As the weather grows frigid, the games for Michigan State football begin to mean more during its quest for a bowl appearance.
It’s been years since that hunt has been fulfilled for Spartan fans. The last time MSU punched its ticket to a bowl game was in 2021, when No. 9 MSU took down No. 13 Pitt in The Peach Bowl, 31-21. Since then, December football has been non-existent for the green and white.
Now under a new regime with head coach Jonathan Smith, the Spartans (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten) seek to avoid a three-year postseason drought. Generally, teams become bowl eligible by winning six of 12 regular-season games. There have been caveats, like University of Minnesota's bowl appearance last season at 5-7.
MSU football continues its season Saturday after a bye last week, traveling to take on Illinois (6-3, 3-3). For the Spartans, the path to bowl mania is simple: win two out of the next three.
"We want to achieve (a bowl game)," Smith said at a press conference Monday. "We have a lot to play for these last three games. I know our guys understand it's not easy to win, but we have an opportunity in front of us to win more than we lose."
Out of MSU's final three games, against Illinois, Purdue and Rutgers, beating the Fighting Illini will likely be its tallest order.
Illinois started the year hot with a 6-1 record, sitting just outside the AP's top 20 after beating Michigan on Oct. 19. Since then, losses to Oregon and Minnesota have pushed Illinois outside of the top 25.
Illini head coach Bret Bielema and company will look to rebound at home against MSU.
Illinois runs a similar offense to Indiana, which beat MSU 47-10 on Nov. 2, featuring an RPO-heavy scheme. Illinois hasn't matched the Hoosiers' offensive production this season but can hurt teams methodically.
The Spartans had no answers for Indiana's offense, allowing 385 yards and no turnovers. If MSU wants to avoid the same fate it suffered against Indiana, it starts with slowing down the RPO. Smith and his staff now have the blueprint on film.
"You certainly see some similarities and the schematic concepts between them," rush ends coach Chad Wilt said after practice Wednesday. "So there's definitely some good carryover week to week on those guys and it helps having a little video evidence to make some improvements off of it."
The Illini are ranked 95th in the nation in total offense and 82nd in points per game. While these offensive rankings don’t seem daunting, Illinois takes care of the ball, ranked 34th nationally in ball security. It also sports a threatening passing game.
Illinois' offense is commanded by junior quarterback and Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer. The experienced gunslinger has gone 157-for-250 for 1,893 yards and 16 touchdowns to three interceptions.
"Their offense doesn't make a lot of mistakes," MSU junior linebacker Wayne Matthews said. "So we gotta put some pressure on Altmyer so he can make those mistakes and we can capitalize on those."
For Bielema and company, a hard-hitting and purse-the-football defense can pack a punch. The Illini are ranked 66th in total defense and 31st in points allowed per game.
Two difference-makers for the Illini defense are in the middle: linebackers Dylan Rosiek and Gabe Jacas. Rosiek leads the team in tackles (60) while Jacas boasts a team-high 6.5 sacks.
A keen eye on these two Illini defenders is crucial to success for MSU’s struggling offense.
Earlier this season against a statistically-good Penn State offense, Illinois held the Nittany Lions to 21 points. The following game, it allowed 49 points to a one-win Purdue team. It may be a question of what Illini defense shows up on Saturday.
"We’re hungry to get a dub, we need a win," wide receiver coach Courtney Hawkins said Tuesday. "We’re harping on execution as an offensive unit as a whole and challenging guys to be accountable and play physical. I feel like we have a solid game plan, now it’s about execution across the board."
Illinois is also coming off of a bye week, giving both teams ample time to prepare, adjust and refresh. With neither team having won since Oct. 19, Saturday should test the impact of off-week adjustments. After MSU’s first bye week, the Spartans won by two scores against Iowa, playing some of their most complementary football to date.
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"Coming off the last bye week against Iowa, they were coming off of a game and we were able to steal time against them," Wilt said. "Illinois is in a unique situation, but I still think it does give you the extra time to prepare and then getting the guys to go execute and practice."
Following Illinois' first bye week, the Illini looked sluggish, especially on the defensive side, struggling to push past Purdue in overtime.
"We’re trying to play our best game," Hawkins said. "Coming off that last bye week, we felt like we played complementary football in all three phases and that's what we’re aiming to do this Saturday. It’s gonna take that to beat Illinois."
The Spartans will head to Champaign, Illinois for their final road game of the season this Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. FS1 will air the game.
