Long-term effects of Spartans’ slide considered

(Photo: Dale G. Young / Detroit News)East Lansing — Nearly every college football team not named Alabama has experienced its share of struggles over the last decade or so.

Competing for a championship every season isn’t exactly realistic, though each team begins every season with that aspiration. Reality says there will be some down years, and for most of the nation’s top programs, that means a couple more losses than usual with at least a trip somewhere warm at the end of the year for a bowl game.

What’s happening at Michigan State this season, however, is something less common. A season ago, the Spartans were Big Ten champions for the second time in three years and playing in the College…