BCS Rankings Week 9: Michigan State Deserves to Be Top 10

The Michigan State Spartans won an instant classic in Week 8 against Wisconsin but were ultimately snubbed in the BCS rankings.

Truth be told, the Spartans deserve to be in the BCS Top 10.

The now No. 11 Spartans find themselves on the outside looking in—they were denied Top-10 status after beating then No. 6 Wisconsin, who fell to No. 15. 

The Spartans will just have to continue winning in the Big Ten as they travel to Lincoln, Nebraska to face the No. 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers this week.

With a road win in Week 9 against a ranked opponent, the Spartans will be undeniable for Top-10 status. 

Here are reasons why the Spartans warrant a Top-10 ranking. 

No. 5: The Spartans Now Have All the Confidence in the World

Right now, the Michigan State Spartans can't be held back.

After a disappointing game in South Bend, Indiana against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Week 3, the Spartans have vowed to not lose again.

The team is playing with a chip on their shoulder this season after being the odd man out of the BCS formula last year.

On top of that, they were humiliated in the Capital One Bowl against Alabama, 49-7.

Beginning the Big Ten season 3-0, the Spartans are finally looking like a well-rounded football team.

Don't expect them to slow down anytime soon.  

No. 4: No. 8 Kansas State Is Overrated

While it is true that the Kansas State Wildcats are undefeated to this point, they're overrated. 

Kansas State has only beaten one ranked team thus far, which was then No. 15 Baylor in Week 4 by a score of 36-35.

Kansas State most likely got the nod over Michigan State for the Top 10 this week because they are 7-0 and beat Texas Tech just two weeks ago. Texas Tech pulled a major upset at Oklahoma in Week 8, which makes Kansas State look better. 

Another thing that hurt MSU was the fact that Notre Dame lost again in Week 8, and are now 4-3. Notre Dame handed Michigan State its only loss this season, 31-13. 

Good news for Spartan fans, Kansas State plays a ticked off No. 9 Oklahoma team this week. K State then plays No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 16 Texas A&M and No. 24 Texas in consecutive weeks.

Expect Kansas State to fall fast.  

No. 3: Quarterback Kirk Cousins Has Come Alive

Michigan State senior quarterback Kirk Cousins has finally come alive with his Week 8 performance against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Cousins was 22-of-31 for 290 yards and three touchdowns against the Badgers, including a last-second Hail Mary that put the Spartans over the top.

Until last week, Cousins looked shaky in his senior season. Now the quarterback looks like he's ready to take his team to the BCS promise land. Cousins is known for his accuracy and with his newfound confidence, the rest of the Big Ten should be put on notice. 

Behind Cousins, the Spartans are now fully ready and able to make their mark on college football. 

No. 2: The Spartans Have Beaten Two Straight Undefeated Teams

The Michigan State Spartans have beaten two straight undefeated opponents in the Michigan Wolverines and Wisconsin Badgers. 

Then ranked No. 11 Michigan was not a huge surprise because MSU has now beaten them four straight years. However, a victory for MSU against No. 6 Wisconsin was a pleasant surprise. The Badgers looked for revenge after last year's loss to the Spartans, but it wasn't to be true. 

Wisconsin was a dark horse national championship contender behind phenom quarterback Russell Wilson until they were handed a BCS death blow in East Lansing. Plenty of people were on Bucky Badgers' bandwagon—they had many believers in their abilities. 

The Spartans will have to beat their third straight ranked opponent in Week 9 against No. 14 Nebraska in Lincoln if they're to continue on their journey to prominence and respectability. 

No. 1: Defense Wins Championships

The Michigan State Spartans currently hold the seventh best defense in the nation, allowing just 13.7 points/game.

This has been the biggest surprise for the team this year—they were said to have a rebuilding year on the defensive side of the ball because of the loss of graduating linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. Directed by defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, the Spartan defense has only gotten better this season.  

Proof of their dominance? They held the mighty Wisconsin Badger offense to 31 points. While 31 points may seem like too many, the Badgers came into the game averaging slightly more than 50 points/game. 

The Spartans will need a repeat performance on the road against No.14 Nebraska in Week 9. The Cornhuskers average 37.6 points/game. 

It's no secret that defense wins championships, and the Spartans sure do have a great one.