Now is the winter of our discontent...

Discontent doesn't begin to describe my hatred of the BCS as the regular season of college football expires and the postseason preparation begins.  Wisconsin, Ohio State, and MSU are dead even at the top of the Big Ten standings: 10-1 overall, 6-1 in Big Ten play.  This Saturday is the last game for all 3.  Wisconsin has Northwestern at home, OSU has Michigan at home, and the Spartans head to Happy Valley to take on Penn State.  Here's a quick breakdown about all the tie-breaker nonsense, in case you missed it:

1. If all 3 win, Wisconsin gets the Rose Bowl, OSU goes to a different BCS game, MSU gets nothing special.
This is the most likely scenario.  No team has much success in Camp Randall, very low chance that a floundering Michigan team upsets a strong OSU team in the Shoe.  Wisconsin wins the Rose Bowl tiebreaker because they are highest in the BCS polls.  Great system, right?

2. If one of the three teams stumble, the tie-breakers shift slightly
If OSU loses, MSU wins the new tie-breaker.  If Wisconsin loses, OSU goes.  No reshuffling happens if MSU loses, as they are the lowest down the totem pole currently.

3. On the off chance that all 3 are defeated this weekend, you might as well start praying to whatever god(s)/people/forces of nature you believe in.
In that case, the BCS poll would again determine the Rose Bowl representative, but depending on what team loses worst in the voters eyes, the order of the 3 teams could change.  Too much crazy.


NOW THAT'S OUT OF THE WAY.  Here's what to watch for in the PSU - MSU Matchup.

RUNNING WILD
Both teams had high hopes for their running games early on.  PSU's Evan Royster had earned a lot of buzz before this season as one of the Big Ten's best returning RB's.  However, a restructured offensive line has prevented the talented back from being a force in the PSU offense.  Don't expect that to change much against an MSU front seven that has been well-prepared against the run.  On the other side, MSU's running game looked spectacular in the early season, but the wear and tear of the season has shown itself constantly in the MSU OLine - less holes have opened up and freshman phenom Le'Veon Bell has all but disappeared.  It'll be interesting to see if MSU can get their ground game going.

ALL BANGED UP
Kirk Cousins has been banged up for the back half of the season.  He's taken quite a few hits in the last month of so and it has shown.  The "throwing off the back foot" problem that has led to several bad passes and interceptions are a result of a lingering ankle injury as well as a diminished confidence in his pass protection.  His effort in the Purdue game was nothing short of heroic - he put up fantastic numbers in the second half of that game, despite hardly being able to walk on one leg.  He described his ankle pain as "excruciating" during the game and simply refused to stay out of the game.  It'll be very clear early in the game whether Cousins injuries have subsided a bit, or if he's going to have to turn in another heroic game to get the W.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH/TIME TO MOVE ON
Is Joe Pa ever going to leave? He's 84.  The guy WILL die either at practice or at a game.  He announced last week that he will return for the 2011 season, provided his bionic heart/kidneys/liver/legs are still working. Can't say I blame him, I hate the idea of retirement, too.  This game will mark the final installment of the "Land Grant Trophy" battle as the Big Ten moves to divisions next year - MSU and PSU are in separate groups.  PSU has been a nightmare for MSU, so personally, I'm happy to see it go.

There you have it.  Hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving and the time away from work.  Here's the broadcast info for the two games Spartans should watch (sorry, but you're going to have to root for Michigan if you want the Rose Bowl.)  Go Green!

UM at OSU: 12pm, ABC/espn3.com
MSU at PSU: 12pm, ESPN2/espn3.com