[NU Sports] MSU Game

[Mike Nolan]

> Is there any motivation for MSU to rest players? The game is essentially 
> meaningless to them but next week matters a lot. 

Back to back losses (assuming they also lose the conference championship
game) might affect their bowl placement, though they're guaranteed to 
drop to no further than 4th pick by virtue of being in the conference 
championship game.  

But if Wisconsin goes to the Rose Bowl, and Michigan goes to the Sugar
Bowl, what team would a bowl want next if not Michigan State?  Nebraska
is the only one that comes to mind. (Husker fans have the reputation of
travelling well to bowl games, I don't know if that's really the case.)

If Penn State beats both Wisconsin and Michigan State, then things could 
get tricker.

A loss to the Cats would definitely affect their standing in the polls.
I think they'll be reasonably motivated against us.  Which would make
a Northwestern win just so much sweeter!  (My wife is still getting 'hey,
you guys beat us!' comments on the UNL campus.  She just smiles.)
--
Mike Nolan