The football rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State has grown past mere bragging rights for both teams now that the Big Ten is divided into two divisions. With both Michigan schools among the top programs in the Big Ten, their annual matchup has the added importance of impacting the race for the top spot in the Legends Division.

According to former Michigan quarterback and current ESPN analyst Brian Griese, the Spartans and Wolverines could decide which team represents the Legends Division in the Big Ten Championship when they meet on Saturday, Oct. 20.

"On the other side, you throw three teams (Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska) up in the air and any one of them can go to the championship game. As big a game as Michigan-Ohio State is at the end of the year, that Michigan-Michigan State game is going to go a long way in deciding who's going to represent that side of the conference. As we witnessed last year, Michigan State could have easily represented the conference in the Rose Bowl, so it'll be very competitive."

Griese was in Chicago to take part in the Big Ten's Media Day event.

For more on the Michigan State Spartans, go to The Only Colors. For more on the Wolverines, head over to Maize n Brew, and for more college football coverage check out SB Nation's NCAA football hub.