For the first time in its three trips to the Big Ten Championship, Michigan State is going into the title game as the favorite. Although, this has as much to do with their opponent as it does the Spartans. In 2011, MSU was an underdog on the same neutral site it will play in on Saturday, to a team it had already beaten earlier that season (Wisconsin) — albeit on a hail mary as time expired. Mark Dantonio said the first mission is now complete, with the second mission coming on Sat. Dec. 5, in Lucas Oil Stadium. In 2013, MSU was riding an eight-game winning streak entering the title game. The Spartans came into play at 11-1, but found themselves the underdogs, going up against a 12-0 Ohio State Buckeyes squad riding a 24-gamer of its own. Once again, the Spartans are 11-1, facing an undefeated team from the other division — in 2013 it was OSU representing the ‘Leaders’, this time it’s the 12-0 Iowa Hawkeyes representing the West. Being doubted after running through three consecutive months of football unscathed can certainly get under a teams skin. Or as many refer to it, can put a chip on the ol’ shoulder. MSU knows this better than anyone and has made a habit out of winning games its ‘not supposed to win.’ MSU won both of its games in which it was the underdog in 2015. …
Continue Reading: Michigan State Football: Spartans respect widely disrespected Hawkeyes
