Michigan State football: Defense embraces emotional control ahead of rivalry clash

Michigan State football is embracing emotional control ahead of Saturday’s rivalry clash with No. 25 Michigan.

As Saturday night inches closer, the Spartans find themselves at a crucial point in their season. After four straight losses, Michigan State football enters Week 9 with an opportunity to reclaim its glory, and put the season back on track.

During Wednesday’s media press conference, Spartans defensive coordinator Joe Rossi was asked about what the rivalry means to him in his second season.

“I’ve been in rivalries over the years. At Maine we played New Hampshire, Minnesota it was Wisconsin,” Rossi said. “But this game trumps them all.  It means more to the fans, means more to the players, and there’s just more edge to it. You don’t understand that truly until you play in the game.”

In terms of scheme fits and game planning, Rossi spoke about Michigan’s quarterback play being “more difficult” with Michigan having one quarterback and more solid QB play.

Michigan has started true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, the former No. 1 recruit in the class of 2025 through seven games. During last week’s game for the Wolverines against Washington, Underwood led Michigan to a 24-7 victory, while throwing for 230 passing yards, and two touchdowns.

Underwood’s first game against the Spartans in East Lansing will be a challenging environment. 

Spartan defensive lineman Jalen Thompson mentioned pressure being a key in the Spartans defensive plans every week, and said, “Everybody’s just focused on their jobs, winning the one-on-one down low.  When everybody does what they need to do, it puts pressure where it needs to be.”

Thompson also mentioned that the Spartans coaching staff has been reiterating talking points from former players and coaches to the team to help motivate them for Saturday night. One that stuck out to Thompson was Mark Dantonio’s message to his players, during his coaching stint at MSU.

“If you win this game, you get to walk the streets in your hometown, they have to walk in the alleys.”

A powerful message that still resonates with the Michigan State football program, years after Dantonio called it quits.

The Spartans continue their practice schedule to get ready for Saturday night, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.