Let the talking commence.
With Michigan and Michigan State set to square off Saturday at the Big House, the war of words began Monday.
The Wolverines have reason to feel confident this year. They enter the game with a record of 7-2, including a convincing win two weeks ago against Notre Dame. The Spartans, meanwhile, have lost four straight, the latest a fourth-quarter meltdown against Illinois.
That said, Michigan isn't taking its rival lately. Jim Harbaugh said his team will be "on high alert for everything."
"Coach Dantonio is a master motivator," he added.
Harbaugh and Dantonio have split their four games against each other. Michigan won last year's game 21-7, after losing at home in 2017.
While neither team is in serious postseason contention at this point, the game looms large. Dantonio appears to be on shaky ground for the first time in his 13-year tenure at MSU, and Harbaugh and Michigan could deliver a potentially fatal blow.
On the other hand, the Spartans could partially redeem their season with a win -- and put the heat back on Harbaugh at Michigan.
Either way, the outcome won't be taken lightly.
"It's one of those games you circle on the calendar," said Michigan offensive lineman and co-captain Ben Bredeson. "Everybody's always ready to go for it. I just try to tell the young guys, 'Keep your composure, keep your head.' We've seen these games, they can get very heated, very emotional."