However, after two standout weeks against Iowa and Indiana, many — including myself — were singing the praises of the Spartans, preaching the gospel that sophomore quarterback Connor Cook, along with the rest of the offense, had broken through, a sign the team isn’t as far away from their Rose Bowl dreams as once was imagined.

But like ESPN’s Lee Corso getting body slammed by Bill Murray on College GameDay: Not so fast, my friend.

During a 14-0 victory against Purdue (1-6 overall, 0-3 Big Ten) Saturday, the Spartans (6-1, 3-0) displayed much of the same uninspired offense that troubled the team to open the season, allowing a predicted blowout to turn into a too-close-for-comfort two-possession game.

Despite many lamenting a lackluster showing, head coach Mark Dantonio praised the positives of the game, which he said includes earning bowl eligibility and recording the team’s first shutout since 1999.

“We won the football game and I’m never going to apologize for winning,” Dantonio said “So, I thought our defense really handled the adversity that was put forth on them. They had some sudden-change situations thrown at them numerous times. They also gave up some big plays, which put them in those situations again and they kept responding.”

Few expected much of anything out of Purdue, who entered the weekend led by a freshman quarterback and at or near the bottom of most Big Ten statistical categories including scoring offense, scoring defense and pass efficiency, among others. Before Saturday, the Boilermakers had lost five games by an average of a little more than 28 points — a four-touchdown swing each time they take the field.

Against the Spartans, Purdue’s Danny Etling looked serviceable moving the football and, aside from a 45-yard fumble recovery touchdown by senior linebacker Denicos Allen, Etling kept the Boilermakers in the game until the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Cook had his worst showing to date, overthrowing multiple targets during the game, including a certain touchdown to junior Keith Mumphery in the third quarter. Despite not having senior wide receiver Bennie Fowler and sophomore wide receiver Aaron Burbridge at his disposal, Cook battled his own footwork and was generally unproductive passing the football all afternoon.

Junior running back Jeremy Langford was a bright spot for the Spartans with a career-high 131 yards rushing on 24 carries, as was junior wide receiver Tony Lippett, who made five receptions and threw MSU’s lone offensive touchdown to junior tight end Andrew Gleichert.

Cook echoed head coach Mark Dantonio’s assessment of the game, noting he doesn’t believe the offense took a step back against the Boilermakers.

“We showed what we’re capable of,” Cook said. “We played great against Iowa, we played great against Indiana, you know, we moved the ball well against Notre Dame. There’s no concerns for us as an offense. We just gotta continue to get better, continue to work.”

At this point, the Spartans need to take a lesson from what happened against Purdue.

Although it wasn’t a loss in a situation that easily could have been one a season ago, the Spartans proved they still have a long way to go before they’re in the national discussion — not that they seem to care whether or not that’s the case.

A win is a win. Or so they say.

So, think back a few hours about the MSU football team. If they continually put themselves in the same situation they were against the Boilermakers, the rest of the schedule could be trouble.

Dillon Davis is a State News football reporter. Reach him at ddavis@statenews.com.