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Central Michigan coach says Michigan State game ‘means more to in-state kids’
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In-state battles are always important. No matter the schools or the conferences, there’s always a sense of pride on the line in those matchups.
So Saturday’s matchup between Michigan State (2-1) and Central Michigan (1-3) might not catch much national attention, but it certainly means a lot to the players involved. Especially those players who hail from the state of Michigan.
On Monday, Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press talked with CMU head coach John Bonamego about the in-state matchup against the Spartans. There may not be a trophy on the line, but it’s easy to tell that Saturday’s matchup still means a lot.
“I think it means more to the in-state kids that are on both teams,” Bonamego said, according to Solari.
In games like this, it’s not uncommon for the in-state players to be matched about against old friends and high school rivals. It’s what gives these matchups something extra.
Additionally, Bonamego brought up the fact that Michigan State’s campus is closer to Central Michigan than MAC foes Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan. So there’s a bit of a geographical rivalry, as well.
Saturday’s matchup between the Chippewas and the Spartans won’t gain much national traction, but that doesn’t mean this game isn’t important.
There’s a lot on the line on both sides of the field.
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