JN: I certainly didn’t see it coming down to this. Quite frankly, the Spartans are fortunate to have a shot at the Broncos at this point in the season with three must-win games ahead. A 6-6 season is not the end of the world. But a continuation of last week’s performance is cause for concern. I don’t expect it to be an issue. Little Caesars Pizza Bowl or bust! Besides, my entourage is traveling north this weekend from a school without American football, so I expect my Spartans to put on a show. Like my boy Montell Jordan said: This is how we do it.

MSU 38, Western Michigan 17

MB: This is the very definition of a must-win game for the Spartans. Anything less than a two-touchdown victory against the Broncos should be considered a disappointment. After not taking care of business against Minnesota, each game now is a must-win for MSU. It’s quite disappointing that the season has taken so many twists and turns, but ultimately, this team has the talent and the ability to make things happen. Now it’s time for it to start forcing the breaks to go their way. That starts Saturday.

MSU 34, Western Michigan 17

CV: Will the Spartans be embarrassed by an in-state MAC school again? The Spartans’ defense is perhaps coming off its worst performance of the season at Minnesota. Maybe the change of scenery makes that much of a difference. It better, because Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller has the ability to pick the Spartans’ secondary apart. Kirk Cousins will have a monster game and this game will become a shootout, but I see the Spartans having last possession and not allowing the defense to lose the game in the final seconds.

MSU 38, Western Michigan 35

ZP: To become bowl eligible, MSU simply cannot afford to lose another game, especially at home to another MAC school. “Captain Kirk” Cousins will have a perfect game, our receiving corps will make its catches and the running backs and defense will step up to win this one.

MSU 28, Western Michigan 21

MSU field hockey in the Big Ten Tournament

All weekend, Big Ten Network

JN: This MSU team is loaded and hell hath no fury like a Dutch field hockey player seeking revenge. The Spartans are out for payback after being stopped short in both the Big Ten and NCAA tourneys last year. This is their time. Jeff Kanan is a man on a mission and no team in the Big Ten is going to get in his way of reporting on an MSU Big Ten Tournament victory Sunday.

MB: The Spartans have been by far the Big Ten’s best team all season. Things are setting up perfectly for them to make a huge run and finally capture the elusive Big Ten Tournament title, especially with it at home. After stumbling against Iowa last season, all engines are rolling for MSU. Be sure to head out to Ralph Young Field this weekend to see the Spartans in action. Will MSU win the tournament? Bank on it!

CV: After last season’s tough finish, the MSU field hockey team has been on a mission this season. With the first regular season conference championship in program history, the Spartans will roll over the rest of the Big Seven, oh, I mean Ten. The senior leadership on this team will make sure the Spartans don’t overlook anyone and they will celebrate the conference tournament championship on their own turf.

ZP: MSU tops last season’s Big Ten regular season champion, Penn State, 3-2 in the finals, with goals by Floor Rijpma, Jeamie Deacon, Julie Mackay and terrific saves by Elissa Unger.