Spartans to keep lips shut, ears open in preparation for Saturday's contest

The Spartans - lackluster in their first two games but dominant against Notre Dame - travel to Ann Arbor to take on in-state rival Michigan at noon Saturday.

Unlike many years, the Spartans and Wolverines each enter the game with 1-2 records. At stake: In-state bragging rights and a possible salvaging of a potentially dismal season.

AP PHOTO Michigan State isn't saying much about this week's matchup in Ann Arbor, indirect contrast to last year's trash talking. The Spartans hope that their actions on Saturday will speak for themselves.

"It's not just another game," Michigan State coach Nick Saban said yesterday.

"Seldom do you go through a day when you don't confront somebody that's on the other side, or for the other side. And even though we respect them and we respect their following of people, I think it's important for our players and our fans and our institution.

"This game's an important game. I'm sure they feel the same way about it because it is an in-state rivalry."

Michigan State opened the season with losses to Colorado State and Oregon, then stunned Notre Dame. Michigan lost to Notre Dame and Syracuse before rebounding last weekend against Eastern Michigan.

But don't expect any badmouthing of Michigan - at least from Saban. He knows better.

"I would most certainly hope that our players would show nothing but the ultimate respect for the University of Michigan, their coaches, their players and their team, and represent themselves that way," Saban said.

"I don't see any reason to talk trash relative to the other side, because talk is cheap and the game will be decided on the field."

"Tell me that hasn't happened yet," he almost begged reporters at his weekly news conference.

At least Bill Burke, the Michigan State quarterback, is firmly on board when it comes to respecting Michigan.

"Michigan is Michigan. It's going to be a formidable task," Burke said of the approaching game. "There's a tremendous amount of respect for each other."

And as for Saban, he has enough to worry about at home without putting down Michigan.

"We don't talk much or focus much on Michigan and how good they are or what they've accomplished and what they've done and all that, because really our focus is on what we can control here and what we can do here with our players," he said.

"We don't make a lot of comparisons relative to them."

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