We are now less than 24 hours before Michigan State takes to the field in Indianapolis to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in the first ever Big Ten Championship Game.
But before the Spartans try and make history and punch their ticket to the Rose Bowl against Oregon, here are some noteworthy items heading into the big game.
Darqueze Dennard will start at corner
According to Greg Johnson of the Grand Rapids Press, Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard is off the injury list and will start Saturday night against the Badgers.
Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio said that Dennard is a full go after spraining his ankle a few weeks ago against Iowa.
This is certainly good news for the Spartans as they face a dual threat quarterback in Russell Wilson Saturday night.
Popular topics at the final Big Ten Championship game presser
Johnson also highlighted some of the more popular topics from the final press conference with MSU head coach Mark Dantonio before Michigan State and Wisconsin take to the field.
On Wilson and his ability to scramble: “He’s going to get loose. He’s going to take a bad play and get out of the sack, so we’ve got to play the deep ball out of the quarterback scramble.”
On Ball leading the Big Ten in rushing: “Contain Montee Ball. Key to victory.”
On Gholston, who missed the last game with Wisconsin because of a suspension: “From just a pass-rush standpoint, he can track people down. He’s a dominant player, an impact player, and you need to be able to take over the game somewhat.”On being underdogs in five games during the regular season, and now a sixth while going 10-2 overall and 3-2 as underdogs: “We are unfazed by that. We’re changing perceptions as we go.”
On if he wanted the game to be played inside at Lucas Oil: “I just wanted the game. All I could do when I walked in is say, ‘Wow!’ because it’s pretty spectacular. But I just wanted to be in the game, I didn’t care where.”
Title game could boost recruiting for Michigan State
According to Denny Schwarze of the Lansing State Journal, his general feeling is that Michigan State’s presence in the Big Ten Championship game will help them in their recruiting going forward.
You have to believe to that this is the case as Dantonio has brought stability and unity to the program.
What this also shows though is the old Big Ten is gone forever. Michigan State is here to stay.
Kirk Cousins comments on various topics regarding to the Big Ten Championship Game
Michigan State senior QB Kirk Cousins will play in the biggest game of the collegiate career Saturday night. Joe Rexrode outlines some of the Counsins’ comments regarding the final Big Ten game of the season.
Here is an excerpt…
On being the heavy underdog Saturday:
“Well, I think that’s the way it’s always been here. We’ve always been a little bit underappreciated, a little bit disrespected. And I guess that’s nothing new to us. But if you look at the way Wisconsin has played, the margins of victory they’ve had, they’ve done a great job. They’ve had a great year, they belong in this championship game.
“I don’t think we need any extra motivation when the Rose Bowl is what’s being played for. We could play in a sandlot with nobody watching and I’d be giving it my all. So I don’t think we need to find any extra motivation. … But certainly when you feel disrespected, you come out swinging.”
Ref: Grand Rapids Press, Lansing State Journal
