Tom Bradley's head sank at the mention of gameplanning for Michigan State running back Javon Ringer.

Then the Penn State defensive coordinator thought of the possibilities of a refreshed Ringer coming off of a bye week.

"Geez, he's gonna be well rested too, he may get 50 [carries]," Bradley said. "He's a great back, he may be the best we play this year, he's tough. They're playing as good as anybody in the league right now."

While Ringer hasn't had 50 carries in a game this season, he has come close. Twice he's toted the ball more than 40 times in a contest, and he's only registered less than 30 carries four times in 11 games.

After splitting carries during his first three seasons, Ringer has flourished as the Spartans' feature back. He ranks first nationally in carries (353) and touchdowns (20), and second in yards (1,548).

What makes those numbers more impressive are his durability. While listed at 5-foot-9, 202 pounds, Ringer is not as tall as most backs. But Nittany Lion safety Anthony Scirrotto said Ringer possesses deceptive strength and speed.

Ringer's short stature also allows him to hide behind his offensive line, which has an average height of 6-foot-5. Scirrotto said that combination gives Ringer the ability to pop through a hole and surprise a defense.

"He's explosive and he has great vision. He seems to find a crease and find a hole when there doesn't seem to be one," Scirrotto said. "He's not the biggest guy and doesn't seem to be fast, but when he pulls away, he's a strider and a very strong runner, too. So we've got a handful with him coming in and trying to stop him."

Without Ringer, the rest of the Spartan rushing attack averages just 7.1 yards per game. That kind of imbalance wasn't specifically designed at the start of the season, according to Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio.

But he said it's hard not to give the ball to Ringer when he's been so productive.

"We wanted to try to give him a little rest, but it seems that he becomes stronger in the fourth quarter. He's an extremely well-conditioned athlete," Dantonio said. "So we've used him when we've needed him, and we've needed him a lot.

"You want to get your best players the ball, and when your best player's your tailback you're going to try to find ways to give it to him."

And that game plan sits fine with Ringer. He said he loves getting the ball and can't stand waiting on the sideline.

Even after twisting his ankle two weeks ago against Purdue, Ringer only missed a couple of plays before going back onto the field. All he had to do, he said, was "let the pain go numb" and he was fine.

He said he never gets tired.

"The only time I'm like, 'This is ridiculous,' is when everybody's down in the box and it's almost impossible to run," Ringer said. "It's never a case where I'm winded or tired of being banged on."

While Ringer has posted huge stats this season, he has never fared well against Penn State. In three career games against the Lions, he's rushed for a total of 52 yards on 19 carries (or six carries per game).

But odds are, barring injury, Ringer will eclipse his six carry average against Penn State sometime during the first quarter, maybe even the Spartans' first drive.

Lion defensive end Josh Gaines said he expects the Spartans to try to do what they have all season and pound the ball with Ringer.

So the game plan is simple, Gaines said -- find Ringer.

"He's a little guy, but he's strong as an ox and a hard worker," Gaines said. "He can have that same burst in the first quarter that he has on the last play in the fourth quarter, so we're going to have to gang tackle him.

"You can't bring him down one-on-one so the D-line's gotta be running and we gotta have high motors this week and be running all over the field."