09.21.09 YOU KNOW WHO SUCKS? MICHIGAN STATE

When Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Mark Dantonio took the job at Michigan State in 2006, it seemed like a turning of the corner of sorts for the hard-luck program. Gone would be the days of losing to less-talented teams and those snatches of defeat from the jaws of victory that happened only two often. And then they lost to Central Michigan last week. And then they marched into South Bend, hoping to give Notre Dame a run for its money.

It was the second straight week the Spartans gave an opponent a second chance and paid for it.

Michigan State’s Larry Caper slipped through the Irish defense and was all alone in the back of the end zone. Caper got his hands on it, but it was high and he couldn’t pull it down.

[On the next play, Notre Dame linebacker Kyle] McCarthy’s interception at the 4-yard line with 57 seconds sealed Notre Dame’s 33-30 win. via.

Dantonio was unimpressed with his team’s ability to close the deal against a team that they either should have beaten or taken to OT. And he should be, because this is as John L. Smith-esque as it gets. And with the Spartans set up to begin conference play at Wisconsin next week, one has to wonder if they can get it into gear and actually close out a game. It’s the equivalent of being caught with clown porn twice in the span of a week. If you have to lose, just don’t make it so damn ugly.

ASYLUM POLL: Who’s worse in the clutch? Tony Romo or Michigan State?