Michigan State's Kirk Cousins doesn't know what strategy his coaches will use with the two quarterbacks Saturday against Michigan.
He said he believes, however, that he will start the game, just as he started the first four games.
"I would be surprised," Cousins said when asked what he'd think if he didn't start. "I feel like I've played well, minus probably three or four plays. I would be surprised, yeah."
Judging by coach Mark Dantonio's decision making the past four games, Cousins likely will start and play most of the game, with Keith Nichol seeing limited time.
"I think certainly part of my game is just providing a spark maybe when it's needed, and hopefully that's something I bring on Saturday," Nichol said.
But when to play Nichol is a tough question.
Against Wisconsin, for example, Cousins tied the game at 7 early in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to Mark Dell. The Badgers responded with a touchdown drive and took a 14-7 lead. Instead of bringing back Cousins, the Spartans opted to insert Nichol into the game, and he threw an interception on the third play.
Wisconsin scored on its subsequent series and took a 21-7 lead.
On Tuesday, Cousins was asked about such disruptions in rhythm, and if it hurt his performance.
"It is tough to get a rhythm sometimes when you're going in and out of the game," Cousins said. "As I said before, it's not the ideal situation to score, establish a rhythm, feel like you've got something going and then not be in there. But again it's the coaches -- it's their call."
Dantonio disputed the rhythm remarks.
"If you look at the first three games, we gave each quarterback an opportunity to get into rhythm," he said. "Notre Dame a little bit less maybe, but we still had a couple series there to get going when we talk about Keith. This past game maybe it wasn't quite as evident, but we still give both guys opportunities, and I don't think that it'll be any different."
Both players have tried to give positive answers when asked about the quarterback rotation -- a topic that's stretching into its sixth month if one counts spring practice.
Cousins said he's frustrated, but not with the fact that he hasn't secured the No. 1 spot.
"I'm frustrated with losing," he said. "I'm not a person who wants to go 1-3. That's unacceptable. Losing is unacceptable, and that ticks me off, and I'm frustrated with that.
"This feeling that I have now, this feeling that I've had the past three weeks is terrible, and I don't ever want to feel it again, so I'm going to keep working and keep pushing. I want to make it clear to the coaches that I need to be out there playing for this team to win."
He said he believes, however, that he will start the game, just as he started the first four games.
"I would be surprised," Cousins said when asked what he'd think if he didn't start. "I feel like I've played well, minus probably three or four plays. I would be surprised, yeah."
Judging by coach Mark Dantonio's decision making the past four games, Cousins likely will start and play most of the game, with Keith Nichol seeing limited time.
"I think certainly part of my game is just providing a spark maybe when it's needed, and hopefully that's something I bring on Saturday," Nichol said.
But when to play Nichol is a tough question.
Against Wisconsin, for example, Cousins tied the game at 7 early in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to Mark Dell. The Badgers responded with a touchdown drive and took a 14-7 lead. Instead of bringing back Cousins, the Spartans opted to insert Nichol into the game, and he threw an interception on the third play.
Wisconsin scored on its subsequent series and took a 21-7 lead.
On Tuesday, Cousins was asked about such disruptions in rhythm, and if it hurt his performance.
"It is tough to get a rhythm sometimes when you're going in and out of the game," Cousins said. "As I said before, it's not the ideal situation to score, establish a rhythm, feel like you've got something going and then not be in there. But again it's the coaches -- it's their call."
Dantonio disputed the rhythm remarks.
"If you look at the first three games, we gave each quarterback an opportunity to get into rhythm," he said. "Notre Dame a little bit less maybe, but we still had a couple series there to get going when we talk about Keith. This past game maybe it wasn't quite as evident, but we still give both guys opportunities, and I don't think that it'll be any different."
Both players have tried to give positive answers when asked about the quarterback rotation -- a topic that's stretching into its sixth month if one counts spring practice.
Cousins said he's frustrated, but not with the fact that he hasn't secured the No. 1 spot.
"I'm frustrated with losing," he said. "I'm not a person who wants to go 1-3. That's unacceptable. Losing is unacceptable, and that ticks me off, and I'm frustrated with that.
"This feeling that I have now, this feeling that I've had the past three weeks is terrible, and I don't ever want to feel it again, so I'm going to keep working and keep pushing. I want to make it clear to the coaches that I need to be out there playing for this team to win."
