The Michigan State Spartans celebrate after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in East Lansing, Michigan.
Advertisement
With three teams ranked in the top six and five in the CFP’s top 15, the discussion has now turned to whether the Big Ten deserves two spots in the playoff – a subject neither coach was willing to touch.
“Very impressed with their quarterback”, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said.
With the season on the line, Cook and the offense made play after play against an Iowa defense that hadn’t given up a touchdown all night. But I don’t think it will be easy. The Spartans use a trio of running backs extensively – L.J. Last season, the Spartans went 2-1-1 against the Nittany Lions including a shootout victory. Williamson hasn’t played since October 3 because of a torn bicep. That could be one of the advantages they have over the Hawkeyes. They’ve combined to start 21 in 2015. Instead, identified by the team they were there to support. “We know it’s one game at a time”. Iowa will play Michigan State Saturday for the championship. The Spartans defeated OR early on this season, and they have gone into MI and Ohio State and gutted out tough wins.
Iowa don’t have much of a passing game.
MIchigan State’s Brian Allen tackling Iowa’s Josey Jewell after an interception Saturday. Against the Michigan Wolverines on October 17, Connor Cook threw the ball in the direction of Jourdan Lewis more often than not and he was considered the best cornerback in the country at the time. “I got to root for my neighbor Iowa”, said one Nebraska fan, who was joined by others wearing red hats with the notorious letter “N” centered above the bill. Outside of a few bowl game wins that dotted the previous 25 years, most notably a Rose Bowl win in 1987, there were few extended runs of success.
“I mean, obviously this is everything I’ve wanted, being able to get an opportunity here and to be a contributor as I have this season, and for the team to go 12-0 is unreal”.
“There (are) no secrets here”, Dantonio said.
It’s essentially a play-in game. Iowa is ranked number four in the nation thanks to an undefeated 12-0 record for the year.
Iowa started the drive at the Michigan State 20. Burbridge was chosen the Big Ten’s best receiver and will be catching passes from Connor Cook, who was chosen the league’s top quarterback.
Iowa’s C.J. Beathard spent two seasons as a backup. The junior doesn’t have all the gaudy numbers. Although he has sustained injuries, Beathard has not missed a game this season.
Michigan State earned its second conference title in three years, will chase its first national championship since splitting the title with Notre Dame in 1966. Canzeri rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns against the Cornhuskers and leads the team with 964 rushing yards. It’s hard to say anyone has been overly impressive in their wins along the way, but Michigan State probably have the slight edge when it comes to style and dominance of wins against common opponents, barely.
Both have a turnover margin of plus 14 for the season, with both teams forcing 25 turnovers and both turning the ball over 11 times.
Advertisement
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
