There was a time when the Spartans regularly placed in the AP Top 25 poll and contended in the Big Ten. Now, fans are merely begging for postseason football.

That’s what makes this Homecoming so significant.

For one weekend, MSU can right its wrongs and restore hope by atoning for its 28-point loss to Wisconsin last week. Five weeks into the season, this game carries more weight than it should; if the Spartans don’t show some fight, fan support will collapse.

Even if it's not his fault, head coach Pat Fitzgerald understands the importance of winning this game and how much momentum rides on the outcome. Another thing he understands is the value of fan support.

In his opening statement at almost every press conference, Fitzgerald thanks "Spartan Nation," specifically the students, for showing up and supporting MSU. He thanked them again on Monday, but also acknowledged the frustration and disappointment fans have been feeling.

“If I was a fan, I'd not be happy with us,” Fitzgerald said. “But that line starts behind me, not being happy. So I'll see you Saturday. Cheer loud when we're on defense, and let's rock and get it going.”

Fitzgerald also made it clear he isn’t asking the fans to ignore what they’ve seen so far. He understands the product on Saturdays has been a mess and takes a lot of blame for the lack of success so far. 

“We just got to play cleaner so we can give them something to be excited about,” Fitzgerald said. “Stick around and sing the fight song together.”

For all the excitement around Fitzgerald’s arrival in East Lansing, the results have looked awfully similar to years past.

The Spartans have continued beating up on Group of Six teams early in the season, just to look uncompetitive as soon as conference play begins. This new regime brought in 62 newcomers and an overhauled coaching staff, but questions remain about what has changed.

It’s unfair to say that things can’t change, especially given that Fitzgerald has deemed this season a rebuilding year. Until the Spartans show any sign of progress, fans will grow increasingly irritated.

Fitzgerald has said it himself: the Spartans need to play cleaner, and they need to compete deeper into games. That’s been the story of the entire season; MSU has been unable to put together four consistent quarters of disciplined execution.

Saturday provides that opportunity, but could have a result that further divides the fan base.

Last year, Homecoming proved to be the most telling week in MSU’s season. One-win UCLA stormed into Spartan Stadium and dismantled the Spartans 38-13. It was a humiliating defeat that ultimately served as the tipping point for former head coach Jonathan Smith’s tenure at MSU.

Homecoming isn’t solely about what happens at Spartan Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, but it’s the main event. For alumni, it’s a weekend circled on the calendar to return to East Lansing and spend time with old friends and family who share memories of better years.

“If I can only make it back one weekend in the fall, I’m going to come back and see my friends, my dorm mates, sorority, fraternity, whatever it may be, teammates, for the homecoming weekend,” Fitzgerald said. “And it’s always special.”

MSU doesn’t have to play perfectly and definitely can’t make up for the past five years, but it can give people something to be excited about. Fitzgerald knows what would make that easiest.

“You want to get it fixed? Win,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a really easy solution. It cures a lot of ails.”

A win wouldn’t suddenly change the outlook of the season or erase the back-to-back blowout losses in Big Ten conference play or the numerous injuries this team has endured. Instead, it would give fans something they desperately need: a reason to believe this rebuild is going somewhere.

Saturday’s Homecoming isn’t about saving the season or proving that Fitzgerald is the guy in East Lansing.

It’s just about showing the people who come back to support that they have a reason to keep doing so.