EAST LANSING — The stadium was half-empty on a wintery Senior Day, and it was a Michigan State team taking the field that had fallen short of its goals to repeat as Big Ten champions and earn a College Football Playoff position.

Coach Mark Dantonio told anyone who would listen before the season that it would be hard to repeat as league champs and follow up on that magical Rose Bowl run, and he was right.

All of the ingredients were present for the Spartans to come out with a flat performance against Rutgers on Saturday.

All of the ingredients, that is, except compromised or poor leadership.

It’s often said that players follow the lead of their head coach. That rings true at Michigan State, where the well-documented chip on Dantonio’s shoulder carries over to his football teams and especially his senior classes.

On Saturday, Rutgers felt the sharp edge the Spartans continue to play with in a 45-3 Michigan State victory. - Read more at MLive.com