Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will shock the Big Ten in 2019

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first half touchdwon while playing the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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2. Michigan State thrives as underdog

Dating back to the 2007 season (you could even make this argument for MSU basketball), Michigan State has thrived as an underdog.

Games that the Spartans shouldn’t have truly been in, they’ve won. They were never supposed to beat Michigan in football four times in a row, but they did just that from 2008-11. They weren’t supposed to go from Big Ten laughing stock to bowl-bound team from 2006 to 2007, but they did. They weren’t supposed to win the Big Ten within the first four years of Dantonio’s tenure. They did.

Heck, no one expected them to beat Ohio State and end its perfect season in 2013 or even win the Rose Bowl that year, but the Spartans accomplished that.

In every season that there have been minimal expectations (2013 being the key one here), the Spartans have thrived. They love having that chip on their shoulder and this upcoming season has gotten that hunger back.

The leaders (Joe Bachie, Kenny Willekes, Brian Lewerke) love that no one is projecting them to win the conference and that’s exactly when they do. I’m not saying Michigan State is going to win the Big Ten, but I won’t be shocked at all if it does happen.

The underdog role and Michigan State football are a match made in heaven.

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