The biggest matchup in college football this weekend is the one that is sneaking in the back door on ABC in Chicago: Michigan State at Northwestern.  Rarely has it been that two teams with a combined 11-1 record and at first place in their conference get as little national attention as these two squads halfway through the season.  If this were, say Florida-LSU (a combined 8-1), then you'd have the Game Day crew in town and it would grab national headlines... but, these are two schools from the snow belt where the snow has yet to fall, but who have dynamic running backs, greater/larger alumni base... and smarter students.  

The #23 Mildcats of Chicago are never taken seriously.  And they shouldn't.  But, if you are an opposing coach, you should not take them lightly, either.  This is a team that runs the college version of catch-me-if-you-can, throwing the ball around like a piece of swiss cheese in a room full of mice.  Half the time, the mice bite and take it to the hole... the other half the time, they scurry around looking silly.  Still, its an effective way to be competitive when you won't give academic waivers and your players are only admitted if they can solve a calculus puzzle diagramming the area underneath the success of the catch-me-if-you-can playbook.  If you love pretty passing and dandelions, you'll love the Mildcats. 

On the other side, you have the #19 Spartans of East Lansing, which are also rarely taken seriously, but for a different reason. This year's Spartans are the definition of cognitive dissonance, where a rallying cry of "yes we're good, yes we're good, yes we're good, yes we're good... etc" is as close to respect on the gridiron as they've had in 40 years.  Regardless of the record of consistent mediocrity, its significant alumni support keeps stadiums sold out annually.  Millions of Spartan fans are gluttons for punishment.  And, with the Doctor (MD - Mark Dantonio) as its new coach, MSU's version of smash-mouth football is a deliberate intention to pile-drive opponents into the turf without regard to resistance.  If you love violence, you'll love the Spartans.

It is this backdrop that makes for one of the more intriguing matchups of the weekend.  One of these teams has the chance to make a run at the Big Ten leaderboard.  Yet, the Gods of college football give this game back-billing to more traditional football powers.  For us Spartans and Mildcats, we say DAMN YOU -- as this game surpasses all others this weekend in significance and enjoyment.  

Our message for all of you two-or more-loss teams in the NCAA?  There's still room on our bandwagons.  Climb aboard, and enjoy the ride.