Welcome to MSU football, where you can do the trick but you won't always land it.

Dotted with sluggish play Friday night, MSU football lacked the reassurance of a fire-breathing start so many had predicted.

Granted, the quick dismembering of an FCS opponent probably would have done little in terms of gathering a consensus on just how good the team really is — all it would have provided would be a quelling of the palpations of an already strung tight fan base.

Far from making sweeping proclamations about a yet unproven football team — who stumbled against a lowly FCS school — MSU has proven itself average on flair, thus far.

With Notre Dame around the corner, MSU opted for conservative play calling, a smart tactic to conceal an offense waiting to burst.

But even with its menial offensive calls, it lacked the certain zest that makes one worry whether the offense can find rhythm.

The game had fleeting glimpses of the 2012 season where the only consistent play, marred in a sea of yellow flags, was the phenomenally skilled running back.

Just as Le'Veon Bell flared through holes and kept on chugging whenever his number was called upon, LJ Scott appeared to have enormous talent capable of carrying a team to victory.

Flags galore — with seven of the ten coming from seniors — is an easy fix, but a worrisome problem that was also a feature in the rough and tumble 2012 season.

Taking a look at the schedule, Notre Dame and Wisconsin back-to-back might put MSU in a 1-2 hole if it continues to trip itself up with boneheaded miscues not prevalent in other perennial winners.

The Fighting Irish, after taking a staggering loss in Austin, are a wounded animal — wounded animals fight to the death. Notre Dame will sack Nevada and set up a game with MSU with everything on the line for the Fighting Irish.

A hellfire victory might as well have prepped the Spartans with no adversity and little answers.

But the close win might prove a wake up call that "back2back" will only happen if MSU decides to wake up.

Tyler O’Connor provided a steady hand for the offense, going 13-for-18 for 190 yards and three touchdown passes. Though slightly under throwing balls throughout the game, he has deep threats. And speed on the edge is a detriment for a Notre Dame secondary with gaping holes.

The big boys roll when needed, and if MSU can't deliver a victory over Notre Dame in two weeks it ought to pack it's “back2back” in a box and stow it away for a long time.

For a school wanting to roll with the big boys, wanting to hold its name to Alabama, it ought to beat Furman in a hardier fashion.

Say what you want, but a close victory with goals that high signifies a young and talented team that might just under perform and a fall another year short of overachieving.