The growth this team has made since last season is something that means a lot to the team, especially its seniors like senior safety Xavier Henderson.

“It's definitely a sense of accomplishment from where we were at last year and where we're at now,” Henderson said. “It's exciting looking at both seasons all together. Not only for us, but it's exciting to see the other games that were picked and some good matchups throughout the country. I've never been to Atlanta, so I'm pretty excited.”

Pittsburgh is led by their Head Coach Pat Narduzzi, who previously worked as MSU's Defensive Coordinator alongside Mark Dantonio for several years.

“We're excited obviously to be in this game,” Narduzzi said. “But it's a football game. It doesn't matter who the opponent is. We've got a great opponent. It doesn't matter that I coached there for a few years. That will not play into any role at all.”

For Narduzzi, all previous ties to MSU are gone. It's all business.

“Coach Tucker has got a brand-new roster there, and I don't think there's any guys on that roster I know or ever coached. A few guys on the staff, but besides that, there will be no emotions, it's just another football game,” Narduzzi said.

The excitement is high after MSU's placement into the bowl game was announced. The Spartans have had a phenomenal season, and have a chance to wrap it up strong.

“I haven't talked to the squad yet, but it is an accomplishment to get to a New Year's Six bowl, to get to the Peach Bowl. Winning 10 games is an accomplishment. I think it's the ninth time in the history of the school that the program has won 10 games, and we have an opportunity to get to 11. So we're really excited about that,” Michigan State Head Coach Mel Tucker said. “It's a great way to send out our seniors. Our fans have been great all season. It's going to give our fans an opportunity to support us again in a great bowl game. Our fans travel well. We have an exciting football team, and it's just a great way to wrap up the season.”

While they didn't reach their ultimate goal, they know this stretch of play means a lot for the squad rolling into the 2022 season.

“It's definitely a good thing to be playing in the New Year’s Six bowl. Not too many teams can say they're doing that,” Thorne said. “Obviously we fell a short a little bit of what our goal was this year, to play in the game yesterday and to win all of our games. We won 10 games and will have the chance to win 11 and that's a positive thing and shows progress in the right direction.”

One of the biggest challenges for the Spartan’s upcoming game is Pittsburgh's starting Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has been torching offenses with his arm all season.

“I have not seen any coaches' copy tape on him yet, but I've seen some highlights, and I've seen him a little bit on some — just in passing. I know he's a great player, so I know we're going to have to do a much better job on our pass defense,” Tucker said. We've got to tighten up some areas. We've got to get some guys back healthy in order to be able to have a chance to contain him and slow him down,” Tucker said.

Michigan State will prepare over the next few weeks for the big game, while staff will be out recruiting in preparation for the upcoming season.