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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The moment that Michigan finished its win at Maryland, the team turned its attention directly to rival Michigan State, even if there was a waiting period of two weeks before the teams would actually face off against one another.
Sitting at a table in a small cramped room, Wolverines hybrid linebacker Josh Uche noted that the maize and blue already had the Spartans on the mind, a notion which quarterback Shea Patterson, seated next to him, nodded in affirmation.
But Michigan had a bye week, so how did the team handle it?
“Take a day or two to kinda relax – still watched all the games over the weekend,” Patterson said. “We had two or three good practices last week, and I think that carried over today. We had a really good one today.”
Given that the bye week is generally called ‘improvement week,’ and with two giant games remaining on the schedule, how did Patterson feel he, personally improved?
He pinpointed one area, and it’s something that fans have wanted to see all season long, where he particularly excelled down the stretch a year ago.
“I think maybe running, running a little bit more,” Patterson said. “Even if it’s not a designed run. If it’s a dropback pass, and you see a lane, just getting out and making something happen with your legs.”
But why is this ability to run emerging now?
We’ve seen it in small doses — starting late against Illinois and again against Penn State and Notre Dame. But the lack of Patterson keeping the ball and using his feet had to do with the injury he sustained on the very first play from scrimmage this season. While he did get healthier as the season went on, he insists that now he’s the healthiest he’s been.
“Just a little banged up earlier in the season,” Patterson said. “Just doing what I can do. Whatever I can do to help the team, I think. None of it’s really changed, just starting to execute more, and being a little more healthy.”
We’ll see if that plays dividends, especially given MSU’s proclivity at stopping the run — though, the Spartans have not been quite as stout as anticipated coming into the season.
Regardless, while Patterson says it’s not the chippiest rivalry, it’s certainly up there when it comes to intensity.
“I mean, it’s definitely the most intense,” he said. “Both sides of the ball, they’re gonna get our best game and we’re gonna get theirs. I think, the way they’re season’s going, they still have a lot to play for. They’re playing for their coach, they’re playing for the fans, they’re playing for that logo on their chest. We’re doing the same. I think it’s gonna be a well-fought game.”
The Wolverines and Spartans are set to face off on Saturday at The Big House, with kickoff slated for noon EST. The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
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