“I don’t think anything we did last year is suddenly going to help us on Saturday,” senior quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “Michigan has a new coach, a new program, a new team, so it’s a year-in and year-out thing.

“With the way Michigan’s playing, they clearly couldn’t care less about what happened in the past years. If anything, it only motivates them more. So we need to be ready this Saturday, and I believe we will be.”

MSU (4-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) hosts the 104th meeting between undefeated rival U-M (6-0, 2-0) at noon (ESPN) Saturday at Spartan Stadium. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 67-31-5, but their last win in East Lansing was 28-24 in 2007. Going into the weekend off a bye week, the Spartans lead the Big Ten in rushing defense (320 yards), in pass defense (65-for-132 for 547 yards) and total defense, with their opponents averaging 173.4 yards per game.

However, U-M also has a defensive advantage, leading the conference in red zone defense, an area where MSU recently has struggled to convert.

The Wolverines also are at the top of the Big Ten in rushing offense (257.0 yards per game), and much of that can be credited to U-M quarterback Denard Robinson.

“Attention to detail is critical in this game — as it is in every football game,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said.
“When you’re playing a guy like Denard Robinson, the margin of error is very small.”

As the Spartans did last year, Dantonio said they have to contain Robinson, stop the run and limit momentum-building explosive plays.

Despite having the dynamic Robinson — who leads U-M in rushing, averaging 120 yards per game, and in passing with 188.3 yards per game — U-M head coach Brady Hoke recognized the challenge MSU’s highly-ranked defense will present.

Hoke called the Spartan defense “talented” and “aggressive,” which is evident by its nine sacks for 64 yards in the 10-7 win over Ohio State two weeks ago.

“Those kids play with a fire to them,” Hoke said. “They’re athletic; I think they play with good team speed, and they’re going to be a physical presence out on the field.”

Both Dantonio and Hoke — along with players — said they know this rivalry matchup is one of the most physical games of the year.

MSU’s offensive line — which struggled with injuries, penalties and pass protection for Cousins — made improvements against Ohio State, but it will have to face U-M defensive tackle Mike Martin and defensive end Ryan Van Bergen. Benefitting MSU, Hoke said U-M’s secondary continues to improve, but it’s “a long way from being a good secondary.”

“(Martin and Van Bergen) are a great tandem of defensive linemen who can play very well,” senior offensive guard Joel Foreman said. “We’ve got to be able to go out there and compete, and we’ve got to be able to go out there and (dominate) the line of scrimmage.”