Going into the final weekend of the regular season, we know that Michigan State will be hanging a banner after winning the Big Ten regular season title. That is already decided. The big question is if the Spartans will be the only team that gets to hang a banner after this season or if they will be joined by Michigan and Ohio State.
Currently, Michigan State is one game ahead of both Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten standings. Because Michigan State hosts Ohio State on Sunday, the Buckeyes have a chance to clinch a share of the Big Ten title with a victory. For Michigan to end its Big Ten title drought, it needs to win at Penn State on Sunday and get help from Ohio State in the form of a win over the Spartans.
For Michigan State to win the title outright, it needs a victory. Only two teams can share the title if Michigan is upset by Penn State, but Tom Izzo has made it clear that Michigan State doesn't want to share the title with anyone. Yes, the Spartans will be called regular season champions regardless of what happens on Sunday, but for them there is still work to be done in order to win the title outright.
Michigan can't win the title outright, but considering the Wolverines haven't won a Big Ten championship since 1986, sharing is more than okay at this point. It's out of their hands beyond beating Penn State to have a chance at sharing the title, but considering where this program was just four years ago, the fact that they're in the hunt in the final week says a lot about the progress John Beilein and company are making.
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