As Rivalry week begins, I starting to wonder if the only way the Spartans avoid a loss on Saturday is if the bus gets lost on the way to Ann Arbor.

I’m not sure I’ve even been so disgusted with my alma mater in my lifetime. Yes, as a lifelong fan, I’ve endured some ugly losses – but never felt the level of disappointment I have this season. There have been years where we’ve been a mess and expectations were low. Then, this year – coming off of two 11 win seasons in a row – the Rose Bowl was the only place fans, coaching staff, and media expected MSU to be…until the season actually started. And yes, although it’s crazy to think they can win 11 games every year, some consistency would still be nice.

I will try my best not to be repetitive based on my previous posts on this subject, but I feel like we’ve hit rock bottom. Heck, we might be in a similar low to the Yankees today.  The team this year is just not good. They seem to have really bought into the hype about themselves and Dantonio is feeding the fans lines to get donations instead of looking in the mirror. If that Indiana game wasn’t a wake up call, nothing will be this year. We were putrid in that game, but found a way to squeak out a win. Then, the offense went back to being anemic at home. They have scored 6 TD’s in 5 home games this year. That is absolutely pitiful and am not sure we’ve ever had that low of productivity, even with the bad teams. Again, I ask: How does Dan Roushar still have a job?!? He should have been fired after ND and OSU – yet he’s still around to call plays and embarrass us. I plead to you Mark Dantonio – let your friend go and give us a glimmer of hope!

This team lacks heart. It breaks mine to write this. They don’t look motivated out there and appear to be content playing mediocre. At this rate, they will be lucky to get into a bowl game and can likely start making New Year’s Eve party plans, which no longer involve being in Pasadena. What an underachievement there. The defense hasn’t been perfect, but they can only do so much.

We need leadership and aren’t getting it from a 1st year starter who is struggling at QB. You can’t be 12 of 31 passing and be the starter. Especially at home against a team you’re better than. But he was.

The lack of discipline is still an issue. However, the play calling on offense and special teams made me wonder if John L Smith had made a cameo at Spartan Stadium. The lack of communication and clock management at the end of the half was inexcusable and falls on both the players and coaches. Additionally, in 2nd OT when they only needed 3 to tie, they threw in the pouring down rain instead of running the ball (which had been working pretty well all day). It made so sense at all but capped off a horrible game.

As I watched the game, and as I write this, I cringe to think if they’ve reverted to the Same Old Spartans. I’ve grown to hate that phrase, but unfortunately have run out of answers for the crap we’re seeing on the field. It seems as though the program is taking giant steps backwards now that they’ve tasted success. I have extremely low expectations for the game in Ann Arbor this weekend. Although the D will be able to contain Denard to an extent, I don’t think the offensive will spend enough time on the field to give them a blow or score enough points to help out. If the only way to win if by the defense getting into the endzone, you’re gunna end up with a lot of losses.

I hope Coach Dantonio and the team prove me wrong, but won’t get my hopes up about it. The best way to keep my anger down is to lower the expectations until we see anything to show that this team are winners.