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Ranking the top 10 best Big Ten football rivalries

By Shane Lunnen

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: The Wisconsin Badgers hoist Paul Bunyan's Axe after winning the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

5. Michigan State vs. Ohio State

When one thinks of Ohio State’s rivalries, the one with Michigan always tops the list. However the Buckeyes series with the other team in Michigan has proven to be exciting and significant in recent years.

The overall series has been mostly controlled by Ohio State as they currently own a 32-15 series lead. But since the Big Ten expanded in 2011, the series took on more significance. The 2012 game saw both teams in the top 20 with the Buckeyes squeaking out a one point victory.

In the 2013 season, the teams did not meet in the regular season but faced off in Indianapolis with the Big Ten championship on the line. The 10th ranked Spartans beat the second ranked Buckeyes 34-24, punching their ticket to Pasadena and denying the Buckeyes a shot at the national championship.

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The Buckeyes got their revenge the following season in East Lansing, taking down the seventh ranked Spartans. The teams would meet as top 10 foes again in 2015, with Michigan State kicking a game winning field goal as time expired, giving them the inside track to their eventual spot in the College Football Playoff.

Even though the last three meetings have been Ohio State victories, the teams have been ranked in the top 20 besides their 2016 meeting. Even with the Spartans having a down season that season, they still came within a point of upsetting the Buckeyes.

This is not a traditional rivalry but a more modern one. With Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff berths on the line, it certainly makes for good drama when these two teams meet.

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