Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans can still win Big Ten title

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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 26: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball past John Reid #29 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter on November 26, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State controls its own destiny

This is the most important factor. Michigan State still controls its own destiny, which is more than a team like Penn State can say. In fact, if the Spartans were to win out, they would guarantee themselves a spot in the conference title game against a team like Wisconsin.

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Conversely, if Penn State were to win out, the Nittany Lions would have to hope for an Ohio State collapse in the final month, starting with a Michigan State victory over the Buckeyes.

However, the Spartans seem to play better with a ton on the line. Mark Dantonio gets his players up for the biggest games and just because Penn State is a top-10 team with playoff aspirations still doesn’t mean that the head coach will allow Michigan State to roll over and play dead.

Sure, Penn State might be the most talented team Michigan State has played to date, but the Spartans get the Nittany Lions at home, which could change things.

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A win over Penn State would set up a huge potential East-clinching Week 11 game against Ohio State in Columbus. A win there would almost lock up the East, but the Spartans would need wins over Maryland and Rutgers to end the season. Anything is possible, especially since MSU always plays Ohio State tough.

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