No. 8 Purdue, No. 13 Michigan State meet for smaller stakes than usual

In previous seasons, Michigan State and Purdue playing this late with both ranked among the nation's top 15 would feel like the Big Ten's most important game of the year.

But entering their only regular-season meeting on Thursday night in West Lafayette, Ind., this clash between No. 13 Michigan State (22-5, 12-4 Big Ten) and No. 8 Purdue (22-5, 12-4) has no banner-hanging implications.

With Michigan owning a commanding lead in the conference title race, the Spartans and Boilermakers...