Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch breaks down Michigan State’s football game against Maryland on Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. Time: 7 p.m. TV: FS1. Betting line: MSU -4.

1. Can MSU put it all together, just once?

MSU’s defense has improved significantly in the second half of the season, especially in the first three quarters of games. That they wear down late is largely a product of a lack of help. MSU’s offense and special teams have gotten worse in ways as the season has gone along. The Spartans , however, showed some things offensively against a stingy Iowa defense to make you think they might have the goods to score enough to win one of these games at some point. Maryland presents the best — and last — opportunity to do that.

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