Michigan State first-year head coach Mel Tucker is ready for his first taste of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry this Saturday when the Spartans travel to Ann Arbor.
Tucker is going all-in when it comes to the rivalry and the hate the Spartans have for the Wolverines by referring to Michigan as “the team down the road.
” During a media session on Tuesday, Tucker made it clear that he wouldn’t be calling Michigan by its name, at least not this week.Maybe he’s taking a play out of Ohio State’s playbook as the Buckeyes refer to Michigan as ‘The Team Up North.’
Tucker’s tenure at Michigan State got off to a horrific start on Saturday as Rutgers came to East Lansing and beat the Spartans 38-27. While Michigan State has beaten Michigan four out of the last seven matchups, the Wolverines have won the past two meetings in East Lansing.
Tucker was a graduate assistant at Michigan State under Nick Saban in 1997 and 1998, so he does have a bit of experience on the sidelines of this rivalry, but it’s likely going to be a steep uphill battle for Michigan State on Halloween afternoon.
