By Colton Wood

Special to Detroit Free Press

Colton Wood is an MSU writer for the Michigan-based sports website isportsweb.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Read isportsweb's column every Monday. Follow Colton​ on Twitter @colton_wood08.

Coming off a 12-2 season and a College Football Playoff berth in 2015, Michigan State ended this season 3-9 and without a bowl game.

It truly was a season to forget.

Despite losing seniors like Connor Cook, Shilique Calhoun, Jack Allen and Aaron Burbridge, this year’s team seemed to still have potential to be a national powerhouse.

That soon turned out to be far from the truth.

After a closely contested season-opening victory against Furman, fans began to question what MSU’s future will be.

Their worries were soon put to rest after a victory over No. 18 Notre Dame. Fans were relieved. They believed their team, despite losing several key personnel, was “for real.”

And then, it just went downhill from there.

After consecutive loses to Wisconsin and Indiana, the Spartans found themselves unranked for the first time since 2011.

Injuries spawned, a quarterback competition was soon developing and questions on play-calling from MSU coaches arised.

But the bleeding didn't stop there.

MSU slid into a seven-game losing streak and was off to their worst start in Big Ten play.

The streak was snapped with a 49-0 blowout win over Rutgers at home.

The Spartans were still in reach of being bowl eligible, but the chances were slim as they would have to win their last two games.

MSU kept it close against Ohio State, but a Tyler O’Connor interception late in the fourth quarter sealed a Buckeyes victory.

Any hope for a bowl game was shattered.

The Spartans, playing with essentially nothing to lose, hoped to play spoiler in their season finale against Penn State. After keeping it close through halftime, the score got out of reach quickly and MSU closed out their season with a 45-12 loss.

It's a season coach Mark Dantonio doesn't want to remember. It's the worst record MSU has had during his tenure and also the first time Dantonio hasn't led a MSU team to a bowl game.

This year’s senior class will leave MSU after one of the worst seasons in school history. Tyler O’Connor, RJ Shelton and Josiah Price closed out their collegiate career Saturday, it's time for the team to put this season in their rear-view mirror and focus on next season.

This was truly a season to forget.