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What Mel Tucker said as Michigan State prepares for Top 10 showdown vs. Ohio State
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Coaches can talk all they want about playing one game at a time, and treating every game the same.
Every game isn’t the same.
When No. 7 Michigan State heads to Columbus to take on No. 5 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon, it’ll be a big game for both sides. The winner will have a clear path to the top spot in the B1G East, and College Football Playoff implications are also at stake.
After bouncing back from their 40-29 upset loss to Purdue the week before, the Spartans toppled Maryland 40-21 on Saturday. As soon as the game was over, all eyes started looking to this weekend’s showdown with the Buckeyes.
At his weekly Monday morning press conference, Spartans head coach Mel Tucker talked about preparing for the big game. Although Tucker tried to downplay the magnitude of the matchup, there really wasn’t much getting around it.
Here is some of what was said during the latest “Monday’s with Mel.”
Tucker said he does like having tons of reserves on the bench even when it’s allowed at home games. Saw some young players sitting down and told coaches to take their names down and get them standing.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 15, 2021
Tucker says he told injured MSU players today; “If you can go, give us what you got. If you can’t go, you can’t go and it’s next man up.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 15, 2021
Tucker to @Graham_Couch on if he viewed last year’s loss to OSU as a sign of what he wanted MSU to become: “The measuring stick is the standard I have for the team, what my expectations are. It doesn’t have anything to do with Ohio State or anybody else.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 15, 2021
Tucker: "If you're asking if Ohio State is the measuring stick, the measuring stick is the standard that I have for the team … doesn't have anything to do with Ohio State or anyone else."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 15, 2021
Tucker: "We don't have a pretty football team. It's meat and potatoes."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 15, 2021
Mel Tucker on big games: "Scared money doesn't win. You have to play to win."
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) November 15, 2021
Mel Tucker:
‘I told ‘em this morning: ‘This is not rec ball. We’re playing for something here.’
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) November 15, 2021
Tucker says he’s coached in “some meaningful games in November and beyond.” Playing clean football and not making mistakes is critical as well as playing with precision, grit and determination.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 15, 2021
Tucker: "I'm delighted and I'm overflowing with enthusiasm in preparation for this game." His delivery might say otherwise, but his demeanor rarely changes during 'Monday's with Mel'
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 15, 2021
Tucker on MSU's big wins at Columbus in the past: "History isn't necessarily predictive of the future. It's all about what happens on game day."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) November 15, 2021
MSU coach Mel Tucker at the podium. “We put ourselves in a position to play meaningful games in November, and we have a challenge ahead” vs. Ohio State.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 15, 2021
Tucker said his comments on students leaving was an observation. “What we’ll have here at some point is a stadium that’s packed and people will be with us start to finish, win lose or draw, rain or snow.” Developing that is still part of his process.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 15, 2021
Tucker: “I’m not in the shootout business.” Wants to hold teams to low numbers on defense to win.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 15, 2021
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.