The Chinese Philosopher Confucius once said ,“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” This quote is very accurate when you look at Michigan State’s football team this season. Prior to the start of Big Ten play, the team looked very average and I wondered if fans should prepare for a season of disappointment (https://msmittensmound.com/2013/10/05/same-old-spartans-questions-remain-as-msu-begins-b1g-play/). However, despite the slow start, the team stayed focused on their goals – winning their division and playing in the Rose Bowl – and instead of adjusting those goals, they worked together to make changes to keep those goals within reach.

The Spartans had a slow and humbling start to the season

As mentioned before, the season began with big quarterback questions and pretty low expectations after 4 non-conference games where the team looked far from impressive. In my bye week blog, I highlighted several things that the team needed to improve on and adjustments to make. From questionable play calling, to offensive woes, and special teams mistakes, there were plenty of areas for improvement. It’s no surprise that the coaches saw this too and took the bye week to make critical adjustments before they opened the Big Ten season on the road at Kinnick Stadium, a place they had struggled to find success in their previous visits. However, the Spartans came into Iowa City with a new identity as Cook had a career day (yes, he had only started a few games, but this was big on the road) and their defensive effort was dominant. With the top ranked defense in the country, they also defeated Indiana, Purdue and Illinois in October setting up a showdown with arch-rival Michigan.  Going into that contest, there were still questions from skeptics wondering who this MSU team really was, but fans had a renewed optimism and felt that the team was going from questionable to contender.  Cynic or Believer… everyone agreed that starting with the Wolverines, their biggest tests were yet to come.

The team celebrates another victory as they continue to “pound the nail”

Rivalry week was always a big deal in East Lansing, however since Coach Dantonio came back to MSU in late 2006, he has taken it to a new level. As in most years, there was much hype prior to this years’ meeting, but the Spartans came to play and were up to the challenge. After going down 3-0 in the opening drive, they never looked back en route to a lopsided 29-6 victory. Michigan was left bloodied and defeated in all aspects of the game as the Spartans looked like they had finally found their groove – and the second bye week afterwards to enjoy the win couldn’t have come at a better time. Michigan State next had to prepare to face their biggest test of the season with a trip to Lincoln where they had to defeat their past demons and beat an opponent they have never beaten in a crazed environment. Yes, going into that game, MSU was 0-7 against Nebraska. Taking on Big Red far from East Lansing looked to be a immense challenge for the Spartans. At the team meeting the night before the game, Coach Dantonio gave every player a nail as a reminder of their goals to finish the job and “pound the nail.” While the game was close at times, Michigan State never trailed as they forced 5 turnovers in a forceful win that gave them a share of Legends Division title. With another balanced outing by the offense and solid defense, the Spartans look like a whole new team compared to what we saw in September.

On Saturday, the Spartans visit Ryan Field and will take on the Northwestern Wildcats. Once ranked with high hopes for the season, the Wildcats have limped their way through the Big Ten season coming up short game after game.  Sometimes unlucky, and sometimes snake bit, they are still looking for their 1^st conference win and will still provide a formidable challenge for Michigan State on Senior Day in Evanston. With a win or Minnesota loss, the Spartans will punch their ticket for the Big Ten Championship Game and a meeting with Ohio State. They have to stay humble and hungry for each game as they follow Dantonio’s latest slogan “Chase It.” A team that started the season unranked is now #13 in the country and looking to stay unbeaten in the Big Ten. When it looked obvious that their goals couldn’t be reached earlier this season, they didn’t give up. Instead, they worked together and found something within themselves, adjusted their action steps, and find themselves only steps from the division title and achieving their ultimate goal.