INSIDE SLANT

Michigan State’s 2009 season still has a bowl game left, likely the Alamo in San Antonio or the Insight in Tempe, Ariz. It can already safely be said, though, that this season is a disappointment.

Big Ten media picked the Spartans to finish third, and players, coaches and fans talked openly of 10 wins and Rose Bowl contention, coming off last year’s nine-win, New Year’s Day bowl campaign.

“In terms of disappointment, last year’s seniors set the bar for us,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio said after Saturday’s 42-14 home blowout loss to Penn State. “We were a 9-3 football team. They set the bar. The bar was set. And we didn’t measure up to that bar.”

And defense was the biggest reason. It was supposed to be this team’s strength, particularly the veteran secondary. In reality it was the team’s glaring weakness—particularly that secondary.

The Spartans gave up more than 1,500 total yards in their final three league games. Michigan State finishes the regular season dead last in the Big Ten in pass defense and passing efficiency. That secondary has allowed a whopping 29 touchdown passes, picking off just five.

“We didn’t get it done,” Dantonio said. “When you look at why, it starts with the head coach, first of all, and then it runs down through the assistant coaches. So we’ve got to ask ourselves, did we do the right things schematically? … That’s No. 1, I would say. No. 2, ask yourself what you did during the game in terms of calls and making decisions. And No. 3 is execution. You have to execute.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Kirk Cousins had thrown one interception in six games, but the sophomore finally looked like one against Penn State. With his team down 21-7 and needing a play in the third quarter, Cousins threw an ill-advised bomb that was picked off. Penn State scored on the next play.

Then Cousins threw another interception on the next possession, miscommunicating on a route with WR Keshawn Martin.

“I can’t do that, it cost the football team,” Cousins said.

“I think in all fairness to Michigan State, they made a couple mistakes and boom, boom, we were like that,” Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. “And then they started to get a little out of character.”

• Michigan State finishes tied for sixth in the Big Ten with a 4-4 league record. The Spartans are in line for the Alamo Bowl or Insight Bowl, both against a Big 12 opponent. If the Big Ten gets two BCS bids as expected, Michigan State likely will end up in the Alamo.

If the Big Ten gets one bid, it’s still possible the Spartans could end up in Detroit for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. But that would mean the Insight Bowl choosing Minnesota for a second straight year. And MSU athletic director Mark Hollis said he has no interest in cutting a deal to stay closer to home and save on travel expenses.

• Junior LB Greg Jones had a career-high 15 tackles against Penn State, giving him 141 for the season, which is eighth-best in school history. Jones is a possibility for early entry into the NFL draft, but he has not made a decision. He said before the season that he would have to be a first-round lock to leave early.

• Any time Joe Paterno coaches anywhere, it could be for the last time. He was reflective about Spartan Stadium after Saturday’s victory.

“We’ve had a lot of tough games here,” he said. “I was out here in ’54 when Biggie Munn was the coach and Duffy Daugherty was an assistant coach, and we got beaten by about five touchdowns.

“I came out here in ’65, they ended up beating us about 44-7. And after the game Duffy put his arm around me and said, ‘Hey, you’re going to be OK. I lost five games my first year as head coach. You’ll be all right.’ And I said, ‘Thanks, Duff.’ You know, I’ve got good memories of good friends.”

Next Game:   Bowl game TBA—The Spartans are assured a bowl bid at 6-6, because the Big Ten has seven eligible teams for seven tie-in bowls. The Alamo in San Antonio and the Insight in Tempe, Ariz., are the two most likely destinations.

This Week  ‘S MISSION: Lick some wounds, get some rest, eat some turkey and come back refreshed for bowl practices. The Spartans took a physical and psychological beating in a 42-14 loss to Penn State on senior day.

November At A Glance:   The Spartans went 2-1 in November, making Mark Dantonio 6-3 in November in three years. The Spartans beat Western Michigan and Purdue before losing to Penn State.

Quote To Note:   “I really have no answers for you. I felt like we had intensity in that game, we were 7-7 at halftime. I’m just not sure what happened.”—Michigan State WR Blair White, on Penn State’s 28-0 third quarter

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   Michigan State’s secondary was shredded again, but senior S Danny Fortener did his best to stop the bleeding. Fortener had 10 tackles, saved a touchdown with a diving pass break up and saved at least one more with a tackle.

Still Needs Work:   As always, the secondary doesn’t deserve all the blame. Michigan State had four sacks against Penn State, but all came on blitzes, two from LB Greg Jones. The inability to get pressure with its front four is a fundamental weakness that the Spartans must address for next season.

Star Watch:   WR Keshawn Martin had a 71-yard touchdown pass from backup QB Keith Nichol late in the Penn State game, which meant nothing in terms of the game, but it continued Martin’s torrid pace. It was his fourth touchdown of 70 or more yards this season, and it gives him 1,213 all-purpose yards.

Critical Decision:   With bowl practices coming up, MSU’s coaching staff must determine how much to put into getting the regulars ready for competition, and how much time should be spent looking at young players for next season. Mark Dantonio said the latter will definitely be a priority.

Roster Report:  

• That struggling secondary could get a boost in the bowl game. Junior S Roderick Jenrette is expected back after breaking a foot in the Oct. 3 MIchigan game. Jenrette is arguably MSU’s most athletic safety.

• Senior LB Brandon Denson missed the Purdue game with a leg injury, but he was back in the starting lineup for Penn State.

• Senior RB A.J. Jimmerson got the start on senior day, but he did not get any carries.