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Michigan State Football: Patience will be key for fans in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 08: Michigan State Spartans head football coach Mark Dantonio reacts to a Brigham Young Cougars first down late in the fourth quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 8, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Brigham Young defeated Michigan State 31-14. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 08: Michigan State Spartans head football coach Mark Dantonio reacts to a Brigham Young Cougars first down late in the fourth quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 8, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Brigham Young defeated Michigan State 31-14. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Although Michigan State football needs a quick turnaround, patience will be key for Spartan fans, coaches and players in 2017.

In baseball, teams rid themselves of veteran players if they aren’t in contention in order to build for the future. Essentially, they must blow things up in order to build for the long-haul. Currently, Michigan State football is experiencing a similar situation, but on a much smaller scale.

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No, the Spartans didn’t “rid” of any veteran pieces, rather many graduated, some transferred and four younger guys were kicked off the team for their roles in sexual assault cases. However, Michigan State had to completely tear things down in order to build for the future.

What does that mean? Michigan State is basically a team filled with young prospects who have tremendous potential, but it could be one, two or maybe even three years before the program is back to winning 10 games on a consistent basis.

Mark Dantonio didn’t want it to be this way, but he knows this is what has to happen in order to build the empire back to how it used to be. The young players must help develop that culture again and, yes, they may take their bumps and bruises, but they will be the building blocks for a better Michigan State program.

Before Dantonio got to Michigan State, the program was in disarray. The team seemed to be going nowhere and the new head coach seemed like the last hope. He helped turn things around almost instantly and led the Spartans to a bowl game in each season until 2016. He’s no stranger to fixing wrongs as he’s done so each of the times his team has underachieved.

In fact, the last time Michigan State finished poorly was 2012 and the following year, the Spartans made it to the Rose Bowl. Adjustments will be made this season, but it won’t be quite as fluid.

For fans, patience is a virtue. I know it’s the last thing you want to hear as a fan of a program that had won 10-plus games in 4-of-5 seasons, but the culture was off in 2016 and it will take some time for these young guys to build it back to where it was.

Be patient with this young team. Guys like Brian Lewerke, Joe Bachie, Cam Chambers, Justin Layne, Trishton Jackson and Josiah Scott are asking you to just trust the process. They’re the building blocks for what’s to come.

Don’t listen to rival fans who say, “Michigan State’s best days are behind them now.” Don’t believe that, well, because it’s just not true. One major setback for an even bigger comeback.

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The pieces are in place, the team is as young as it’s ever been (nine seniors), but don’t get too frustrated when the Spartans have their share of growing pains in 2017. It’s going to happen, but that just means the seasons to follow will be that much better because of it. This program will be back on top, but it won’t happen overnight.

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