Michigan State has not missed out on a bowl game in any of the nine previous years under coach Mark Dantonio, who has led the program to a 4-5 record in the postseason since taking over prior to the 2007 season.

But the Spartans are in serious jeopardy of making Year 10 one to forget.

After yesterday’s surprisingly high-scoring 54-40 loss at home vs. Northwestern, Michigan State enters Week 8 with a 2-4 (0-3) record and four straight L’s. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) now gives Sparty less than a 10 percent chance of becoming bowl eligible, which would mean their first losing season in seven years.

Michigan State’s fall from grace has been tough to watch. Since beating Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game last season, MSU has lost five of seven games by an average of 19.2 points including the 38-0 rout at the hands of Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals and a 24-point blowout against Wisconsin a few weeks ago.

The Spartans’ two wins in 2016 have come against FCS Furman and Notre Dame — two teams that have a combined 3-11 record.

There is still time to right the ship, but MSU needs to win four of its next six games against this lineup: at Maryland, vs. Michigan, at Illinois, vs. Rutgers, vs. Ohio State, at Penn State.