Michigan State football: What went wrong in first 2021 loss at Purdue?

3. Kenneth Walker III was a non-factor in the second half

Payton Thorne played well, going 20-30 with a controversial interception, which seemed to have been a “tie.” Somehow, the offensive production wasn’t enough to help out their defense.

Michigan State looked good on their final scoring drive, which ultimately seemed like it could be the start of a comeback. It ended with a major passing touchdown from Thorne to Tre Mosely. The Spartans also converted a two-point conversion on that drive.

If the defense could’ve forced a three-and-out, maybe Michigan State could’ve made the comeback. Instead, Purdue’s offense marched right back down the field for another field goal.

One still wonders where the offense went. It disappeared for almost the entire third quarter. Granted, much of that was due to the Spartans’ defense not getting Purdue’s offense off the field.

There were also some questionable calls: like a horrible play call on Michigan State’s second (of two) fourth-down conversions. Jay Johnson decided to get a receiver on a post route to the outside. No dice.

Has Michigan State’s offense gotten too predictable?

Even if Purdue has a good defense, they were well-prepared for everything Michigan State threw at them. The trick plays, flea flickers, and misdirections have a quick lifespan. If you’re always running trick plays, they almost start to become “expected.” For the Spartans’ offense, they may have reached that point.

Michigan State still has their entire season ahead of them. Surely, they need to beat the teams that they are better than: Maryland and Penn State. Both games sandwich a tough road game in Columbus when the Spartans take on Ohio State on Nov. 20.

The Spartans cannot expect to beat Ohio State with this secondary. CJ Stroud will sling it all over their defense.

Beating Ohio State could very well be the tiebreaker if Michigan State wins the rest of its games. With a win against the Buckeyes, the Spartans would hold tiebreakers against both Ohio State and Michigan, with who they would be tied. Even if Michigan beat Ohio State, it would not matter.

This is just the first real year of an expedited rebuild and 10-2 would still be a great season, even if those losses were to Ohio State and Purdue. Just remember, Michigan State lost to Nebraska in 2015 but ended up surprising an undefeated Buckeyes team at home. Hopefully, they have some magic inside them.