In two years under Mark Dantonio, the Spartans have gone 7-6 in October, but finished 4-2 in November.

Late-season collapses were a staple of the program under previous head coach John L. Smith. In four years under Smith, the Spartans went 7-8 in October but finished 2-11 in November — excluding a December loss at Hawaii.

Those late-season collapses were the foundation of the phrase “same old Spartans,” but in two years under Dantonio, MSU has done its best to shed that label.

The Spartans will have to continue November success if they want this season to continue past the 11th month. At 4-5, the Spartans will have to win at least two of their final three games to become bowl eligible.

Two weeks ago, the goal was a Big Ten championship. But after two close losses, the goal is a bowl game — and maybe more, Dantonio said.

“I think our goals, now, have to be win out in November,” he said. “I think that’s a realistic goal; I think that’s something we need to point to. We pointed to winning the last football game regardless of where we were at, so that’s a goal for us.”

Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins has been around the last two Spartans teams and said it’s important to learn how those teams were able to finish strong.

“I think we need to do what the last two teams have done, and that’s just stick to the grind and keep playing,” he said. “Not getting down, not getting too high, understanding that every game is a challenge and we have to play well and just do what those teams did.”

The Spartans were in a similar situation in 2007, Dantonio’s first season as head coach.

MSU went into November at 5-4 and, after a heartbreaking loss to Michigan on Nov. 3, sat at 5-5 and the loser in five of its last six games. The “same old Spartans” namesake returned.

But the Spartans were able to win their last two games, including overcoming a 17-point second half deficit against Penn State, to finish 7-5 and make a bowl game for the first time in four years.

Junior linebacker Greg Jones was on that 2007 team and said the key to salvaging this season is consistency.

“It think that’s what helps you to win,” he said. “It’s being consistent on all phases of the game, then just rely on each other; I think that’s what helps you win.”

The Spartans have been ravaged by injuries this season. So much so that Dantonio didn’t release a depth chart Tuesday because he didn’t know who was going to be available. But despite the injuries, Cousins said it’s important the Spartans fight through.

“Every team is facing injuries here and there so it’s nothing unique to us,” he said. “We’re just going to keep pushing with what we have, the guys that we have, and try to get the ones who are a little bit banged up healthy and the best that they can be. Obviously, we have three big games here and it’s all about how you finish, so we need to finish strong.”

If the Spartans are able to continue their season past this month, it will allow them to practice for another month, which helps younger players. It also will make the winter break much more enjoyable, Cousins said.

“Obviously, we don’t want to be sitting home over Christmas break. That’s just something that I feel is unacceptable,” he said. “That’s not something I want to associate myself with, so I will be fighting as hard as I can these last three weeks to do the best I can and make sure my teammates are doing the same.”