Rutgers came into the game 14 point underdogs at home on Senior Day. The 16th ranked Spartans came to town for a tilt on National Television hoping to sneak into the Big Ten title game. They found out just before kickoff that Ohio State clinched a spot in the B1G championship, but Michigan State had plenty to play for, hoping for a BCS bowl shot.
Michigan State methodically moved down the field, running the ball mixing in passes when needed to lead 7-0 after their first drive. On Rutgers’s first possession, a holding penalty on the kick return had Rutgers offense starting at their own 10.