Michigan State football: 3 takeaways from ugly win over Rutgers

1. This team is heating up

While Saturday’s win didn’t exactly feel like a win, it went down in the column as the Spartans’ fifth victory of the year and third in the past four games.

And if Michigan State didn’t mess up a couple of calls in the Michigan game, we may be talking about a much different season right now. I still think Michigan wins that game regardless of the fourth-and-1 call that was stopped deep in Wolverine territory. Still, that game should have been much closer than 29-7.

But I digress.

Michigan State has looked like a much different team over the past four games than the one we saw losing big to Washington, Minnesota, Maryland, and Ohio State. This current team probably gives Minnesota and Maryland a run for their money if they played today.

But growth is an encouraging sign. Sitting at 2-4, a bowl game seemed unlikely and even doubtful, but winning three of the next four games, including one on the road against the nation’s No. 14 team has changed things drastically.

This team is heating up. Better late than never.