BCS Rankings 2011: Michigan State Deserves a BCS Bowl Game Despite Loss

Losing a nail-biter to close out the season could be the very reason why the Michigan State Spartans will find themselves on the outside looking in.

These No. 13 Spartans lost to No. 15 Wisconsin 42-39 in the closing seconds of the Big Ten Championship Game. However, despite the loss, Michigan State has proven that they deserve a spot in a BCS bowl game.

For one, Michigan State has been on fire lately. In its last five games, the Spartans have won four including a streak of four-straight prior to the loss to Wisconsin. Three of those wins were double-digit wins including a 55-3 blowout win over Indiana.

The other big factor has been the fact that they have played some of the best defense in the nation all season long.

The 17.5 points the team allows per game is the ninth-best in the nation, while they also average over 30 points per game on offense.

The defense has been led by the play of safeties Trenton Robinson and Isaiah Lewis, who have combined for eight interceptions, with each posting four takeaways on the year. The four interceptions each are tied for the most the Big Ten.

Offensively the team has picked up its game as well, as the Spartans have yet to score less than 31 points in their last five games, including a 55-point game against Indiana. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been fueling this offense to victory.

In those last five games where the Spartans seem to be a revitalized ball club, Cousins has thrown for the bulk of his 24 touchdowns on the season, with 13. Against Wisconsin in the loss, Cousins threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns.

As a loss is likely to have the team dropping in the rankings, there is a chance these Spartans find themselves outside of the top 14 and failing to reach a BCS bowl game. Yet the Spartans should end up no lower than No. 14, as they have proved to be a force to reckon with lately.