Most Dominant College Mascot on Earth: Spartans vs. Cyclones

Michigan State Spartans (1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (5)

Voting results: Iowa State Cyclones - 56%, Michigan State Spartans - 44%
Total votes: 3,476,157

Michigan State added another victim to its pile, defeating the Wyoming Cowboys in one of the greatest epic battles in history -- Internet history, that is.

With 2,029,414 votes cast, the Spartans edged the folks from Wyoming 50.8 percent (1,030,942 votes) to 49.2 percent (998,472). Despite a handful of e-mails from each side accusing the other of cheating, I applaud both for a tough, well-fought match. The Michigan State faithful had to take on an entire state, which produced more votes than double its population.

"We like to see Sparty be the best at everything," Ashley Dowser, who is a senior at Michigan State. "It's always good to get the school out to participate, even if it’s just for an online poll."

Their fans flooded the message board at spartantailgate.com and set up a Facebook group to get the word out and vote, vote, vote. (Did we mention we have a Facebook group, too? Come join us at SPiN on Sports.)

"It's important because we can't take losing. We deal with it enough in our athletics," said Joshua Huber, who claimed to vote 30,000-35,000 times this round.

"The contest got popular at Michigan State simply because everyone loves Sparty. Patrick Niebrzydowski and I have been on Facebook informing people how to vote, when to vote, and what the score is," said Arturo Gerardo Fausto.

So what's up next for Sparty and his crew?

A force of nature in the name of the Iowa State Cyclones! Don't be confused now -- the nickname is Cyclones, the mascot is Cy, the cardinal and the logo is a half-bird, half-tornado. Sparty and his group of 300 better get some extra swords and shields to take on that beast.

As for the fight -- it all depends which Cyclone shows up -- is this a small dust devil or devastating 300-mph, F5 storm, like the one that ripped Dr. Jo Harding's father from the basement in the movie Twister?

The Cyclones have plowed through the Billikens, Chanticleers, Dragons and Thunderbirds, but it's now time to face a group that has been battle tested by the best of them.

Keep it fair, and may the best man -- or storm -- win.

Cross-Regional matchups

Regional matchups