Darrell Campbell hates Michigan State. He can't sit down, much less stand still, when he discusses the absolute disgust he has for the Spartans.
"I really don't like MSU," the Notre Dame defensive tackle said. "In the past years, there's been a lot of grinding-out games. It's like a fistfight."
Campbell and the Fighting Irish snapped a five-game losing streak against the Spartans when head coach Tyrone Willingham, his first year coaching at Notre Dame, led his team to a 21-17 victory on the road at his alma mater.
The rivalry between MSU and Notre Dame dates back to 1897. The historic match was played every season from 1959-1994 before a two-year hiatus.
The annual rivalry has since been renewed and revamped, beginning in 1997 when MSU beat the Irish 23-7 in South Bend, Ind. The Spartans haven't lost in South Bend since.
The Irish lead the series 42-23-1. The lone tie, 10-10 in 1966, has been labeled by many, "the greatest of all time."
The last few games of the rivalry have given the 1966 game a run for its money. Willingham remembers watching the tie and says the tradition of the rivalry has been maintained over the years and admits the last few games have been exciting.
"I think the rivalry has always been there," Willingham said. "I think its been a good, solid rivalry for a long time.
"And anytime you bring a game down to the last seconds, that adds a lot of suspense for fans on both sides, and unfortunately that usually causes heart problems for one particular side. It's the way football is often meant to be played."
Willingham also said he doesn't have to remind his team that they haven't successfully defended their home turf in years. Notre Dame has lost their last three home games to the Spartans and hardly enjoy a winning record at home. The Irish are 15-10 against the Spartans in Notre Dame Stadium.
Defensive line coach Greg Mattison, the longest-serving coach on Willigham's staff, said the rivalry is so rich because of both schools' traditions and their respect for each other.
"The one thing you got to know when you're playing Michigan State is that they have a tremendous tradition," Mattison said.
"They are a very aggressive, tough football team," he said. "I think any football player that plays against Michigan State always has to respect them - because of what they have done in the past and what they are doing now."
Mattison, who enters his seventh year as an Irish coach, said there is "no question" this year's game will be similar to the last few exciting finishes, because both schools are seeking redemption after losing last weekend.
"I think it'll be a very close, fought-hard football game," Mattison said.
"We've got to come back and prove that we can play football like you're expected to play at Notre Dame," he said. "When you have a great tradition, you have something to prove every game, and I think that's what's at stake for both teams - the traditions and the expectations are very high."
The coaches aren't the only ones who are aware of the tradition and rivalry between the Irish and the Spartans.
Irish linebacker Courtney Watson, who led Notre Dame with 15 tackles against MSU last season, said he and his teammates know all too well that there is no such thing as a home field advantage in the storied rivalry.
"The guys that have been around for a while understand that Michigan State likes to come in here and play like it's their home away from home," Watson said.
Smoker recognized Notre Dame as a great program and for the excitement the match-up generates.
"Notre Dame has the best athletes in the country," Smoker said. "Everybody wants to go to Notre Dame. I think it's a special place to play. It's been a great rivalry since I've been here. I look forward to this game every year. We've had some great ones, and I expect this weekend to be another one."
Senior defensive end Greg Taplin said he'd like to grab a win on the road surrounded by all the tradition in South Bend.
"We've got a chance to go down there and have a big game against them," Taplin said. "Hell, Notre Dame - that's Touchdown Jesus."
