Though I stopped short of suggesting that Michigan State had eliminated itself from playoff contention after losing to Nebraska last month, I did devote the FEI analysis column four weeks ago to the significance of the fourth-quarter comeback the Spartans allowed that night. More than any team this season, MSU has been involved in high-stakes drama with major playoff implications. Aside from that stumble in Lincoln, the Spartans made the plays necessary to finish on the winning end of all of those dramatic situations.
The Big Ten Championship game last Saturday night set the stage for their latest high-wire act.