Michigan State is currently in the midst of a five-game losing streak after starting the season 3-0. Big Ten play has not been kind to the Spartans, and it felt there could be some hope for an upset win over No. 25 Michigan on Saturday, but yet again, the game slipped out of their hands.
There was one crucial play, however, on Michigan's first drive in the second half, that could have changed the momentum of the game. On a 3rd and 8 play with a little under 13 minutes in the third quarter, Spartan defender Malcom Bell, who was coming off the EDGE for the pass rush, timed the snap perfectly and chased down Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Bell forced a fumble from Underwood that was recovered by the Spartans. However, the refs threw a flag on the play and said that Bell was offside, and the Wolverines were given a free play, and the fumble was null and void.
In the video below, however, it is clear that Bell timed the snap perfectly, as even admitted by the announcers calling the game.
A Michigan fumble is nullified on an offsides that wasn't. Another brutal call against MSU. https://t.co/aKNt0m51s8
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 26, 2025
This fumble could have turned the tide for the Spartans as Michigan was on the 21-yard line in Spartan territory. However, if the Michigan State offense had been able to get the ball and, with the momentum now on their side, taken it down the field for some sort of score, it certainly would have made a difference in the game.
The state that this Spartan football program is in right now is certainly not what anyone wants, and head coach Jonathan Smith is definitely on the coaching hot seat. Another loss could result in his firing, which would make him the 11th coach fired this season.
Something has to change for Michigan State, or they are going to lose recruits and not be able to build this program for the future.