Place your friendly wagers, begin the talk trash and get ready for the hype.
MSU’s matchup with No. 6 Michigan has all the makings for another rigorous battle between the state’s bitter rivals.
But don’t think the Spartans are going to exchange any pregame pleasantries.
“We’re going about business as normal,” MSU head coach Bobby Williams said. “This is the next game on our schedule. It is a very key game on our schedule, but we’re going to continue our focus and really zero in on what we have to do to win this football game.”
That’s ditto for MSU’s players, who have been careful talking to the media this week.
“You can’t make it more than just a game,” senior linebacker Josh Thornhill said. “A lot of people get caught up in the media hype and everything like that. When you start going down that road you stop focusing on the actual game.”
Thornhill, a Lansing native, knows all about the rivalry’s rich history because his father, Charles, was an All-Big Ten linebacker on MSU’s 1965 and 1966 National Championship teams.
But the tri-captain won’t get too hyped up for the game, unlike his father - who was nicknamed “Mad Dog” during his playing days.
“I’m sure he feels a little differently about that,” said Thornhill with a smile. “But at the same time he understands that we have to keep focused.”
In years past, there have been instances where both MSU and U-M players have called each other out.
And those news clippings have turned into plenty of locker room material.
“It’s not a thing about talking junk,” said senior defensive tackle Josh Shaw. “I don’t smack or anything like that about the other team. Whatever you say to the press during the week is not going to help you on Saturday - it’s pointless.”
As a guy who’s not afraid to say what’s on his mind, sophomore center Brian Ottney said he’s making sure nobody runs their mouth, especially the younger players.
“In big games leadership is critical not because of who you’re playing necessarily, but because we have a lot of young guys on our team that haven’t played in certain games,” Ottney said. “They aren’t sure about what to expect.
“Sometimes they read about this and that and the rivalry and all that and get caught up with what’s going on in the papers. From that standpoint, leadership is important to help keep the younger guys in line.”
Another sell-out crowd will be on hand Saturday at Spartan Stadium, a venue freshman strong safety Robert Flagg calls “The Woodshed.”
Flagg, of Carol City, Fla., has shown he isn’t afraid to unleash his enthusiasm and energy on the field. He said he’ll be poised and ready for his first backyard brawl.
“I’ve never been part of a rivalry game,” said Flagg, who has shown plenty of emotion on the field through the first six games. “I’ve heard that it’s a big deal. But I’m just taking this game as a regular game on our schedule that we need to win.”
