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Michigan State football: 3 implications of massive win over No. 6 Michigan

By Brad LaPlante

Michigan State's Matt Allen, right, and Sparty celebrate with the Paul Bunyan Trophy after beating Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211030 Msu Michigan 277a
Michigan State's Matt Allen, right, and Sparty celebrate with the Paul Bunyan Trophy after beating Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211030 Msu Michigan 277a /
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Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) is lifted by offensive lineman J.D. Duplain (67) for scoring a 2-point conversion against Michigan during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.
Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) is lifted by offensive lineman J.D. Duplain (67) for scoring a 2-point conversion against Michigan during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. /

2. Michigan State is legit and mental toughness leads the way

Each week it seems, Michigan State finds a way to win. They won on a special teams play against Nebraska, escaped against Indiana, destroyed teams like Northwestern and Miami. In every game, we discover and unearth something new.

Against Michigan, they found another way to win.

Around the six-minute mark in the third quarter, Michigan scored a touchdown to make it 30-16. On Michigan’s very next drive, the Spartans were much more aggressive, showing pressure, getting to McNamara, and stopping the run.

The best asset Mel Tucker has imposed on this team is the will to win. They didn’t quit against Indiana, didn’t quit against Nebraska, and definitely didn’t quit against Michigan. They do not flinch. They forced a 16-point comeback, resulting in Michigan’s fall.

Having Walker helps, but it’s the two fumbles forced against JJ McCarthy, the defense stepping up in big moments near the end, it’s staying in the game and making something happen.

The defense made key plays, especially when they came up big in Michigan’s drive at the beginning of the fourth quarter. They stuffed Blake Corum for a two-yard loss on first down. On the next play, McNamara threw a three-yard pass to Erick All. On third-and-nine, Justin White blitzed off the corner to force an incomplete pass. Perfect timing. That drive changed the game, which was almost over six minutes ago.

Michigan State’s next drive ended with a 58-yard touchdown run by Walker. Payton Thorne to Jayden Reed for the two-point conversion. The Spartans forced a Michigan field goal on the next drive. Then the Spartans punted it, forced a Michigan fumble, recovered, took over, then went straight down the field to end with a 23-yard Kenneth Walker III touchdown run.

The rest is history.

They have the mental toughness to do the unthinkable and may end up ahead of Oklahoma in the first College Football Playoff rankings. They may be ahead of Ohio State, too.

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