Michigan State sits at the top of the Big Ten, with a 36-5 mark over the past three years and two conference titles. The Spartans beat powerful Ohio State last season on the way to the College Football Playoff, and Mark Dantonio’s teams have finished in the top 10 for three consecutive years, with five 11-win seasons out of the past six.
They have won with grit and good fortune, with offense and defense and special teams, with continuity on the coaching staff and through development in the program.
All this week, across every Power 5 league, we’re looking at what it takes to reach the top.