Mel Tucker not dodging importance of rivalry vs. Michigan: ‘It’s not just another game for us’

Mel Tucker spoke with the media on Monday afternoon on Michigan State’s upcoming rivalry game against Michigan.

Tucker knows this game is a big one. Not to mention, the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Both the Spartans (3-4, 1-3 B1G) and the Wolverines (7-0, 4-0 B1G) are coming off bye weeks. In Week 7, the Spartans were able to snap their 4-game losing streak by defeating Wisconsin 34-28 in double overtime on Oct. 15.

During Tucker’s weekly presser heading into the big rival game, he mentioned “we all know what this week is. It’s not just another game for us.”

Mel Tucker presser underway … "We all know what this week is. It's not just another game for us."

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 24, 2022

While MSU was on its bye week last week, Tucker added what the preparation looked like:

Tucker on the week off before the Michigan game: "We didn't roll out the bulletin board material and videos until this morning. Even though it's already out there."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 24, 2022

Although the Wolverines are currently undefeated, the Spartans have an opportunity to break their streak while at the Big House in Ann Arbor. Michigan State will try to keep the streak under Tucker alive with the head coach winning his first two matchups against Michigan.

MSU hopes to make this its third straight victory over UM. The last meeting ended in a victory for the Spartans, 37-33 in 2021.

This game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC Saturday, as both teams battle it out for the esteemed bragging rights and Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Kate Norum

Kate Norum covers college football for Saturday Tradition. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a B.S. in journalism and has always been passionate about sports. Follow Kate on Twitter @katenorum