B. J. Cunningham (3) and Brian Linthicum could be performing during the holidays in Detroit, in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field. (John Autey/Pioneer Press)
East Lansing
If Michigan State becomes bowl eligible, it might face stiff competition from Michiganfor a chunk of in-state cash.
The Spartans and Wolverines could both finish with at least six victories and be in contention for a Little Caesars Pizza Bowl bid in Detroit that automatically pays $750,000 to each team.
Since both schools could sell tickets and avoid expensive travel costs, the take-home profit would be "significant," bowl director Ken Hoffman said.
Hoffman declined Wednesday to estimate a dollar figure.
"It would be huge, not only a real boost for the game, but for the city of Detroit and the state," Hoffman said. "All those fans would get to the game for the price of a tank of gasoline."
There are, however, a variety of factors beyond the bowl committee's control that determine the game's Big Ten representative.
The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl gets the No. 7 selection in the Big Ten, not necessarily the conference's seventh-place team.
"Whatever happens happens," said Hoffman, a former Spartans sports information director. "We have very little to say about it."
Interestingly, former Michigan State coach George Perles is the bowl's CEO and former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is president of the bowl's board of directors.
Iowa, Penn State and Ohio State all remain in the mix for possible Bowl Championship Series bowls and could force the selection order to be rearranged.
Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins said this week he's eager to play anywhere in the postseason -- if his team earns it.
If that means Christmas break in Detroit, then so be it.
"We only get 12 guaranteed games a year," Cousins said. "Whatever game we have, as long as we finish the season strong, we'll be up for it."
Since the Little Caesars Bowl is contracted with the Big Ten, no conference team selected can reject the bid, Hoffman said.
Martin makes his mark
Keshawn Martin is starting to show why coaches and players think so highly of him and his ability to run, catch and throw.
A receiver, the Inkster native accounted for a career-best 284 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in Michigan State's 42-34 loss at Minnesota last week.
Martin was selected as this week's Big Ten special teams player of the week. His 284 yards are the highest single-game figure in the conference this season.
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By the numbers
0.56 MSU's turnover margin, tied for 97th out of 120 Division I teams
60 Penalty yards per game
Bowl scenarios
Games Michigan State could participate in if it becomes bowl eligible:
Champs Sports Bowl
Matchup: Big Ten No. 4 vs. ACC No. 4
Kickoff: 8 p.m. Dec. 29, Orlando, Fla. (ESPN)
Alamo Bowl
Matchup: Big Ten No. 5 vs. Big 12 No. 4 or No. 5
Kickoff: 8 p.m. Jan. 2, San Antonio, Texas (ESPN)
Insight Bowl
Matchup: Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 6
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Dec. 31, Tempe, Ariz. (NFL Network)
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Matchup: Big Ten No. 7 vs. MAC
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Dec. 26, Detroit (ESPN)
Western Michigan at Michigan State
Kickoff: Noon Saturday, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
TV/radio: Big Ten Network/WJR 760
Records: Western Michigan 4-5, Michigan State 4-5
Series: Michigan State leads 8-2
Line: Michigan State by 20
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