The Michigan State Spartans are feeling very excited for this season. They went 19–3 last season, going 7–1 in the Big 10. MSU wants their momentum to carry over from last years dominant season to this year’s hopefully better team. A lot of last year’s starters were seniors, including their quarterback, Connor Cook. Can MSU walk the road to victory this year?
It’s football time again, and the Spartans are looking to defeat the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium, for the Spartan’s home opener. This game will take place on Friday, September 2, at 7:00 P.M. Last year, Furman went 4–7, but they did not play the Spartans. This should be a good game!
Michigan State started off their season strong with a statement win against Furman this past Friday. They dominated the Paladins 28–13. The new first string quarterback, Tyler O’Connor, who was a backup last year, threw for 190 yards, and threw but one interception! Those are pretty good numbers for a new quarterback, espically their first game back. MSU has a lot of time to prepare for their next game, because they’ve got a bye week. MSU is feeling pretty confident for week 3 after this past game.
Up next, the Spartans take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at the Notre Dame Stadium. These little leprachans have quite a bit of fight in them, beating Nevada 39–10 the previous week, but losing to the Texas Longhorns 50–47 the week before. MSU wants to keep their win streak alive with this game, but so does Notre Dame. This is going to be a very tough game for both competitors.
After a close game for 4 quarters, MSU pulls through and defeats the Irish 36–28. MSU led in total yards, first downs, and rushing yard. MSU’s defense completely stopped Notre Dame’s run game, only allowing them 57 yards. Speaking of defense, the Spartans also has 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. That is Michigan State football, baby!
This week, the Spartans take on the Wisconsin Badgers at home. As of right now, Wisconsin is 4–1, taking a loss to Michigan. This is the Spartans time to show the Big 10 what they’ve got in store for the rest of the season. Michigan State is ready to put on a show this Saturday, the 24th. They are looking to embarras the Badgers at their place, and also to continue their win streak. We know MSU is game ready, but is Wisconsin?
This week was definitly not State’s week. They took a huge loss to the Badgers, 30–6. Even though Michigan State led in total yards and passing yards, State’s offense was not working as one. Dantonio ran down the list of categories in which his team came up short: “Possession time, turnovers, running the football, sacks, third-down conversions, combined with fourth-down conversions. It’s all right there. That’s why you don’t win a football game.” Dantionio hit the nail on the head with this one. Michigan State couldn’t seem to get a rhythm going on both sides of the ball. They did hold Wisconsin to only 122 rushing yards, so that has to mean something! MSU looks to forget about this game and focus on next week.
Next up, MSU has to hold their ground against the Indiana Hoosiers. Indiana is going into this game feeling pretty good since they are 2–1 so far. Last week, they took the L to Wake Forrest 33–28. Indiana is motivated to have a good game, but so is Michigan State. Both teams are game ready, but who will pull through?
That’s another devastating loss for Michigan State, as they lose by only a field goal in overtime. The game had been neck and neck all the way through, until the sophomore kicker, Griffin Oakes, nailed a 20 yard field goal. This kick sent a sound wave that silenced the whole stadium, except for the very few Indiana fans present. MSU’s defense did a pretty bad job that week, letting up a total of 437 yards, including 19 first downs. MSU also shot themselves in the foot constantly, with 11 penalties during the course of the game. This, again, was not Michigan State’s week. MSU needs to start proving they are playoff material… before it is too late.
Michigan State’s next game will be against the BYU Cougars at home. The cats are 2–3 defeating the Toledo Rockets last week 55–53. This had been a very close game throughout all four quarters, but BYU pulled through in the fourth. MSU now gets another crack at defeating a non-confrence team this week. The Spartans really need a win this week so that they can get back on track, and stop heading in the wrong direction. Hopefully MSU can make it happen this week, and come out of their home field with a win.
“As I told our football team after the game, I believe this program has been built on a good, solid foundation. It’s taken nine years to do that,” Dantonio said. “The ride up the mountain’s very difficult at times, and that ride down sometimes is very quick.” This is what Michigan State’s head coach had to say after taking a loss to BYU 31–14. BYU’s game had seemed to be working for them on both sides of the ball during the whole game. Everyone did their job, and they did it perfectly. The Cougars had led in first downs, total yards, and did not have any interceptions, where MSU had thrown one. Michigan State was, again, not mentally prepared for this game. It is starting to get disappointing that this is beginning to be the same story with the Spartans. Hopefully next week they will be more prepared and ready to rock and roll.
This week, Michigan State competes against the Wildcats of Northwestern. They are coming into this game feeling very confident winning the week prior to Iowa, making the Wildcats 2–3. This is not a very good record, but they have gone up against some very tough teams, and hung fairly close with them. MSU looks to start digging themselves out of the hole they have created for themselves already. As of right now, the Spartans are 2–3. Which again, are not that great of numbers to be putting up this far into the season. Michigan State, again, hopes that they can come prepared enough to defeat the Wildcats.
What is there to say about this game? Some call it a disappointment, while others just call it a “bad game.” Well, Dantonio is not very pleased with this game. At the press conference, Dantonio started off by looking at the positives of the game. He pointed out the interception and touchdown by Justin Layne, the freshman wide receiver. He also pointed out the kickoff return that brought the Spartans to within two. Michigan State fans also are not happy that they gave up a 14–0 lead in the first quarter. I am not sure what can be said about Michigan State at this point. They are 2–4, and things are not changing for the better. If State expects to even get a shot at the playoffs, they need to take their game to a whole new level. Everyone has heard the phrase “go big or go home” and this needs to be the case for Michigan State. Not to mention, they have their rivals, Michigan coming up very soon. Michigan is undefeated as of right now, and it does not look like they are slowing down anytime soon. They are going to be wanting revenge for last year, losing in the fourth quarter on a punt. But lets not get to far into the season. MSU needs to take it slow, taking it one game at a time.
Michigan State’s playoff run is getting slimmer and slimmer. Let’s hope that they will get things figured out before it is too late. As you can tell, Mark Dantonio is not putting up with any more losses from here on out. He looks to win out, including the Michigan game that is so quickly approaching. Dantonio cannot be the only one that is wanting success this bad. This cannot be just a coach’s best effort, but the whole team has got to be involved. Michigan State has the talent and the skills without a doubt, but do they have the motivation? This is the question floating around during the season thus far. The Spartans hopefully will exceed their fans’ expectations of the rest of the season. There is still quite a bit of football to be played.
Next, we are going to take a look at the next level of football, the professionals. More specifically, the Detroit Lions. They have not been one of the stronger teams in the league for the past few years, and are one of the few teams that have not made it to the Super Bowl yet. Maybe this is the year that this all changes… for the better.
