Michigan State’s Missteps: Self-Inflicted Wounds Doom Spartans Against Ohio State

Michigan State’s Missteps Another week, another wave of turnovers for Michigan State football.

The Spartans stayed competitive with Ohio State for most of the first half, but careless mistakes turned a potential lead into a 24-7 deficit by halftime.

In short, Michigan State’s self-inflicted errors were detrimental. Against a powerhouse like Ohio State, even a couple of mistakes can cost you the game.

Looking back, there were several moments when Michigan State advanced deep into Ohio State territory but squandered their chances with turnovers. For example, Jack Velling fumbled after a promising 26-yard catch, and a crucial fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak was stopped. Aidan Chiles also fumbled while scrambling, and a missed facemask penalty compounded the issues. Plus, Malik Spencer dropped an interception in the end zone, and Jordan Turner nearly recovered a fumble that could have changed the game.

At halftime, the Spartans were down by 17, but if they had capitalized on just a few of those opportunities, they could have been leading.

While we don’t focus on moral victories, the fact that Michigan State could have been within striking distance—or even ahead—against the No. 3 team in the nation is somewhat encouraging.

However, the constant, avoidable mistakes are frustrating.

If Michigan State can address the turnovers and penalties and finish drives, they could compete with anyone in college football. It’s important to remember that this team is still not at full strength. With improvements in these areas, the future looks promising for the Spartans in East Lansing.