Will execution be enough for Michigan State Football?

The word “execute” - or a derivation thereof - was stated 16 times between Aiden Chiles, Jordan Hall, and Jonathan Smith in Saturday night’s brief post-game press conference.

And each time, the context around that word focused on lack, scarcity, absence. 

“Execution, and finishing games better” was the response from captain Jordan Hall when questioned about what leaders need to change heading into the last month of the season. This was immediately echoed by Chiles. “Exactly what he said. Just gotta finish games and execute.”

But before the Spartans even took their fifth straight loss - this one coming at home and from their in-state Michigan Wolverine Rivals - chants of “Fire Smith!” were ringing out around Spartan Stadium in just the first half. This begs the question: what is there actually to “execute?”