Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from an uninspiring Michigan State loss

In an unwanted fist fight Michigan football comes up empty against a game Spartan squad who was more hungrier from the outset.

Something felt fishy from the get go and it didn’t change all game long. Michigan State put last week’s effort behind them and waltzed into the Big House with no fear. The Spartans played stable as the contest lingered and it paid off for them when the final whistle blew. Michigan football could never find a rhythm and it cost them dearly.

The Wolverines looked like a completely different team from where they stood last Saturday night. They couldn’t run the ball to save their lives. Their offensive line performed lackadaisically after rushing for over 250 on the road in Minneapolis. The confidence that they gained with a powerful road win got evaporated in the blink of an eye.

There was no pass rush from the defensive line who recorded three sacks in a row late in the Minnesota affair. Credit has to be given to the Spartan offense who didn’t allow Don Brown’s group to take over at any point. Rocky Lombardi wasn’t efficient percentage wise, but his receivers made the clutch catches when they had to have them.

Cam McGrone got dinged up midway through and never returned to action. Not having him out there didn’t make much of a difference, but depending on how Michigan’s defense wants to rebound moving forward, they’ll need him to return with little experience behind him.

It was a difficult loss all around and here are three takeaways.