DAVE KINCHEN ONLINE

VIDEO: Michigan State defeats the Georgia Bulldogs in a stunning triple OT victory in the 2012 Outback Bowl

It was a great win, and in front of the whole nation no less.  Capping the excitement of the holiday season for millions of Spartan fans across America, Michigan State did what it had the strength and talent to do Monday night; defeating the Georgia Bulldogs and taking victory at the 2012 Outback Bowl in Tampa.

Despite a slow start and being a couple TD’s behind in the early stages, the Spartans rallied by the second half.  Grit, heart and competitiveness charging ahead at full steam for both teams, they went beyond regulation three times before it was all said and done, with a final score of 33-30.

The Bulldogs deserve tremendous credit.  They played hard, but MSU showed once again what the remarkable growth of the past few years can do on the football field.  They showed what happens when a team remembers where they come from and what they are about.  That’s what happens when resolve meets commitment; when passion meets will.

Why then, do some in the media continue to withhold the credit that this program deserves?   I’ve never heard this team or any of the fans try to take credit for anything they have not done.   Yet I have seen them stunned by the virtual silence that goes along with the improved product they put on the field.

One Detroit writer, for example, said head coach Mark Dantonio had “something to prove” in the Outback Bowl.  He said the growth under his leadership wasn’t enough, that Dantonio needed a bowl win.  Maybe so, but I take the Outback Bowl win as another glorious moment for a worthy team, not proof of anything that hasn’t been proven several times over before.

MSU may have been a heartbeat away from the Big Ten title this year, but won a key share of it in 2010. MSU beat some of the toughest teams in the conference, (teams that a great Michigan team did not play by the way).   MSU beat Michigan four consecutive times.  And for the second time in a row, MSU finished a season with at least 10 wins; the second time that had been done since the Nick Saban days.

But then again, I don’t need to hear it from the sports media or anywhere else.  I hear it from the fans.  I see it from the team.  I see it on the field.  I don’t know about you, but that’s good enough for me.  Go Green!  Go White!