Most of the fire seemingly has been extinguished from the Michigan State-Michigan football game.
There has not been much “Little Brother” or “Little Sister” talk this rivalry week.
You’d never know based on the apathy from both sides that this is one of the most important games in the history of the rivalry.
The Spartans can re-estabish their dominance in the rivalry with a victory Saturday night in Ann Arbor.
Sound ridiculous? Michigan just won the national championship, an incredible accomplishment considering the undistingushed track record of Big Ten football.
Also, the Wolverines have outscored MSU by a whopping 78-7 margin the last two meetings.
But If MSU wins, Michigan’s faithful can tout the national championship all they want, but all the Spartans would have to do is point to the scoreboard, their promising young quarterback, Aidan Chiles, sensational freshman receiver, Nick Marsh, and the recent past to claim superiority.
State has won 10 of the last 16 meetings.
As for the first-year coaches, MSU’s Jonathon Smith certainly has a lot more cache at this point than Michigan’s Sherrone Moore.
When the season began less than two months ago, who have thought such a scenario was even possible?
Both teams are 4-3. The Spartans are coming off an impressive win over Iowa during which Chiles and Marsh excelled.
Michigan turned in a dreadful performance in a loss st Illinois.
The Wolverines’ defense is OK, but underachieving in comparison to expections, and it’s iffy whether star cornerback Will Johnson will play because of a leg injury.
Michigan State has nothing to lose Saturday despite a groundswell suggesting it will win. The Spartans are still underdogs even if the original 6.5 point spread has been nearly cut in half.
The Wolverines have a lot to lose starting with potentially their bowl eligibility, which was unimagined. They have multiple probable early-round NFL Draft picks, who could opt out as business decisions.
The lack of hype is likely because neither fanbase is confident.
The Spartans were rocked by the Mel Tucker catastrophe. The end of the Mark Dantonio era went poorly, as well.
The Wolverines haven’t played a good football game all season. They were fortunate to down Southern Cal and Minnesota at home.
This is 2024. Michigan’s passing offense would have been feeble in 1924.
While there has not been much talking before the game, there will be plenty afterward by the winner.
Both these teams desperately want to win this game, albeit for different reasons.
Michigan to save face, MSU to regain it.