Michigan State’s quick rebound has doubters
Michigan State offers a prime example of how fleeting respect can be in college football.
Fresh off an emotional last-second victory over 27-24 Penn State on Saturday, the Spartans are 7-2 overall and lead the Big Ten East Division. After posting a dismal 3-9 record last season — the worst of coach Mark Dantonio’s 11-year tenure and the fewest wins since the Spartans were 3-8 in 1991 — Michigan State has flipped the script. A program trending toward turmoil has risen to the top of the conference in a season.
Even with the inside track to the conference championship game in the Spartans’ grasp, doubters remain. Ohio State opened as a 15-point favorite over the Spartans for their matchup on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Dantonio isn’t concerned about regaining the public’s respect. He’s aware that winning will take care of the outside noise.
“I don’t worry about that,” Dantonio said when asked about not receiving respect. “Shoot, I saw where Graham (Couch of the Lansing State Journal) had an article about the playoffs in the paper. I was like, wow, we’ve come a ways.
“I really think that that’s for other people. I watch film, and I watch our players. I know we need to get better, and we need to do some things better on the field. And I also watch film to see how people are playing, and we devise a plan to try and attack those things and be confident and make sure we play hard, and that’s what we’ll try and do.”
Michigan State, traditionally known for its pro-style offense and stout run defense, reverted from that reputation in last year’s lackluster season. In 2016, the Spartans failed to stop the run consistently, allowing 158.7 rushing yards per game (ninth in the Big Ten). This season, the Spartans lead the Big Ten in run defense, allowing 87.1 yards per game.
What was once perceived as a program in need of rebuilding is way ahead of schedule, providing even more optimism. A young team — MSU has only one senior starter on offense and two on defense — is on a trajectory to grow more powerful by the season.
The Buckeyes are the last major test for the Spartans in their three remaining regularseason games; they finish by hosting Maryland and traveling to Rutgers.
The Spartans are in the driver’s seat in their division, something that appeared light-years away at the beginning of the season.
“Where we’re at right now is pretty much where we wanted to be, in control of our own situation, our destiny, I guess. We at least can control some things,” Dantonio said. “That’s where you want to be in November. We’ll see where it all shakes out, and challenges wait.”