Thank goodness for that Iowa game. Otherwise, this Michigan State football season would feel like a never-ending slide into the abyss. As it is, things aren’t great, Saturday’s 38-16 defeat at Illinois a slow but inevitable demise, the Spartans ...

The loss to Indiana dropped the Spartans' record to 4-5. In Year 1 of Jonathan Smith’s tenure, many had the goal of making a bowl game. In order for Michigan State to gain bowl eligibility, it needs to win two of its remaining three games.

The Illini finished 6-1 at home. It's the first time they've won six home games in a season since 2001 when they captured the Big Ten title and played in the 2002 Sugar Bowl.