Spartans Fall On Their Own Sword in Iowa City

Self-inflicted wounds plagued the Spartans in the second half; they just couldn’t get out of their own way.

Michigan State started the game moving the ball up and down the field. MSU’s offensive like looked like five road graders in the first half. Javon Ringer running through Iowa’s defense with ease.

Michigan State has had the propensity to make bad teams look good during the John L. Smith era. Changing the mentality of this team is going to take Mark Dantonio some time. Luck has got to be part of the equation and MSU hasn’t had a lot of luck this season in close games. The problem is that this game should not have been close.

Michigan State squandered a 17-3 first half lead. They took fourteen more points into the locker room and only managed to score three more in regulation. Penalties, dropped passes and a stiff Iowa rush defense took MSU out of their game plan in the second half.

Three close games have resulted in losses. Michigan State can and will find a win in its remaining three games to become bowl eligible. They desperately need to avoid making costly mistakes and cash in on the opportunities that come their way.

They had Iowa 2nd and 20 after a costly penalty in the second overtime. They brought the house, it landed three tenths of a second late and Christensen completes the pass to the goal line to set up the game winning score. This is the absolute epitome of Spartan football.

I don’t blame the coaches and heck I don’t even blame our kids. This is merely part of the rebuilding process. Dantonio is going to have to teach his kids how to win close games. He is going to have to teach his players how to put teams away and never let them recover. He is teaching our men about discipline and off the field accountability.

I am going to stand by my preseason word and support this team as long as they continue to play with solid effort every single week. Michigan State has played every game with a lot of effort. No matter the record, I will stand by them as long as they “bring-it” every Saturday. I am disappointed only because two of Michigan State’s four losses are to teams that MSU should have beaten. Michigan State has more talent than both Northwestern and Iowa. Time to batten down he hatches and get to a bowl game. Whether it’s sunshine or the streets of Detroit, I will be there.