Can Michigan State Really Replace Ohio State as Big Ten's Power Program?

Rankings mean nothing—at least, not for the next four weeks or so. They certainly don't mean anything ahead of Ohio State's trip to East Lansing to take on Michigan State this Saturday in what is both the Big Ten game of the year and possible playoff elimination game. 

Though Michigan State ranks ahead of Ohio State in every major poll, the Buckeyes don't identify themselves as underdogs. The Vegas line suggests it's almost a toss-up game, with the Spartans being a mere three-point favorite, according to Odds Shark. That's a line that would change in Ohio State's favor if the game was being played in Columbus. 

In any case, Ohio State offensive lineman Taylor Decker doesn't consider the Buckeyes an underdog, either by point spreads or mentality.  

It's also an interesting stance considering Ohio State actually hasn't won a Big Ten title since 2009, though the 2012 undefeated Buckeyes would have been a favorite had they not been serving a postseason ban for "Tattoo-gate." 

2013 was supposed to be Ohio State's year, but instead the Buckeyes lost to the Spartans in the Big Ten title game. Michigan State went on to win the Rose Bowl over Stanford as part of the program's rise to dominance, while Ohio State lost to Clemson in the Orange Bowl and, later, quarterback Braxton Miller to a season-ending shoulder injury. 

AJ Mast/Associated Press

All that is in the past, though. The winner of Saturday's game will have the upper hand in the Big Ten East Division and a possible inside track to the playoff conversation at year's end. 

And if Michigan State wins, it's time to talk about the Spartans as the Big Ten's power program. In many ways, Michigan State has been doing the same things as Ohio State, but without being the national brand for the past several years. 

As of this week, head coach Mark Dantonio hasn't lost a Big Ten regular-season game since Nov. 17, 2012 (23-20 to Northwestern). That's a streak of 13 straight games. (Ohio State has won its last 20 regular-season games against Big Ten opponents.)

The Spartans are tied with Ohio State with the most wins over the past four years. In that span, Michigan State is 2-1 against the Buckeyes. 

In addition to great winning percentages, both programs have top-tier head coaches—Dantonio and Urban Meyer—and an in-demand coordinator—Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi and Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman. 

The only real difference between the two has been on the recruiting trail, with the Buckeyes obviously having the edge. Ohio State has landed the top class in the Big Ten and finished in the top 10 nationally, according to 247Sports, in six of the past seven years. 

Team	2013	2012	2011	2010	Total
Michigan State	13-1	7-6	11-3	11-2	42-12
Ohio State	12-2	12-0*	6-7	12-1	42-10
Wisconsin	9-4	8-6	11-13	11-2	39-15
Nebraska	9-4	10-4	9-4	10-4 (Big 12)	38-16

(*Did not participate in postseason play)

Michigan State, meanwhile, has only finished in the Top 25 nationally using those same recruiting rankings twice in the same span. 

But that speaks to how good of a job Dantonio and his staff have done at developing talent. It's also beginning to translate into players like defensive end Malik McDowell committing to the Spartans. McDowell, the first 5-star player to sign with Michigan State since William Gholston in 2010, has played in all eight games this season. He certainly looks like the future of Michigan State's D-line.

Though known for defense, Michigan State has improved dramatically on offense. The Spartans actually enter Saturday's game with a nearly identical scoring offense as Ohio State (45.5 points per game compared to 45.6 points per game). However, the Buckeyes have a slightly more efficient offense, as noted by Footballoutsiders.com. 

Similarly, the Buckeyes have a slightly better scoring defense than Michigan State (19.9 points per game allowed vs. 20.3 points per game allowed), though the Spartans are considered the more efficient defense as noted by the same Football Outsiders numbers.

On paper, Michigan State and Ohio State are as even as they get. 

With both programs in the Big Ten East, Michigan State and Ohio State will play each other on a yearly basis. Though Michigan is the common rival and the traditional measuring stick for both, Michigan State-Ohio State could be budding into the Big Ten's newest and best rivalry, if you will. 

Even if neither coach will acknowledge it.

Michigan has fallen on hard times while the Spartans and Buckeyes have thrived. Michigan State has already quashed the "Little Brother" label given to it by former Wolverines running back Mike Hart in 2007, Dantonio's first year. Since losing to Michigan that season 28-24, Michigan State has won six of the last seven in that series. 

Ohio State, one of the Big Ten's premier and historic programs, would seem to be the last big hurdle between Michigan State and a potential College Football Playoff appearance, barring an upset between now and early December. 

It would also be the moment Michigan State affirms its place atop the Big Ten. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com unless noted otherwise. All recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.