Michigan State Spartans

Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

In today’s college football game, there are great defenses scattered across the country that all can dominate their opponent week in and week out.

But no defense is playing at a higher level than the Michigan State Spartans defense through Week 7 of the college football season.

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has his “Spartan Dawgs” defense playing at an incredible level, as they are leading the nation in multiple defensive categories and not allowing teams to run the ball or pass the ball against them.

As of right now, the Spartans currently lead the country in total yards allowed, allowing 203.8 yards a game. The Spartans are also leading in rushing defense (51.2 yards per game), passing efficiency and third down conversions (22 percent).

This weekend against the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Spartans absolutely suffocated the Hawkeye defense all game long, especially in the running game. Iowa ran the ball 16 times but was only able to manage 23 yards total, which is incredible.

These kind of numbers have never been seen by a Michigan State defense, and a number of factors can be attributed to the outstanding play of the unit.

The Spartans have played sound football at each position on the defense all year long. The secondary has shut down receivers, the linebackers have stopped the run and the defensive line has pressured the opposing quarterbacks every game.

Outstanding senior leadership mixed in with talented young athletes on the defense have proven to be the perfect formula and credit head coach Mark Dantonio for making the defense a major emphasis in his recruiting efforts ever since he arrived in East Lansing.

If the Spartans can keep up this level of play on the defensive side of the ball and the offense keeps improving week to week, the Spartans will be competing for a Big 10 championship in December.

Erik Sargent is a college football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Erik_Sargent, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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