Big Ten Championship Game 2011: Michigan State Clinches Spot In Indianapolis

Michigan State has clinched the Legends Division title and a spot in the first ever Big Ten Championship Game.

Indiana Vs. Michigan State Final Score: Spartans Dominate Hoosiers 55-3

The Michigan State Spartans took care of business on Saturday by dominating the visiting Indiana Hoosiers in a convincing 55-3 win.

After Edwin Baker scored on the first play of the fourth quarter to put Michigan State up 55-3, the Spartans eased off the gas allowing backup players a chance to see the field and finish out the game.

All of that was made possible thanks for a strong offensive attack that helped Michigan State amass 469 total yards with quarterback Kirk Cousins controlling the operation. Cousins had an efficient game throwing the ball, completing 16-23 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns.

Cousins connected with B.J. Cunningham twice (63 yards, 7 yards) and Keshawn Martin (47 yards) once on his touchdown strikes. Cunningham finished with 132 yards receiving while Martin added 100 yards of his own. Edwin Baker scored two rushing touchdowns while Le'Veon Bell put up 68 yards rushing on nine carries.

Indiana quarterback Tre Roberson had a touch day, completing 10 of 23 passes for only 93 yards and two interceptions before giving way to Edward Wright-Baker who finished the game at QB. Dre Muhammad caught nine balls for 73 yards to lead the Hoosiers.

The win moved the Michigan State to 9-2 on the season and 6-1 in the Big Ten's Legends Division where the Spartans maintain a one-game lead and the tie-breaker over the Michigan Wolverines.

Indiana Vs. Michigan State Score Update: Spartans Pounding Hoosiers 48-3 After Third Quarter

The Michigan State Spartans continued to bury the Indiana Hoosiers after the break, scoring two touchdowns early in the third quarter en route to a 48-3 lead at the end of the quarter.

Kirk Cousins picked up where he left off against the Hoosiers to start the third quarter as the Spartans took the ball after the break and drove 68 yards for a touchdown. Cousins connected with B.J. Cunningham twice on the drive including a seven-yard reception for the touchdown to put Michigan State up 41-3.

Indiana appeared to have something going offensively after making their halftime adjustments, but those positive signs turn negative in a hurry for the Hoosiers. After using 11 plays to drive the ball down to the MSU 20-yard line an errant Tre Roberson pass was picked off by Michigan State cornerback Johnny Adams and returned 85 yards for a touchdown.

The pick six was Roberson's second interception on the day.

Indiana Vs. Michigan State Score Update: Spartans Lead Hoosiers 34-3 At Half

The Michigan State Spartans continued to control the action against the Indiana Hoosiers, taking a 34-3 lead to the half in East Lansing.

Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins had a strong half throwing the football. Cousins completed 13 of 19 passes for 242 yards along with two big touchdowns passes of 63 and 47 yards. Wide receivers B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin have done the damage on the other end of those passes for the Spartans.

Cunningham goes to the break with 100 yards receiving and a touchdown while Martin has caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Martin also has a rushing touchdown taking a hand off and flying around the right side for a 19-yard touchdown.

Edwin Baker has done most of the work on the ground for Michigan State with 33 yards on nine carries. Baker also found the end zone on a ten yard touchdown around the right side.

The Hoosiers had a chance to work themselves back into the game to start the second quarter but a nine-play drive stalled at MSU's five yard line, forcing IU to settle for a field goal. From there Michigan State tacked on 17 more points to end the half.

Michigan State Vs. Indiana Score Update: Spartans Lead Hoosiers 17-0 After First Quarter

The Michigan State Spartans jumped out to a strong Senior Day start against the visiting Indiana Hoosier, leading 17-0 at the end of the first quarter.

After forcing an Indiana punt on the first possession of the game, the Spartans couldn't finish off a nice drive that started at their on 31-yard line, stalling at the IU four yard line. Dan Conroy put Michigan State on the board with a 21-yard field goal.

The Spartans struck for a big play after starting their next possession deep in their own territory. After picking up a first down, Cousins struck again, hitting Cunningham over the middle for a 63-yard touchdown. 

Then on Michigan State's next possession, Cousins continued to spread the wealth through the air, connecting with Keshawn Martin for a 47-yard touchdown pass.

Indiana has struggled to move the ball with only two first downs in the first quarter. Michigan State has 227 total yards to Indiana's 57 yards so far.

College Football Schedule, Week 12: Schools In Scandal, Penn State Takes On Ohio State

In addition to No. 18 Michigan taking on No. 16 Nebraska, every other Big Ten team plays on Saturday. While the U-M/Nebraska game is definitely the conference's headliner, there are a couple other interesting match ups, including No. 21 Penn State vs. Ohio State. 

As it's very well known, both the PSU and OSU programs are in turmoil, the Nittany Lions in the middle of a child molestation scandal and the Buckeyes recovering from the players' tats-for-cash scandal. When these teams played last year, both had the most winningest active coaches in college football and now, Tressel and Paterno having been fired, both have two of the least winningest coaches in college football.

Ohio State is coming off of a heartbreaking 26-23 loss to Purdue after missing the game-winning extra point in regulation. Penn State lost 17-14 to Nebraska last week. Today's game is at 3:30 p.m. EST and it will be airing on ESPN/ABC in select regions.

Here's the rest of the Big Ten schedule for today: 

Minnesota @ Northwestern, 12 p.m. BTN
Indiana @ No. 12 Michigan State, 12 p.m. BTN*

*Michigan State can clinch a trip to the conference's first championship game with a win.

No. 18 Michigan @ No. 16 Nebraska, 12 p.m. ESPN

No. 17 Wisconsin @ Illinois, 12 p.m. ESPN 2/ESPN 3
Iowa @ Purdue, 12 p.m. BTN

Michigan State Vs. Indiana: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

Michigan State can wrap up the Legends Division in the Big Ten with just a little bit of help Saturday afternoon. They host Indiana, which is winless in Big Ten play. In fact, Indiana has not beaten an FBS team yet this season. The Hoosiers' lone victory is over FCS foe South Carolina State. This game is a protected rivalry across the Legends and Leaders Division, and the two teams play for the Old Brass Spittoon trophy.

Game date, time: 12 p.m. ET, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011

Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

TV channel: Big Ten Network

Spread: Michigan State favored by 28

Series history: Michigan State leads, 41-13-2

For further reading, news, discussion and more, visit Michigan State Spartans blog The Only Colors and Indiana Hoosiers blog Crimson Quarry. Here’s the complete Week 12 college football TV schedule, and stay tuned to SB Nation’s college football news hub for more.

Michigan State Can Clinch Legends Division On Saturday ... With Help From Michigan

Michigan State Vs. Indiana Lines And Odds

The Michigan State Spartans are well on their way to a spot in the Big Ten title game following their win over Iowa on the road and a general-consensus easy schedule remaining. MSU made it through games against Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State, and on Saturday will take on the Indiana Hoosiers in a game in which they're heavily favored. Given Indiana's 1-9 record and a lack of inspired performances, it shouldn't be a surprise.

SB Nation's odds partner, OddsShark, has the odds. Michigan State is heavily favored with an opening line of -4500, while Indiana sits at +2250. The Hoosiers are a whopping 28.5-point underdog on the opening point spreads. 

OddsShark goes on to list some numbers - like the Hoosier's 114th-ranked front 7 when it comes to stopping the run (allowing 263.4 yards per game) up against Michigan State's 66th-ranked rushing attack at home. It is worth noting that Indiana kept their last game - against Ohio State - within a couple touchdowns, leading Indiana to cover as 27.5-point underdogs at that point. They've got more preview materials here.

Michigan State Vs. Indiana: Spartans Try To Move Step Closer To Legends Division Crown

For more on Michigan State, check out The Only Colors, and for more on the Big Ten, check out Off Tackle Empire.