About an hour after Michigan State got some good news in regards to the Big Ten title race from Lincoln, Neb., the Spartans saw another positive development as Wisconsin went to Illinois and pulled off an incredible upset of the Illini.
The Spartans benefitted from both.
The Boilermakers were able to go on the road as 1.5-point underdogs to beat a really good Nebraska team that doesn't face a single ranked team for the remainder of the season. That easy remaining schedulde made Purdue's win over the Cornhuskers that much more important because Michigan State doesn't see them again and they're now tied with the Spartans for third.
Purdue is also tied for third in the Big Ten.
Not long after that, Michigan State's title hopes got yet another shot in the arm as Illinois dropped what should have been a sure-win at home against 10.5-point underdog Wisconsin. This looked like a bit of a hangover game for the Illini, coughing up a lead late to head to overtime and eventually lose a heartbreaker in Champaign. This is now the second time Wisconsin has helped Tom Izzo and the Spartans out -- the Badgers won at Michigan a few weeks ago.
The Big Ten standings are now looking really interesting.
Michigan State's very close to controlling its own destiny
When Greg Gard beat Michigan a few weeks ago, everyone kind of knew it was going to be a crazy Big Ten title race, and it's kind of mellowed out until the past 1.5 weeks.
The Spartans lost to the Wolverines and Minnesota in back-to-back games after Purdue dropped three in a row. Michigan was alone at the top of the standings but Nebraska and Illinois were breathing down the Wolverines' necks.
Now, Illinois has three Big Ten losses along with Nebraska, putting both in a second-place tie with Michigan State and Purdue. There are now four teams tied for second behind Michigan.
And the Wolverines still have to go to Purdue, Illinois, and Iowa before hosting Michigan State to close out the year. They're going to be facing quite the test if they want to win the Big Ten.
Michigan State's hopes were slipping away after two straight losses, but they're now restored after Nebraska and Illinois lost via "upset" on Tuesday night.
In my best Lloyd Christmas voice, "So you're telling me there's a chance."