Following a 3-0 start to the season, the goals changed each week based on reality.

First loss, also the first Big Ten loss. First defeat at home against a visiting interim head coach, one more to follow from month later.

First time losing four straight against rival Michigan in nearly two decades.

That’s a snapshot of Michigan State’s season that began with hope before becoming a mess headed for an unknown finish.

The Spartans (3-7, 0-7 Big Ten) have lost seven straight games with rampant speculation about second-year coach Jonathan Smith’s job security. They closed senior day last week with a sixth double-digit defeat of the fall, eliminating them from possibly finishing with a winning record to become bowl eligible.

“We talked about that and I think it’s really playing for the guy n

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