It doesn’t take great teams to make a great game, but if either Michigan State or Ohio State is a great team, it’s going to have a hell of a time proving it this weekend, or in the foreseeable future. Beyond getting a decisive leg up in the conference race, the best either side can hope for on Saturday is to turn enough heads to become a viable candidate for the final four if (or when) the dominoes start to fall at the top of the other leagues. The Spartans and Buckeyes may be worthy contenders, and they may be good for an evening of high entertainment and drama. Regardless of the outcome, though, convincing the rest of the country that the winner deserves a shot at redemption in the playoff will remain a hard sell until we finally see the Big Ten’s best beat someone else’s.
