East Lansing — They don’t hide their intentions and they shouldn’t, because this is as real as it’s ever been. The Spartans are unfazed, as if they’ve been on this path for a while, which they have.
When you’re playing in your third Big Ten championship game in five years, you develop a certain self-assuredness. So the Spartans have no problem saying what they seek, and it’s not some outdated abstract like validation or vindication. It’s tangible and it’s possible — a national championship.
Let’s be clear — there’s little chance Michigan State would look past Iowa, a similar team built on physical, fundamental play.