Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from huge win at Rutgers in Week 6

Oct 9, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) runs the ball ahead of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Christian Izien (0) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 9, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Noah Vedral (0) runs the ball against Michigan State Spartans defensive end Jeff Pietrowski (47) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Michigan State shot itself in the foot too much

Let’s start out with the bad news: Michigan State shot itself in the foot too much. The Spartans faked a field goal (baffling call) in the first half and it was blown up.

Then all of the pre-snap penalties on offense and special teams really killed the Spartans in the field position battle. And we can’t forget that poor clock management at the end of the first half which concluded with a blocked field goal.

Too many delays of game, too many poor calls on third-and-short, and too much confusion before snaps. The Spartans need to clean that up before facing Indiana next weekend.

Michigan State is now bowl eligible and the Spartans just won by double digits on the road against a Big Ten foe after playing a really undisciplined game and that’s actually a good sign that they are for real.

The Spartans have to clean this stuff up and then they’ll be really dangerous.

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