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Payton Thorne, Harlon Barnett address chatter from Michigan ahead of rivalry clash in Week 9
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Payton Thorne and Harlon Barnett are hearing a lot of chatter from Michigan players ahead of the big rivalry game in Week 9. Michigan State (3-4) is set to go on the road in Week 9 to take on No. 4 Michigan (7-0).
Thorne has stated he has been hearing talk from Michigan players for two weeks but was brief in his response. Coach Barnett — the secondary coach for the Spartans — said this summer has been the first time he’s heard Michigan players say that defeating the Spartans was a priority this season.
Thorne asked if he's aware of things Michigan players have said the past two weeks: "Yeah, we are." That's it, the whole answer.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2022
Harlon Barnett holding back a lot today. Points out he's been a Spartan since 1985 and this past summer was the first time he heard someone at Michigan say that beating MSU was a priority
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 25, 2022
Michigan State has defeated Michigan in head-to-head matchups in each of the past two seasons. Last season, the Spartans defeated the Wolverines 37-33 thanks to a great performance from running back Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 197 yards and 5 touchdowns on 23 carries.
Despite Michigan State winning the last two matchups, Michigan holds a commanding 71-38-5 series lead.
We’ll see what’s in store this Saturday. It should be a raucous environment in Ann Arbor after the Big House hosted the rivalry without fans during the 2020 season.