Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will beat Washington State

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards past Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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1. Playing with something to prove

There’s no doubt about it, Michigan State is going to be out there with something to prove. The Spartans are 9-3 on the year and ranked No. 16 in the latest polls. However, there aren’t many willing to just hand Michigan State respect because of a nine-win season, but rather the Spartans will have to earn in with a Holiday Bowl win.

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This isn’t one of those Power Five teams that will just mail it in because they aren’t playing on New Year’s Day. Rather, the Spartans are more motivated to get a win against a ranked Washington State team because they feel as if they were snubbed by the Outback Bowl for rival Michigan.

That type of motivation will be key in this one as this young team is also looking to gain momentum heading into the 2018 season. Michigan State has a bright future and it starts with the conclusion of the Holiday Bowl. All of these guys need to finish strong and head into the offseason with their heads up.

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Mark Dantonio will have this team ready and you better believe they won’t roll over and call it a season without sending the seniors (who helped “flip the script”) off on the right note.

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