This is as much a problem created by CM and MSU. CM didn't produce academically, and MSU milked their athlete as long as they could. With all the extra help he reportedly received, as posted on this site, there was no excuse on his part. He admitted it was his own fault. MSU, on the other hand, is damned for poor recruiting and follow up. Blame Fields and Ash for the recruiting, but apparent lack of follow up? Choach and Costello need to take a bite on this one.
AZ, coming out of high school, I was also ill prepared/motivated for college. Had to bust my ass just to get a low 'C' before dropping out and going to work. Staying in the working world mean money, independence, the draft and Vietnam. I remember listening to the draft lottery drawing and getting a low number, then thinking about a HS friend who had recently come back in a box. When I went back, to keep my student deferrment, I changed majors four times is four quarters. Unprepared, definitely.
This is a collaborative effort in failure by CM and MSU.