled in that regard this year.

Veterans like David Dowell and Josh Butler didn’t have the consistent seasons they hoped for in the defensive backfield and Joe Bachie was suspended by the Big Ten for using a banned substance. This defense was a shell of itself from a season ago.

dark. Next. Michigan State's all-2010s starting five

People came into the season expecting an elite defensive showing from a unit that returned just about everyone and it ended up being a letdown, especially in big games.

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