Just about a year ago, when the Michigan football team marched into East Lansing and annihilated Michigan State, it sent a crystal clear message about the state of each program.
For the Wolverines, the 49-0 beatdown was a mere stepping stone in their historic ascension — one that culminated in a perfect record and National Championship. For the Spartans, it was the fifth of six straight losses during a 4-8 season riddled with internal issues.
Last year, Michigan was trending up and Michigan State was trending down. This year, the roles have reversed.
Both teams underwent a significant roster and coaching staff overhaul this past offseason. The Wolverines had 13 players drafted, losing their quarterback, entire offensive line, leading running back and top wide receivers, just to name a few. They also lost their head coach to the NFL, along with their defensive coordinator, strength and conditioning coach and more. When all was said and done, only a single Michigan coaching position stayed the same from 2023 to 2024.
The Spartans, similarly, have 61 new players on their team this season. They lost almost 20 scholarship players to the transfer portal while bringing in about the same amount. Michigan State also hired an entirely new coaching staff, with the most notable being former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith.
So, one might say both programs are in the midst of a rebuilding year — but the Wolverines are tumbling down, while the Spartans are climbing up.
“Obviously not happy with the record, not happy with the losses,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said Monday, when asked how he would evaluate the current state of his program. “Really, I just want our kids to be in a good place mentally and spiritually. So that’s where we are. We’re 4-3, but our job now is to get better, to be 5-3 this week.”
While Michigan State is also 4-3, that record means something very different for the Spartans than it does for the Wolverines. With five games left in the regular season, Michigan State has already matched its 2023 win total.
In stark contrast to Michigan’s post-bye week collapse against Illinois, the Spartans looked rejuvenated last weekend coming out of their own bye week, earning a sound 32-20 win over Iowa. Once again, even on a smaller scale, the Wolverines are trending down while their in-state foe is trending up.
And as a result of the diverging trajectories between each program, Saturday’s rivalry showdown means something different for each team. Of course, at its core, it’s a ‘State Championship’ game that will always give the winners notorious bragging rights and the iconic Paul Bunyan Trophy. This year, though, there’s even more at stake.
For Michigan, it’s a chance to salvage part of an otherwise bleak season, especially with three top-15 — two of which are top-five — matchups left on the docket. For Michigan State, it’s a chance to avenge last year’s drubbing and drive home a new message about the state of each program.
“We understand when (the Spartans) come here on Saturday, what they’re trying to do, what they’re trying to accomplish,” wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy said Wednesday. “We have to meet that intensity and then surpass it.”
A lot has changed since last season’s one-sided affair in East Lansing. Heading into Saturday’s rematch in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines and Spartans are now veering down opposite paths — from each other, and from where they both were a year ago.
The post Michigan-Michigan State, a tale of two rivals trending in opposite directions appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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