This column was up to date so as to add a video.

1. That was the harshest, hard-truth take a look at MSU’s soccer staff but

EAST LANSING – For a short time Saturday, you questioned if Michigan State and Indiana may truly be two even groups, their seasons made totally different largely by their vastly totally different schedules.

It seems, the Hoosiers have extra juice to them. Extra punch on their offensive line. Extra punch on defensive position, for that matter. Extra seasoning on the quarterback place. And so whereas the Spartans’ unrelenting schedule may need helped them to a 4-5 report and Indiana’s first six wins had been partly delivered on a pillow, the hole is actual — properly illustrated by Saturday’s 47-10 ultimate rating. Indiana is actual. And MSU nonetheless has actual work to do to get one thing out of this season.

Regardless of the Spartans do the remainder of the best way — after subsequent week’s bye — will come largely off the radar, at Illinois after which dwelling in opposition to Purdue and Rutgers. That is perhaps for one of the best.

MSU, which constructed a 10-0 lead within the first quarter Saturday, misplaced any semblance of momentum on three second-quarter drives that ended with two Aidan Chiles interceptions (one tipped) and a third-and-1 play on a sweep to Nathan Carter that by no means had an opportunity.

If there was one other play that put the sport firmly in Indiana’s management, it was when MSU linebacker Cal Haladay bit on a run pretend, vacating the center of the sphere, which Indiana receiver Ke’Shawn Williams gladly occupied, catching a cross from Kurtis Rourke earlier than gaining 38 yards. MSU defensive again Chuck Brantley suffered what gave the impression to be a decrease left leg damage on the finish of the play. Brantley was off to a blinding begin earlier than that. MSU fell aside after.

Three performs later it was 14-10 Indiana. Brantley didn’t return. Safely Malik Spencer additionally left the sphere with an damage earlier than halftime, by which era the sport felt determined, at 21-10 Indiana, on its option to getting worse.

MSU regarded feeble the remainder of the best way, earlier than and after Chiles left the sport with an damage within the third quarter — although we noticed what this MSU offense seems to be like with out a cell quarterback (Oof.).

The Spartans couldn’t run the ball once more, like in any respect — after two straight video games getting a constant push up entrance. They couldn’t get to the quarterback. Not as soon as. Once more. The Spartans had been outclassed. By Indiana. Regardless of the causes for that dynamic this season, it might probably’t final. There are benchmarks and measuring sticks and barometers for a program like MSU. The Hoosiers aren’t considered one of them.

That’s an offseason challenge. Proper now, MSU has to verify this season doesn’t spiral.

RELATED: Sofa: Indiana soccer’s Cignetti magic provides to Michigan State’s distress

2. MSU’s cross rush has fully disappeared

The Spartans have confronted some good offensive traces and veteran quarterbacks and schemes that get the ball out rapidly over the past 5 video games. So that they had been by no means going to maintain up their early season tempo, once they sacked quarterbacks 15 instances over 4 video games.

However … you shouldn’t go from the primary day of fall to the evening we flip the clocks again with out a single sack. MSU’s final sack got here at Boston Faculty on Sept. 21, again once we thought getting stress on the quarterback from totally different ranges defensively was an MSU staff power. Saturday, Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke had months to select aside the Spartans. And did so.

MSU’s defensive backs — post-Chuck Brantley damage — didn’t have a lot of day, although it was largely an inexperienced crew again there within the second half. Nevertheless it’s additionally laborious to actually know the way they performed. NFL DBs will inform you they’re not presupposed to be left in protection for greater than three seconds. Nobody can do that point and time once more.

Indiana’s offense is essentially an beneath and intermediate passing assault. The run recreation comes from that. You’ve received to get there fast. MSU once more didn’t make a quarterback uncomfortable. And, for the primary time since Oregon, confronted a high quality quarterback. You noticed the outcomes. Or, higher but for you, you could not make the sport and do not have Peacock and also you’re simply studying about them now.

Coordinator Joe Rossi and this protection have to return up a option to change this, even when there’s a worth to be paid in protection.

MORE: Sofa’s grades for MSU’s soccer staff after 47-10 loss to Indiana

3. When unsure, throw the ball to Nick Marsh

Getting the ball to Nick Marsh didn’t change the end result of this recreation, nevertheless it may need made a distinction final week.

On the primary drive of the sport, Aidan Chiles hung within the pocket, figuring out he was going to get hit, and delivered an ideal ball which required an excellent catch. Marsh went up over the defensive again and received it. Similar to that, MSU was 33 yards downfield, in enterprise on the best way to a subject aim.

It was nearly an admission by MSU’s coaches and coordinator Brian Lindgren that they erred by not going to Marsh sufficient or deep in any respect final week at Michigan.

Later, MSU’s freshman phenom caught an 18-yard landing from Chiles, who evaded the push and put the cross the place solely Marsh might get it — and it took Marsh dragging one foot inbounds by inches whereas reaching for the ball to make the play. An unreal catch.

Marsh completed with 5 catches for 78 yards on seven targets. Get that man the ball. Give him an opportunity to make a play. He’s exhibiting you time after time that he’s up for it.

PREFER TO READ ABOUT MSU HOOPS? Sofa: Predicting Michigan State’s basketball season – Kansas and Maui, the Large Ten and March Insanity

Contact Graham Sofa at gcouch@lsj.com. Observe him on X @Graham_Couch.