Any fan of the Michigan State Spartans has to be ecstatic. Our team is often looked down upon, but they were able to prove themselves in the 2015 Cotton Bowl, in which they made a fourth quarter comeback to win the tournament and set a few Cotton Bowl records. Now, the Spartans are being pitted against Alabama in the playoffs, amidst a slew of negative critics. A lot of anti-Michigan State fans are complaining that the Spartans should not have the chance to face Alabama.

Jack Conklin, a Michigan State Spartan, views this negative feedback as a delightful challenge.

Conklin is a junior at Michigan State University, and a left tackle for the Spartans team. He is already being looked at as a potential first round NFL draft pick, but he is not letting that affect his mentality about the playoffs at all. Rather, it is making him more focused on beating Alabama, because he does not want to lose focus and let down his team. His future is an uncertain one, and he is completely okay with that. He views getting to the national championship as the most important thing in his life right now.

Of course, Conklin has a reason to be of this mindset. The Michigan State football program is where he grew into the championship player he is now. He began as a walk-on, simply for a scholarship, and went on to become one of the best players on the team. Surprisingly, Conklin likes that he started as a walk-on. He says it makes him appreciate his position and his team all the more. He was all but dismissed by the recruiting services, but put his best foot forward despite, and became a valuable asset to his team.

Conklin is still in the mindset that he has to prove himself, and this has spread to the rest of his team. Now, the Spartans are excited to face off against Alabama in the playoffs because it will give them yet another chance to prove themselves as a team. The offensive line, of which Conklin is a part, is especially excited to show Alabama, and the people who don’t think they deserve to face Alabama, what they can do.

This New Year’s game at 8pm on December 31st will be Michigan State’s 26th appearance in the Cotton Bowl. For four years in a row now, they have won a school record, so there is a high chance they will win this championship game as well. Their quarterback Connor Cook, who has been recovering for some time from a shoulder injury, is supposed to be in tip top shape for the game, and the entire team is completely focused on the win.

I believe this is going to be a Cotton Bowl to remember for our Spartans.