Position breakdown: Michigan State better than Rutgers everywhere but special teams

EAST LANSING — Michigan State’s dream of a national championship has vanished, but coach Mark Dantonio insists the Spartans will finish the season playing for pride and an elite bowl trip.

The team looked good in a 37-15 win before a sold-out, packed crowd on a cold Saturday night in Maryland, but No. 10-ranked Michigan State (8-2, 5-1) might not have a full house at noon on Saturday, when new Big Ten member Rutgers (6-4, 2-4) comes to Spartan Stadium.

The Scarlet Knights are coming off a much-needed 45-23 win over Indiana after a tough stretch of losses to Ohio State (56-17), Nebraska (42-24) and Wisconsin (37-0).

It’s quite possible for the Spartans to continue to drop in the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings if they don’t win impressively enough. - Read more at Freep.com