Nasty weather marked the contest between Michigan State football and Maryland on Saturday. What did we learn in the rain and snow of East Lansing?
On a cold and windy day that alternated between rain and snow throughout the Midwest, the game between Maryland and Michigan State quickly became one-dimensional. As a result, both teams largely stuck to their ground games. Between the two teams, they completed just 15 combined passes all day.
In the end, the Spartans prevailed 17-7 at home for their eighth win of the season. It has been a strong turnaround for the Spartans, who went 3-9 last season. One of the youngest teams in the country, though, has engineered a strong turnaround season. If they beat Rutgers next week and their postseason opponent, Mark Dantonio’s team will post its fourth 10-win season in the past five years.
Meanwhile, the loss guaranteed that the Terrapins will be sitting at home this postseason, watching other teams play on television rather than participating themselves. For the second time in three years, Maryland will miss out on a bowl game after suffering their seventh defeat.
These two teams are trending in opposite directions. What can we take away from the divisional showdown in East Lansing that transpired on Saturday? Keep reading for three takeaways from the Spartans win over the Terrapins in Week 12 action.