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The Michigan State Spartans took down the Baylor Bears in a thrilling comeback (down 41-21) to clip the fifth-ranked Bears in the Cotton Bowl.
The Spartans managed to come back with stellar play from QB Connor Cook and a game-changing blocked kick in the final two minutes that kept it a one score game. Baylor had lobbied hard for inclusion in the College Football Playoff but were passed over for Big Ten champion Ohio State. Michigan State’s victory in Dallas confirmed the committee’s faith in the Buckeyes as a fellow Big Ten team toppled the favored Bears.
The Big Ten sits at 4-4 with the feature game remaining, which is Ohio State’s test against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The Spartans proved that the most maligned of the Power Five conferences can compete at the highest level. Head Coach Mark Dantonio suffered two tough losses to Oregon and Ohio State, but his team stayed hungry and won its second consecutive major bowl game, carrying the flag of the conference.
The Big Ten split its first two matchups with the SEC as Wisconsin prevailed in the Outback Bowl, while Minnesota lost in the Citrus Bowl. As an underdog in every game of its bowl season, the conference has performed well and exceeded the national public’s expectations thus far.
If Ohio State can at least remain competitive against Alabama, the Big Ten deserves more respect. The hire of Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and the encouraging bowl results may spark a new swing of momentum for college football in the Midwest. With Urban Meyer, James Franklin, Mark Dantonio and now Jim Harbaugh, the coaching talent is on the rise and may trickle to the rest of the conference in 2015 and beyond.
