Michigan State

Michigan State was arguably the nation's best team at the end of last season, but when it came time to select participants in the BCS title game, there wasn't a word mentioned about the Spartans. Yes, politics and reputation play just as big of a role as on-field results. It was said Michigan State's conference wasn't tough enough and besides, who were these Spartans? The bright lights of the national stage would certainly get to them. Michigan State would have none of it. The Spartans held their ground with the nation's best defense and ended Ohio State's 24-game winning streak in the Big Ten title game. Then they toppled Stanford in the Rose Bowl. The Spartans enter 2014 having won 10 in a row, second-longest streak to Florida State's 16.