I know they say they're resilient-- and that's fine maybe they are.  But Michigan State's football team is in position to suffer a letdown after another disappointing loss this last Saturday to Iowa.  The Rose Bowl is gone and so likely is a New Year's Day bowl game.  I don't see MSU at 8-4 finishing ahead of Iowa, Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin.  The schedules for those four would appear that they'll finish ahead of MSU and that's assuming MSU does not lose another game.  I think three of the four are dangerous-- only Western at home is a game I'm prepared to lock in as a victory.

     The weather will be awful at Minnesota Saturday night, outdoors and wintery and the Gophers are excited to be home for their own prime time game, their first in their new stadium.  Minnesota is 4-4, like MSU and also anxious to qualify for a bowl game and needs this win.  The Gophers have lost their standout receiver, Eric Decker, for the remainder of the season and that doesn't helpl an already shaky Minnesota offense.  But the Gophers are different at home than they are on the road.

     If MSU plays to its capability, well then the Spartans can win.  But a letdown is more than just talk-- it is more often than not a reality for teams in a similar state.  If MSU loses this game then a bowl game might be a big question altogether.  There's a lot of drama left in the final four games, but contending for the Big Ten title is now done thanks to that final play against the Hawkeyes.

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