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Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from upset of Penn State in Week 10

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can't make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can't make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Matt Sokol #81 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions next to head coach Mark Dantonio at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Matt Sokol #81 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions next to head coach Mark Dantonio at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Mark Dantonio’s still got it

Remember when there were some (albeit very few) members of the Michigan State fan base calling for Mark Dantonio’s job. Sure, everyone knew he was stubborn enough to keep his coaching staff after a 3-9 season, but it has worked in his favor as the Spartans are now 7-2 with a chance to play for a Big Ten title in December.

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Yes, just months after a nightmare offseason and 2016 season, the Spartans have more than doubled their win total from a season ago. After poor seasons (2009, 2012), Dantonio has found ways to quickly turn things around. He thrives on motivating his players after poor campaigns.

That rings truer than ever in 2017. Finishing with his worst record as a head coach in 2016, the remaining players from that team along with the incoming freshmen have made it their mission to never repeat that. He has coached his way to a 5-1 Big Ten record with a shot to beat Ohio State and move closer to the Big Ten East title in Week 11.

Next: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for November

If looks like he’s already locked up the Big Ten Coach of the Year award and there’s a good chance he could win the National Coach of the Year if he makes the conference title game. Dantonio’s still got it, folks.

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