Michigan State football seeks to end losing skid against lowly Minnesota offense

MSU's five-game losing streak equals its 2019 skid after the worst home loss in Spartan Stadium history.

In a stunning turn of events, Michigan State University (MSU) finds itself in a dire situation as they face a five-game losing streak, matching their previous losing streak from 2019. This comes after suffering the worst home loss in the 100-year history of Spartan Stadium. The team is now dangerously close to replicating their seven-game slide from 2016, a season that saw them finish with a disappointing 3-9 record and marked the only year that their former coach, Mark Dantonio, missed a bowl game in his 13-year tenure.

It is worth noting that since joining the Big Ten in 1953, MSU has only experienced one winless season in conference play, which occurred in 1958 under the guidance of Duffy Daugherty. The team had an 0-5-1 finish that year, a stark contrast to their usual performance. In fact, the Spartans have only had two one-win seasons in conference action, one in Daugherty's debut season in 1954 and another in 2016 under Dantonio.

Despite these setbacks, there is a glimmer of hope for MSU. History has shown that they have often bounced back after losing to their rival, the University of Michigan (U-M). Since Dantonio took over as head coach in 2007, the Spartans have won their next game five out of six times after facing U-M. This includes a remarkable victory on the road last season against a ranked Illinois team. This resilience and ability to rebound will be crucial as they try to break free from their current losing streak.

However, the Spartans' inconsistency has been a major issue. In their recent game against U-M, they struggled in every aspect of the game, failing to stop their opponent's potent offense and unable to make any headway against their ferocious defense. This lackluster performance is reflected in the statistics, with the defense giving up over 300 yards passing for the 14th time under defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton. Additionally, offensive coordinator Jay Johnson's unit has failed to reach 300 total yards of offense in 14 games.

Penalties have also plagued MSU throughout the season. In their game against U-M, they committed a staggering 11 penalties for 101 yards, adding to their already extensive list of infractions. This game marked their eighth appearance with nine or more penalties and their fourth game with over 90 penalty yards since 2020. The team currently ranks 120th out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in penalty yards per game, averaging 71.14, and is tied for 121st in the number of flags per game at eight. They have been penalized 56 times, costing them a total of 498 yards in just seven games.

Looking ahead, MSU's next opponent is the University of Minnesota. The Gophers recently ended an eight-game losing streak to Iowa and secured their first victory at Kinnick Stadium since 1999 with a narrow 12-10 win. Head coach P.J. Fleck, known for his offensive expertise, witnessed his defense shut out the Hawkeyes and limit them to a mere 12 yards in the second half. Minnesota's offense has struggled this season, ranking 121st in total yards, 126th in passing, and 112th in scoring. On the defensive side, they allow an average of 338 yards per game and 24.3 points, which places them 42nd and tied for 59th, respectively. It is worth noting that MSU suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Minnesota last year, losing 34-7 at home and breaking a five-game winning streak in the series dating back to 2010.

As MSU faces this critical juncture in their season, it is clear that they must address their issues of inconsistency and penalties. The team's ability to bounce back from adversity, as they have done in the past, will be crucial in turning their fortunes around. With a challenging opponent in Minnesota awaiting them, the Spartans must regroup, learn from their mistakes, and strive for a much-needed victory.

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