Last year, Michigan State head football coach Jonathan Smith was clearly taken aback by the intensity of the Spartans' annual rivalry game against Michigan.
Michigan State folded in the second half to lose its third consecutive matchup with the Wolverines, and Smith noted that he hadn't properly prepared his team for what they were facing, citing inexperience with the nature and nuances of the rivalry.
"Leading into it, I knew it was an importan rivalry..." Smith said following the 24-17 loss. "But now, truly experiencing it for the first time, that thing is different, that thing is important, and thet's why it's so frustrating to feel like we could've done a few thigns better.