Harlon Barnett details how road game can help Michigan State

Michigan State hasn’t left the confines of Spartan Stadium amid a 2-2 start and tumult off the field. And while a first road trip — to play Iowa in Kinnick Stadium and at night, no less — is a daunting challenge.

A challenge interim head coach Harlon Barnett thinks could galvanize the team. If nothing else, traveling forces players and coaches to spend more time in close quarters, be it on buses, planes or in hotels.

“We can come together close and we’re flying up, all on bus rides then getting on the plane together — we’re closer, longer, if that makes sense. We’re together, around each other in a more intimate fashion on the road than you are a lot of times when you’re at home,” Barnett said on Monday.

Barnett also knows it’ll be one of the toughest environments his team will face in 2023. And while he’s not preaching to his team that this is a time to come together, he is preaching another message.

“So, exited about this trip, this road trip to a very hostile environment. I told them, though, it’s still 11-on-11. The fans are out there, but it’s still 11 — they’re not playing. So if you don’t get caught up in that, then you’re good. I always used to love to play on the road, personally. So it should be a lot of fun and we enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy Big Ten football for what it is. It’s a one-time deal — I know four, five years you’ll play — but it’s a one-time, lifetime experience of playing college football. Enjoy it. Enjoy it,” Barnett said.

And at the end of the day, a good result on the field for a team that is reeling, coming off back-to-back losses and paltry offensive performances, could be a catalyst for success for Michigan State.

“I think so. Not that we’re preaching that, but I think so,” Barnett said. “Because all we have is all we got, right here.”

Barnett had takeaways from opening conference play with a loss

Barnett has not been dealt an easy hand since taking over the program following the suspension of Mel Tucker. His Spartans teams had to face two of the then-more underrated programs in the country in Washington and Maryland.

Neither game was particularly close. The Huskies walloped Michigan State in East Lansing. The Terrapins won 31-9 in a game that wasn’t a blowout, necessarily, but also one where Maryland had control throughout.

But as Barnett explained in his Monday press conference, he feels the game versus the Terrapins helped him and his team learn things about themselves.

“We talked about the missed opportunities,” Barnett said. “We had some missed opportunities to make plays offense, defense and special teams. Then the last thing and then positively, we said things we can build on. Things that we did well and we can build on and that’s what we watched today.”

The Spartans had four turnovers in the game with Noah Kim throwing two interceptions and the team also losing two fumbles. The team also had six penalties for 70 yards.

One interesting thing of note was that they were 4 of 5 on fourth down.

“We’re close,” Barnett said. “We’re very, very close. I told them after the practice today, I really liked this team. They just keep moving forward. They were energized the day of practice. Guys not talking about other things outside of football. Just locked on what we have to do football wise.”