Denicos Allen (28) is a standout on the Michigan State defense. (Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
Michigan State has only one loss — to Notre Dame in a road game it easily could have won — and yet the Spartans weren’t getting much respect in the national polls.
There were legitimate questions about their offense. The perception of the Big Ten as a weak conference this season didn’t help the Spartans’ image. And many thought the nation’s top-ranked defense would meet its match against Michigan.
As it turned out, the Wolverines were no match for their in-state rival on either side of the ball Saturday in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State rolled to a 29-6 victory — the fifth win in the last six games of the series — behind a capable offense and a devastating defense.
It’s hard not to notice the Spartans now. They not only moved up five spots to No. 17 in the BCS Standings, they remained atop the Big Ten Legends Divisions standings and are in prime position for a berth in the Big Ten championship game in December in Indianapolis almost certainly against Ohio State.
As expected, the Buckeyes extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 21 games with a 56-0 blowout at Purdue. They’re still No. 4 in the BCS Standings and on track for the Big Ten championship and possibly a spot in the BCS championship game.
The unexpected took place in Lincoln, Neb., and Bloomington, Ind.
Nebraska completed a miraculous Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game to defeat Northwestern 27-24. Quarterback Ron Kellogg III heaved a desperation throw with no time left that was tipped into the end zone and caught by Jordan Westerkamp for the improbable win.
Meanwhile, Minnesota held on for a 42-39 win at Indiana when the Gophers pounced on a fumbled lateral in the final minutes with the Hoosiers in position to score the potential tying or winning points.
There’s some magic going in with Minnesota. A third straight win vaulted the Gophers (6-2) into contention for the Top 25. They continue to find success without inspirational coach Jerry Kill, who is on leave for medical reasons, on the sideline but still around the program.
Wisconsin continued building its case, along with Michigan State, as the second-best team in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. The Badgers pulled away from Iowa in the fourth quarter for a 28-9 road win that improved to No. 24 in Sunday’s
