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Niyo: Second straight win over Spartans brings contentment to Patterson, Harbaugh

Matt Charboneau and John Niyo of The Detroit News talk about Michigan State's fifth straight loss, this one to rival Michigan. Matt Charboneau, The Detroit News

Ann Arbor — The coach and the quarterback met near midfield for a lengthy chat before the final play. But the conversation Jim Harbaugh had with Shea Patterson was about a different kind of strategy.

Michigan was putting the finishing touches on a 44-10 pummeling of Michigan State — the most lopsided result in this in-state rivalry in 17 years — and Harbaugh simply wanted to make sure his senior quarterback knew what to do with 17 seconds left on the clock.