Saturday’s in-state matchup between Michigan State and Central Michigan isn’t the typical rivalry game that receives much recognition. But both head coaches, Mark Dantonio and John Bonamego have said this one does carry a little weight, particularly for in-state players.

It may mean a little more to Bonamego, too.

Bonamego spoke with Central Michigan reporter Evan Petzold about this weekend’s matchup between the Chippewas and the Spartans and providing a little detail about what the game means to him. And growing up, Bonamego says he preferred rooting for Michigan.

“When you grow up playing high school football in this state, a majority of kids follow Michigan or Michigan State,” Bonamego told Petzold. “In my case, it was Michigan.

“A big part of the reason I ended up at CMU was because I could tell a lot of parallels between the Michigan program and Central Michigan program. CMU was a championship program and had a lot of tradition.”

Was that a subtle shot that Bonamego fired at Michigan State? You can decide that.

Dantonio and the Spartans don’t need any bulletin board material for this week’s matchup. The Spartans know that Central Michigan players would love to stun their B1G counterpart and shock the world, especially those in-state kids.

But Bonamego’s comments might be in the back of their minds heading into the game. Michigan State may want to prove to the CMU head coach that there’s also a championship tradition in East Lansing.