Michigan State Football: 3 goals and a prediction vs. Maryland

3. Look alive

Much like last week, I asked them to look focused and they looked the opposite of that. I really need to see some focus and heart from this team. The fans need to see some focus and heart from this team.

Aside from what, two games in the 2021 season, this fanbase has been given table scraps at best for the better part of five seasons. The 2017 season was a nice surprise, but 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022 have been mediocre. At best, we’re expected to be competing for a Big Ten championship and a playoff berth every once in a while. At worst, eight wins. Mark Dantonio proved that this school has a championship pedigree, but the aura of 2015 has completely faded.

I understand that we weren’t expecting to win 12 games this year, but the minimum bar has been set to beat the teams you are supposed to beat and sneak in an upset somewhere along the way. The way the team looked last week has given every fan flashbacks of 2016 or 2022. There is simply too much talent on the team to play like that.

Four years of Mel Tucker, who was heralded as a master recruiter, and they are getting worse every year. I know recruiting rankings are more like booster mood rings but there were decent recruits and endless potential coming into the school via the transfer portal and this secondary still stinks. The pass rush still stinks and I’m sick of it.

Spartan fans have been beaten down so badly in the last few years that the highlight has been a Sweet 16 appearance. That’s wholly unacceptable for a university that put a football team in the College Football Playoff and a Final Four in the same year.

I’m losing faith in this university’s competence at the administrative level and the decision-making at the athletic level. So help me God if MSU hoops has a disappointing year.

Prediction: Michigan State 28, Maryland 27