Michigan State Spartans: Linking Loquaciously Congratulates Tom Izzo

First Things First: A new and improved betting line has emerged.

According to VegasInsiders.com earlier this week, Michigan State was a 1 1/2 point favorite over Penn State for the home finale. However, after the sports books listed their odds for the Spartans' final regular season game against a Big Ten opponent, the line jumped over 10 points.

MSU, who comes in ranked fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings, control their own destiny towards a Big Ten championship appearance if they knock off the Nittany Lions in East Lansing, setting up a matchup with No. 4 ranked Iowa.

Second Thing: Three players could receive a sixth year.

There's positivity from head coach Mark Dantonio and MSU’s senior associate athletic director for compliance Jennifer Smith that the NCAA will grant another year of eligibility to both linebacker Ed Davis, defensive lineman Damon Knox and offensive guard Brandon Clemons.

In order to qualify, the players must have completed a Bachelor's degree at the end of the academic year in May, and according to Smith and the Detroit Free Press, all three are on course to do so.

Game competition is another factor and because the group each has had two seasons cut short due to injury during their time at MSU, it shouldn't hurt their cause.

Third Thing: Mike Greenberg goes on a rant.

The one half of "Mike & Mike" spilled his frustration over the CFP committee's decision to rank Oklahoma ahead of Michigan State, who's coming off arguably the biggest win by any FBS program this season against then No. 3 ranked Ohio State.

The Sooners are ranked third in the country and the Spartans are fifth behind Iowa. Regardless of the current week 13 standings, if MSU beats Penn State this weekend and then the Hawkeyes in Indianapolis, they're in the semifinals.

But do you agree with Greeny? Is MSU deserving of a better ranking?

Fourth Thing: Tom Izzo gets his 500th win.

A great accomplishment for a sought after head coach, becoming the sixtieth all-time leader in wins for a college basketball coach at any level. He's two behind Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan and 28 behind former Michigan coach Steve Fisher.

Once Izzo reaches 600 wins, he'll also be the 31st head coach to reach that milestone with one program. The leader of that category is Mike Kyzyzewski of Duke with 1,023 wins, followed by Bob Knight during his time with Indiana.

Last Thing: It's officially the Christmas season.

With that being said, each week leading up to Christmas day, I'll be posting one festive holiday song.

Today, it's Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, performed by none other than DMX!