Michigan State Football: Can the Spartans Get into the BCS National Title Race?

It was arguably the game of the year to this point, and the Michigan State Spartans came out on top over the No. 6 ranked Wisconsin Badgers.

Heading into this game Sparty was ranked No. 16 in the BCS, but now has a second win over a ranked team and it once again a Cinderella story like they were in 2010.

So, with the dramatic win over the Badgers on Saturday evening, can Michigan State get into the national title race?

Yes and here's why.

For one, we know either LSU or Alabama is going to lose when The Game of the Century takes place on November 5.

Then, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State still have to play so one of them will obviously lose as well. In addition, undefeated Kansas State still has to play both the Cowboys and Sooners, so the odds are against them to remain perfect.

Now before we jump ahead to their schedule, let's discuss tomorrow's BCS rankings.

Currently the Spartans are No. 16, but should leap into the Top 10, No. 8 at the highest, and will immediately be in striking distance.

By season's end, provided that Sparty does finish 12-1, they will have a stronger strength of schedule in terms of wins than Boise State, Stanford and Oregon, while only Clemson is the only one who could be ahead of them out of that group.

Obviously LSU/Alabama, Oklahoma/Oklahoma State/Kansas State will also be in front of them with Clemson, but Sparty definitely enters the discussion after this win (assuming they keep winning).

Another thing in Michigan State's favor is the Big Ten having a conference championship game this season.

Last season Sparty was 11-1 in the regular season along with both Ohio State and Wisconsin, but was left out of the BCS party despite being a co-conference champion.

Perhaps this season may turn out to be vindication for that, but remaining left on the schedule are the No. 13 Nebraska Cornhuskers who plays host to Sparty next Saturday.

The 'Huskers are the best team by far left in the regular season for Sparty, but as long as Michigan State keeps on winning, there's no reason why they can't be in the national title discussion.

They'll most likely have to beat Wisconsin again in the Big Ten title game, but with some help based on how the other undefeated teams' schedules are, Michigan State could very well sneak in after the conference title games.

When all the smoke has cleared by season's end though, chances are the BCS No. 1 school will be undefeated while the No. 2 school has one loss. The season just feels like it's shaping up to finish that way.

In turn, maybe that increases the shot of a playoff system sooner than later.

Is it too early to get excited about the games in November yet? I think not.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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