EAST LANSING, Mich. — For most of the final month of the season, Michigan State has essentially been in playoff mode. Heading into the Big Ten Championship game, there’s no sense in changing things now.
The Spartans reached the Big Ten title game by beating Penn State on Saturday, but from the moment they lost at Nebraska on Nov. 7, there has been no margin for error.
It took a win at home against Maryland followed by one of the most impressive victories from any team in the nation this year – the upset of Ohio State on the road. Then came the blowout of Penn State on Senior Day to set up the meeting with unbeaten Iowa in Indianapolis on Saturday.
The third trip to the Big Ten title game in five years wouldn’t have been possible with another loss, so the Spartans will take the same approach this week they have all season.
“We’ll treat it like an away game,” coach Mark Dantonio said. “We’ll do what we do. I think there is a system in place, a process in place for us to be able to do what we do in terms of preparation. We’ll work as we speak here, and do the job to the best of our ability.”
No. 5 Michigan State will be preparing for an Iowa team that hasn’t lost all season and is playing with as much confidence as any team in the country.
However, this is the first trip to the conference championship game for the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes while the Spartans are becoming old hat at playing in Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State lost to Wisconsin in the inaugural game in 2011 before beating Ohio State in 2013 on its way to the Rose Bowl.
A big chunk of this year’s fifth-year seniors have been part of two trips to Indy, and that alone could be a plus for Michigan State.
“I do think that there is an advantage having gone through this before,” Dantonio said. “We’ve got guys who were redshirted in 2011 who were at the Wisconsin game, and they were playing in the game in 2013. We’ve got guys that this is their third time down there. I think that’s a plus for us, at least in knowing the environment, at least knowing what to expect a little bit.
“So I think that — that can’t hurt us. That can only help us.”
Plenty of this year’s seniors played key roles in the win in 2013. Connor Cook was in the midst of a breakout season as Michigan State’s starter while defensive end Shilique Calhoun was having a season that ended with him being named the Big Ten’s top defensive lineman.
“I think that victory over Ohio State in 2013 was one of the sweetest ones, just being able to win your conference is such a fulfilling feeling,” Cook said. “So having another opportunity to go back there and do the same thing, we’re really fired up about it, and we’re just super anxious to get back.”
While Michigan State and Iowa haven’t played since 2013 – that was a 26-14 win for Michigan State when Cook established himself is MSU’s starter – there is certainly a familiarity. That’s because the teams aren’t that different.
“They’re a real physical team defensively,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of Michigan State. “They’re very tough to run and throw against, and I think that’s kind of been a cornerstone of their program. They’re a physical football team offensively, they run the ball very, very well. They throw it well, especially now with Connor Cook at quarterback.
“So in theory, that’s what we’re trying to do, too. I think there are a lot of parallels, a lot of differences too, but a lot of parallels.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Aaron Burbridge leads the Big Ten in receiving and the senior was named the top receiver in the conference this season. He’ll have his hands full against Iowa cornerback Desmond King, a Thorpe Award finalist, but he could be the key to a big offensive day for the Spartans. Iowa ranked eighth in the Big Ten in pass defense and with quarterback Connor Cook healthy, it could be a big day for Burbridge if he can find some room against King.
–DE Shilique Calhoun has been having another outstanding year and was named first-team All-Big Ten for the third straight season. The fifth-year senior will have a chance to be a difference-maker against an Iowa passing attack that ranks 11th in the conference and has allowed 20 sacks this season. The Hawkeyes have been effective running the ball, but teams have been able to get pressure on the quarterback, which could bode well for Calhoun.
–QB Connor Cook will, once again, be the center of Michigan State’s offense. He appears completely healthy as his shoulder looked good in the win over Penn State and he’ll be counted on to make plenty of big plays against Iowa. The Hawkeyes defend the run as well as anyone, meaning Cook, the fifth-year senior, will need to be at his best to get the Spartans’ offense rolling.
SERIES HISTORY: Iowa leads 23-20-2. Michigan State won, 26-14, in 2013 in Iowa City, Iowa.