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The state of Michigan is certainly well-represented atop the Big Ten this year, with both programs in the conference currently ranked top 10 nationally.
In two weeks, Michigan (6-0) will play at Michigan State (6-0) in a game that might well decide the Big Ten. And the common denominator between the two programs is that they both played Rutgers in recent weeks.
Three weeks ago, Rutgers narrowly lost to Michigan, 20-13. And this past weekend, Rutgers lost 31-13 in a game where the Scarlet Knights led 7-0 and trailed the Spartans 14-13 midway through the second quarter.
Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz was asked about which of the state’s programs is better.
“That’s hard to say, depends which game you’re talking about, the only criteria you can use to evaluate is they both played Rutgers. Now, Michigan beat Rutgers 20 to 13, and Michigan State demolished Rutgers,” Holtz said on ‘The Crowd’s Line.’
“Now what we have to do we have to look and say this a little bit different Michigan State team. There was a time where Michigan State was great on defense, not particularly explosive on offense. That’s not the case here- this Michigan State football team is for real. I had overlooked in preseason; I didn’t think it’d be that good. But they have a receiver, a running back. I think that you have to remember also, Michigan State and beaten Michigan almost every year since Jim Harbaugh’s been there so this is a big game for Michigan.
“I think it’ll be a great game. I’m looking forward to it but right now I couldn’t tell you which was better to date.”
Holtz does a weekly series of videos on the social media platform ‘The Crowd’s Line’ along with former Pitt and NFL offensive lineman Mark May. Holtz is a former ESPN analyst who had a storied coach as a career with stops at Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, and most notably with Notre Dame.