The Michigan State Spartans (7) have owned their rivalry with the Michigan Wolverines (12) lately, but they seem to be losing their grip before the opening kick of this year's game.
Thanks to three consecutive shutouts and two straight games allowing seven points a game before that, Michigan is favored against their higher ranked in-state opponent at home. Despite the hype surrounding the suddenly recharged rivalry, the coach responsible for Michigan's quick turnaround is downplaying the game.
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"I'm sure there's gonna be attempts to build the game up, etc.," Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh said at his weekly press conference. "But we're working, and not worrying. Have a chance to hear what's out there, but we've just been going about our business.
"Winning the next game is the goal," he said. "That's the most important thing. There's nothing more important than that."
Michigan State has won six of its last seven games against Michigan, though the latter holds the advantage in the all-time series by a large margin, 68-34. But with all the prestige surround Michigan and the recent decline of the program, it is understandable why the fans' enthusiasm is seemingly reaching a fever pitch.
"For them to pitch three straight shutouts, that's hard to do in college football, doesn't matter who you are, doesn't matter who you are playing," Spartans quarterback Connor Cook told reporters. "We're looking forward to going into there and playing against a defense like that, because you want to play against the best."
