Michigan State Football: Where is the soul of the 2019 team?

Michigan State football had a glorious opportunity to showcase toughness at Michigan, but showed little soul. Where do they go from here?

If there ever was a time for some fight from this team it was last Saturday. However, it appeared on the field that the soul of this Spartan team had already been ripped out before the game against Michigan even began.

Head coach Mark Dantonio made it clear that he would be back next season and for a few more seasons to come with his reference to finishing circles. This team came into the season with lofty goals: win a Big Ten title. For all accounts and purposes, it appeared on paper that it could be a reality. The 2017 team was close but did not measure up to Ohio State.

That could be where the problem is inherently lies. They measured up to the Buckeyes for a quarter, but the mistakes that plagued the team in 2018 reared its ugly head early on. That was the moment that this team lost its soul.

They have not quit on the season, but when they lost the chance to reach their goal, the belief evaporated. The Arizona State game could be one of ‘we were caught looking ahead.’

If you rewatch the Wisconsin game (why would you do that) you can see an emotionless team trying to compete, but they already know the season is over. They did not quit, but rather their soul had been ripped out. The Michigan game was the exclamation mark on a season of ‘what ifs’ that the Spartans will have to live with.

Wayne Dyer says, “Don’t die with your music still in you.” The point is don’t die with something left in the tank. Unfortunately, this team has left a plethora of plays to be had on the field.

The next two games should be about next season and getting players ready. There is a young core of exciting players. Even next year will be another tough season but MSU will be fun to watch as these players grow.

The question is, can Dantonio get these young players time between Rutgers and Maryland? Will he allow a freshman like Payton Throne (who they are excited about) see the field? Will he allow Theo Day to go and make mistakes and not yank him immediately?

The young offensive linemen have looked good for freshmen and it gives this team hope and promises for the future. It’s a huge reason Dantonio wants to stay and finish it. He knows what he has although he thought he would have something this season as well. However, he has his star running back in redshirt freshman Elijah Collins and he is only going to get better. The young wide receivers, Tre Mosley and Julian Barnett have bright futures ahead.

There is much to be excited about even though there will be growing pains in 2020.

The next two games need to be about what is ahead not putting a period on a dismal season. What do you think will happen?