Mel Tucker previews Michigan State’s big matchup with ‘that school down the road’

If you think Michigan State fans are fired up for this week’s game against Michigan, imagine how pumped Mel Tucker is.

Tucker met the media Monday afternoon ahead of the big showdown with “that school down the road.” It’s the first time No. 6 Michigan and No. 8 Michigan State are facing off as two undefeated teams, and it’ll have some huge B1G East implications.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has already said his team’s entering with an “elimination mindset,” which is basically what it’ll be. Whichever team wins will have at least a path to the B1G title game.

The Spartans are coming off a bye this week after hanging on to beat Indiana 20-15 in Week 7. The Hoosiers did a good job containing Kenneth Walker III, holding him to 84 yards and keeping him out of the end zone. It’s no stretch to say he’ll be the biggest key for Michigan State this week against Michigan.

Here’s what Tucker said in his “Monday with Mel” press conference:

Mel Tucker on LSU’s potential interest in him: “My focus is on the upcoming game vs. the school down the road.”

— Colton Pouncy 🌴 (@colton_pouncy) October 25, 2021

Mel Tucker: “We understand this is not just another game. We get that. …We need to eliminate distractions and focus on what really matters.”

— Colton Pouncy 🌴 (@colton_pouncy) October 25, 2021

No update from Tucker on the status of WR Ricky White and DB Michael Gravely

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 25, 2021

Tucker on what wins in a rivalry: "What prevails is execution … our focus is going to be eliminate the drama in our preparation."

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 25, 2021

More from Tucker on rivalry: "It's in your face every single day. … A day hasn't gone by where someone hasn't said something to me about this game."

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 25, 2021

Tucker on the amount of new players and learning about the rivalry: "We took are of that history lesson … for our newcomers. Took care of that this morning."

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 25, 2021

Mel Tucker: "We all know this is a big week and what this is all about, playing the school down the road for the Paul Bunyan Trophy."

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 25, 2021

Tucker called it "a very productive bye week." Says the focus now is preparing for U-M and "the pressure of the game."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Tucker says MSU fans have been great all season: "It's going to be an electric atmosphere, a capacity crowd, the student section is going to be packed. The Deep End will be in full effect, but we all know that."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

A reporter asks a terrible question to Tucker about the Michigan run game and how to defend it. "You want me to give the defensive game plan?" He says the goal is to make a team one-dimensional.

Terrible question, reporter, terrible question.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Tucker on the rivalry: "Obviously, it's bragging rights. And it's important to everyone who's associated with the game. People talk about it daily."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Tucker: "We recruit every day. It's not a one-man show here, obviously." Says MSU is "going after some very good players, and we're going to compete for those players, wherever they may be."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Tucker: "Recruits have taken notice of what we're doing, our culture, what we're doing on the field." Adds that helps get MSU "a lot of looks from all over the country. For me, it doesn't change my approach, it doesn't change our approach. We're working to get better."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Asked about Drew Beesley, Tucker says "I don't have an update on him. He'll be ready when he's ready."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Tucker on blocking out noise: "It really depends on the individual person, because everyone is affected differently." Says coaches give players "the answers to the test every single day" in the football building. "Our voices have to be louder than the voices outside."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Mel Tucker: "We all know this is a big week and what this is all about, playing the school down the road for the Paul Bunyan Trophy."

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 25, 2021

Tucker: "You can't assume (players) know. You can't assume that they're gonna stay focused. We have to help them – this is how you focus, this is what you need to focus on, this is what's important right now, this is what's important today. This is what preparation looks like."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021

Tucker: "Technically they all count one. But in rivalry games, it means a little bit more. It means a lot more."

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 25, 2021