Excitement builds as big game nears

Regardless of records, MSU rivalry 'bitter'

The talk this week has been about the tradition, the rivalry and the bitterness.

Michigan and Michigan State mix together about as well as oil and water, and the animosity between the two teams and their fans has been the week-long focus leading up to tomorrow's game at Spartan Stadium at 12:30 p.m.

There's also been talk about the hope that this would be a game between two undefeated teams, both ranked in the top 25, both looking to grab a lead in the Rose Bowl race, both looking to secure state bragging rights.

That hope died last week when No. 15 Michigan State (2-1 Big Ten, 5-1 overall) fell to Northwestern, 19-17. But after the initial disappointment subsided, the talk returned to the intrastate rivalry - how a Michigan win would destroy the Spartans' R

PAUL TALANIAN/Daily Chris Miller (left), an Engineering junior, changes the game day countdown while LSA junior Andy Yosowitz (center) and Engineering junior Bill Reeves (right) watch. Many students view the intrastate rivalry as serious business.

ose Bowl chances and how a Spartan win would keep things interesting in the conference.

The players have been saying many of the same things.

Michigan quarterback Brian Griese: "We've been waiting awhile to play this game. It doesn't matter (if Michigan State isn't undefeated) for this game; you throw the records out the window. This is the first really big rivalry in the season. A lot of people call us rivals, but this one is bitter."

Michigan tailback Clarence Williams: "This game is annually marked off on our schedule."

Michigan linebacker Sam Sword: "Look for an all-out war. This is the game we've been looking forward to since the summer."

Putting such talk aside, the focus is shifting to the game at hand, to the strategies and especially to the defenses that could single-handedly dictate which way the game sways.

Amidst all the talk remains the fact that the fifth-ranked Wolverines (3-0, 6-0) and the Spartans are almost defensive equals, and that should be what the game comes down to tomorrow.

Michigan State has the best rushing defense in the Big Ten, giving up just 64 yards, and Michigan is a close second (68.2).

Michigan is tops in the conference in scoring defense (5.2 points); Michigan State is second (10.8).

Michigan is first in passing defense (143.6) and Michigan State is fifth (198.4).

Michigan has the second-best total defense in the nation (207.7) while Michigan State is ranked 12th overall (279.0).

The Spartans' defense starts with linebacker Ike Reese. He leads the Spartans in total tackles with 53 and has 2 1/2 sacks for six lost yards this season. Throw in defensive end Robaire Smith and defensive tackle Desmond Thomas, to name a few, and the Spartans have their stifling rush defense.

"They have a great defense," Williams said. "They have great linebackers. Ike Reese is very aggressive. I don't think that's changed our game plan. We're still going to try to run the football."

The Spartans' rush defense could give Michigan's ground game fits, which has struggled with inconsistency this season. It is not helped by running back Chris Howard's situation. He suffered a rib injury in last week's game against Iowa and may still be feeling the effects tomorrow.

However, the Spartans will have to deal with the possible loss of starting defensive end Dimitrius Underwood. He is listed as questionable by Michigan State coach Nick Saban after suffering a knee injury last Saturday.

The Spartans' solid secondary may also take a hit if junior cornerback Amp Campbell can't play. Saban said Campbell, too, is questionable after re-aggravating a hamstring injury and hurting his shoulder against the Wildcats.

If the Wolverines struggle offensively, like they did for much of last week's game against the Hawkeyes, they can look to their defense to bail them out.

The defense has been stellar week in and week out, and had one of its best performances of the season last week, despite the final score.

10-24-97