It was a much-needed win but the lackluster second half is the lingering takeaway. Michigan State has a bowl game to play for while the Boilermakers are running out the clock in the Big Ten basement. The Spartans had a chance to put Purdue out of its misery but instead provided a second life.

The defending national champion Wolverines need a win to be bowl eligible under first-year coach Sherrone Moore because they will be heavy underdogs next week on the road against rival and second-ranked Ohio State.