It’s been ten years since Michigan State’s lonely playoff appearance in 2015. A decade ago, the Spartans were one of the top programs in college football, ruling the Big Ten alongside Ohio State.

Fast forward ten years — Obama’s no longer in office, the Big Ten has ballooned to 18 teams, and Michigan State couldn’t buy a win over a ranked opponent if they tried.

A Glimmer of Hope

Michigan State entered Bloomington with a 3–3 record (0–3 Big Ten) to face the third-ranked Indiana Hoosiers. No one in the country believed the Spartans could pull off the upset, and most of the nation figured Indiana would easily cover the -27.5 spread.

Then Saturday arrived. Indiana’s home crowd roared, the energy was electric, and yet the Spartans came in with one thing on their mind — spoiler.

There was even a sliver of optimism as quarterback Aidan Chiles, who’d been questionable all week after a brutal hit against UCLA, was cleared to play. Having Chiles under center was about as much as Spartan fans could hope for.

Early Life, Rapid Death

Michigan State actually struck first with a field goal midway through the first quarter — and oh, how we all wish they’d stopped the count right then.

The Spartans’ defense couldn’t contain Indiana for long. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza hit E.J. Williams for a touchdown late in the first quarter to give the Hoosiers a 7–3 lead.

To their credit, the Spartans responded, driving downfield and scoring their first — and only — touchdown of the day to take a 10–7 lead midway through the second quarter. For a moment, the game looked brighter than it had in weeks.

That moment didn’t last.

Indiana answered with a pair of touchdown drives before halftime — a five-play, 82-yard march capped by Mendoza’s 24-yard strike to Elijah Sarratt, followed by an eight-play, 80-yard drive ending in a 24-yard Kaelon Black touchdown run.

In just six minutes, the Hoosiers turned a tight contest into a 21–10 halftime lead.

No Stopping the Bleed

Whatever slim hope Michigan State had coming out of the locker room evaporated almost instantly. Indiana opened the third quarter with a five-play, 64-yard drive, punctuated by a 48-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper. Mendoza wasn’t done — he connected with Sarratt again later in the quarter to make it 35–10.

Both teams traded meaningless field goals in the fourth, and that was that. Final score: Indiana 38, Michigan State 13.

For what it’s worth, the Spartans did manage to cover the spread — barely.

The Aftermath

Indiana looks destined for a College Football Playoff berth and maybe even a shot at the national title. Michigan State, on the other hand, looks like a lost puppy tossed into the street, trying to fend for itself. It’s becoming painful to watch this program on national television week after week.

There’s one shot at redemption left this season — and everyone reading this knows what it is: beat Michigan.

Would that save Jonathan Smith’s job? Probably not. But it might help Spartan fans sleep a little easier at night knowing their team isn’t completely hopeless.