The Aftermath of the MSU vs. Minnesota Game: What do we know now?
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Standing on the field after the Michigan State vs. Minnesota game left me with more questions than answers? Sadly, in year three of the Mark Dantonio rebuilding project this was not expected. There were mistakes by players and coaches, and Mark Dantonio’s answer to my question, referencing his player’s statements of being shocked said it all, “I’m shocked.â€
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I could go through a litany of mistakes that have been discussed ad nauseum, but what would that do? There is, however, one clear problem with this team. They are predictable.
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I have been waiting to discuss this until after the season, and I assure you that when it is done I will get into a lot of detail. For now, from TV announcers, opposing head coaches, opposing players, fans, that janitor that works the night shift, and I even think the guy I stopped to get a shoe shine from in the Minneapolis airport knows what MSU will do.
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Now that isn’t necessarily bad in football. During the Vince Lombardi era, he openly bragged about a handful of plays, and the fact that people could call them out and he would still beat them. It works when you have overwhelming talent. MSU does not.
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In fact, the Spartan coaching staff should be doing more to put their team in the best position to win, and their predictability is hurting them. It was player mistakes that set them back, but it was a lack of creativity that cost them the game.
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The Spartans scored enough to win games; most games with a competitive defense that is. In fact, the Spartans have lost five games and in those games, Don Treadwell’s offense has scored an average of an amazing 27 points. They also lost all five of those games by an average of 5 points.Â
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The Spartans now have three games left, against three good teams and they have to win two of them to get bowl eligible. Let us make one thing very clear. This team needs to step up and fast. Penalties are hard to take, but unforced penalties are inexcusable. This team has enough blame to go around.
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The biggest is the fact that they aren’t good enough to be predictable. They aren’t the Packers, or even the Chippewas for that matter. I have written many times that CMU gave the nation the blue print on how to beat MSU, and Minnesota followed it.
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With three games left this coaching staff can’t “FIX†it. They somehow have to bandage this team back together and salvage what is left. Not making a bowl game would clearly make this season a failure, and they can’t afford that setback in year three of a rebuilding project.Â
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I do expect this team to win two of the remaining three, but it could just as easily be 3-0 or 0-3. Now is not the time to be stubborn. Now is not the time to worry about players’ or coaching staff’s feelings. This is about big time football and it is about winning.
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The Spartans have 18 days to get the ship right. Seniors need to dig down and lead with pride and guys that aren’t seniors need to grow up fast.. The guys who aren’t red shirting have to send a message that they need to be part of the plan for next year, and coaches need to show that they can do it with their back against the wall and not against Montana State. Â
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This program faced a season on the brink with their backs against the wall in 2007. Although this is the same program, this is not the 2007 team. This team has issues that that team didn’t have; issues we will talk about after the season. For now, the next three weeks rest squarely on the coaching staff. They have to save their season. They have to get this team to a bowl game. I expect them to, but it all rests on them.Â
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This team fought and clawed and didn’t quit.  Pointing to the no quit of this team is germane and accurate. That is one of the biggest signs that this program is undergoing a culture change. These kids are making mistakes, but it starts at the top. Or should I say the press box in the coaching booths.Â
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I know that players make plays and not coaches. I also know that when coaches let their opponents’ jobs become easier with predictability, they can also cost them games.
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No more excuses. This game is a game of inches. Coach Dantonio’s loyalty and character are to be commended. This staff needs to step up. Coach Dantonio needs the best week of the year from his guys. From the men whom he has shown and demonstrated incredible loyalty, he now needs more.
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Players make plays, plays that coaches call. This season is almost over. We knew coming in that this was not a strong senior class. These last three games will be under a microscope, clearly positioned on the staff.