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EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio sees plenty of reasons to get ready for Western Michigan this week. His team has either three or four games left this season. And playing just three is unacceptable.

After being 2 seconds from a share of first place in the conference 10 days ago, the Spartans have slipped to 4-5 overall. Back-to-back losses to Iowa and Minnesota mean Michigan State must win two of its final three games simply to become bowl eligible.

‘‘We have to focus on where we’re at,’’ Dantonio said Tuesday. ‘‘We’re not going to win the Big Ten. That’s a reality now. But a lot of teams are fighting adversity. We can be 7-5 . . . 8-5 if we win our bowl game.’’

The Spartans can play in a third straight bowl for the first time since 1995-97. A 10-month goal of winning the last game they play could mean something different if they don’t have five wins when Penn State visits on Nov. 21.

‘‘To win out in November is a realistic goal,’’ Dantonio said.

The reality is that Michigan State needs immediate improvement in several areas, especially rushing offense and pass defense. With its top two tailbacks injured, one done for the season and one questionable after a concussion last week, the ground game is a major concern.

So is a pass defense that gave up 416 yards and five scores in a 42-34 loss to the Golden Gophers.

Michigan State is on the verge of its second three-game skid this season. The first started on Sept. 12 against Central Michigan, the top team in the Mid-American Conference. That memory should help the Spartans prepare for Western Michigan (4-5), another MAC team with a strong passing attack.

‘‘Regaining respect is a weekly challenge for every football team in America,’’ Dantonio said, citing recent losses by Ohio State and USC. ‘‘You either win or you lose. As a player and a person, that gets you irritable. And we want our players irritable.’’

Quarterback Kirk Cousins said the ride home from Minneapolis last Saturday was extremely difficult, much like his team’s last two results.

‘‘Any time you lose is terrible, and any time you win is phenomenal,’’ Cousins said. ‘‘It’s always one or the other. But you take what can from it and move on. It doesn’t do any good to let that fester.’’

If so, another upset could hurt the team’s chances of making it to any bowl.

‘‘I don’t want to be sitting at home during Christmas break,’’ Cousins said. ‘‘That’s unacceptable. I’ll fight as hard as I can not to let that happen. And my teammates will do the same.”

 

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