There's no shortage of reasons for MSU's 31-13 loss to Michigan on Saturday.

A lack of discipline is one. A team of MSU's caliber can't compete with the best programs in the country if it's going to shoot itself in the foot. Eleven penalties for 87 yards? That's nearly impossible to overcome, particularly when the penalties result in first downs and give the opposition four more shots at a touchdown.

A lack of depth would be suitable for reason No. 2. MSU clearly missed sophomore running back Javon Ringer — they had a wide receiver lining up in the backfield on several plays. The suspension of tight end Kellen Davis also hurt.

Questionable coaching decisions might be reason No. 3. The biggest head-scratcher was the decision to split Drew Stanton out as a wide receiver on a crucial third-and-1 in the third quarter. Jerramy Scott took the shotgun snap and was stuffed. John L. Smith also should have challenged an early Wolverines touchdown.

One could even point to poor conditioning. The MSU defense was laboring in the second half, and several players went down with leg injuries.

But why beat around the bush? Is all this analysis really necessary? Can't these reasons be summed up in one statement?

It's simple: A good football team played a bad football team. The good football team won.

Ethan Conley can be reached at conleyet@msu.edu.