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Harbaugh talks Mark Dantonio, Michigan State rivalry
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This is a big one for the two major universities in the state of Michigan.
The rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State isn’t on the same page as Michigan-Ohio State, but it’s a significant game for the Spartans an the Wolverines. It will only continue to climb in importance if both programs can sustain success at a high level over the next several years.
On Monday, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about the rivalry game and about Spartans’ head coach Mark Dantonio. He said that, like most opponents, he has the utmost respect for Dantonio and knows he’ll have his team ready to play in the Big House on Saturday.
“He is very knowledgeable, I think he’s a very good motivator and a very good recruiter,” Harbaugh said according to 247 Sports. “He’s a ball coach. We have the utmost respect for him and all of our opponents.”
And what about the showdown under the lights against Michigan State? Harbaugh knows that’s a big one.
“To us, it’s huge,” he said. “To Michigan State, it’s huge. Those in it and competing for it, it’s a huge rivalry and it’s a huge game. It’s a great trophy and you have two teams that want to win. You want to win the game, they want to compete, they want to earn it and they want to take it home. It’s big.”
Fitting that Harbaugh continually used the word “big,” as the trophy in this rivalry contest is the Paul Bunyan Trophy. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.
Saturday’s game between Michigan and Michigan State will kickoff at 7:30 pm and will air on ABC. The Wolverines are a 12.5-point favorite.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB