What a Win Over Purdue Would Mean For Michigan State

Michigan State is two wins away from making its first bowl game since 2021. The quest starts with a meeting with Purdue on Friday.
Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

A win over Purdue would be a crucial stepping stone for Michigan State football as the Spartans look to secure bowl eligibility in a season that has been filled with ups and downs.

While Purdue is unranked and currently struggling, a victory against the Boilermakers would still carry significant weight for MSU. First and foremost, it would bring the Spartans one step closer to reaching the necessary six wins to become bowl-eligible. With only one game remaining on the schedule after Purdue — against Rutgers — this victory would place MSU in a favorable position to achieve that goal.

The road to a bowl game this year has been a challenging one for MSU. Injuries, inconsistent play, and the pressure of navigating a rebuilding year under first-year head coach Jonathan Smith have all factored into the team's performance. However, this win could serve as a much-needed confidence booster heading into the final stretch of the season. It would also signal to the team and their fans that the Spartans are on the right trajectory, despite the struggles along the way.

For Purdue, while it is unranked and has been facing its own set of challenges, a win over the Boilermakers would still have a symbolic weight for MSU. It would demonstrate that the Spartans are capable of handling business against an opponent they should beat, which is important for both morale and momentum. MSU has already shown that it can compete with the best teams in the Big Ten, but a victory over a struggling Purdue squad would be a statement that it can win when it counts, against teams the Spartans are expected to defeat.

From a broader perspective, bowl eligibility has become a benchmark for success in college football, especially after a few disappointing seasons. A win over Purdue would signify progress under Smith's leadership and further solidify the foundation for the future of the program. It would give fans something to rally around as MSU continues to rebuild, and it would offer a glimpse of optimism for the coming years.

Furthermore, the added incentive of a bowl game would provide the team with extra practice, exposure, and potential to build momentum heading into the offseason.

In summary, a victory over Purdue would not only bring MSU closer to bowl eligibility but would also serve as an important milestone in the rebuilding process under Smith. It would show that the Spartans are on the right track, with one more hurdle to clear before capping off a challenging season on a positive note.

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