Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith was asked at Big Ten Media Day about the MSU-Michigan rivalry and recent trash talk from Michigan players. Here’s what Smith had to say.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith is entering his second year with the MSU program, and he got acclimated to the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry with a 24-17 loss at Michigan Stadium.
In the days following the game, Smith spoke about his first taste of the rivalry.
“I think you just walk into the place, and there’s a genuine dislike,” Smith said last October . “And you could feel that from the get-go of pregame, from the crowd to the place, and then sharing the tunnel. And so that’s unique in a rivalry piece, to share that tunnel and be walking by these guys nonstop.”
At Big Ten Media Days on Thursday, Smith was asked if his awareness of the rivalry and what it means to both fan bases has grown since he first took the job in East Lansing.
“Experiencing it for the first time — Heightened. Aware. Call it bitterness. Passionate about that sucker. That’s a game I won’t soon forget,” Smith said.
Smith was also asked about recent comments made by Michigan defensive lineman Tre Williams that the Wolverines are going to take a belt to Michigan State’s behind. Smith noted that it’s something that will be mentioned once Michigan vs Michigan State nears on Oct. 25.
“Yeah, I’m sure that stuff gets brought up closer to game time,” Smith said.