Foster: Michigan State Must Focus Or Could Risk The Unthinkable, Even Against Michigan
By: Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971
East Lansing – Jeremy Langford kept churning for the chains. He didn't want to be a hero, he simply wanted to end the game.
One more stride. That's all this fifth-year senior running back needed to reach a first down and ensure MSU could take a couple knees to end its closer than expected game with Nebraska. The Cornhuskers kept stretching him and the next thing Langford knew he was shoved out of bounds.
The clocked stopped with more than a minute to go instead of inside 30 seconds. It would give Nebraska new life and one last hope to pull off an improbable victory.
They came close but the game finally ended when Trae Waynes intercepted a pass.
For Langford it was a valuable lesson. Sometimes less is more. Langford ends the game simply by staying inbounds.
"At the time I thought I had the first down," Langford said. "I was going to get that first down and end it. But it is a lesson learned. I got to keep that clock running."
Langford kept saying it: "lesson learned, lesson learned."
He said it over and over again.
Michigan State nearly lost more than a football game. The Spartans almost trashed a bigger picture.
The Spartans came within one play of making their Big Ten title chances more difficult. They came within a play of their national title chances ending. They came within one play of igniting coach Mark Dantonio who would have been a bear to deal with this week following a loss.
"We've got to finish out the second half and not come out complacent and lackadaisical," Langford said. "We've got to come out on offense and give our defense a chance."
A quick aside. Do not assume the Spartans will make the playoffs, even if it runs the table. The only quality win would be against Ohio State, a team that could finish with three losses. There will be a bunch of one loss teams with better signature wins because they play in better conferences.
However, the Spartans have a chance.
There are two regular season games the Spartans must be wary of. Ohio State because it is Ohio State and Michigan. OK, do not snicker. I know Michigan is a dumpster fire now. But this is a game that could be tricky.
No one believes Michigan can beat MSU, including the Spartans, and it is a rivalry. MSU is stronger, more physical and better equipped to win that game. But it is also a game where I could see them pound Michigan early and let off the gas.
The Spartans are a very good football team. I do not buy that this is a second-rate program. However, it is a team that must focus for 60 minutes or it could risk the unthinkable.
