Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio doesn't need to remind his team of 1991-92, when the Spartans dropped back-to-back games to Central Michigan, to ensure MSU doesn't underestimate the Chippewas this time around.
The here-and-now is more than enough.
"I remember when that happened, but our focus is on now and what we have to do," Dantonio said. "To take them lightly would be a very big mistake."
There is little chance CMU will come into Spartan Stadium in awe of anything, even if the game is expected to be a sellout. The Chippewas hung with Arizona last week before losing 19-6.
The Wildcats outgained CMU 448-182, but the Chippewas remained within striking distance.
"I think they'll get right back on track," Dantonio said. "I think they'll do the things they've done to allow them to be successful.
"Down in Arizona, there was a lightning delay of 45 minutes, so they started at almost 11 o'clock Eastern time. I'm sure that threw them off a little bit. They just weren't quite in rhythm."
Despite missing a field-goal attempt in the third quarter, CMU trailed by just 10 points early in the fourth.
"A lot of situations could have gone the other way for them," Dantonio said. "Arizona did a nice job defending them, but they made a game of it. And I thought Arizona looked pretty good and pretty athletic."
Dantonio was vague when he discussed MSU's quarterback situation. He would not commit toward starting Kirk Cousins for the second consecutive game, or giving Keith Nichol his first career start.
"We're not going to sit here every week and say, 'This guy's the starter and this guy's not,' " Dantonio said. "Whatever gives us the chance to win is what we're going to do. Both of those guys played very well."
Dantonio was more definite about his concern over defending CMU senior Dan LeFevour, who is regarded as one of the nation's top quarterbacks.
"He has seen every defense, he has seen every (defensive) front, he has seen every blitz and he's very proficient at what he does," Dantonio said. "They should be a very exciting team to watch offensively."
Dantonio also noted that several CMU players, especially those from Michigan who did not receive a scholarship offer from Michigan State, might have added incentive playing against the Spartans.
"I'm sure there's (extra motivation) for them and for us as well," Dantonio said. "Any time you know they guy playing across from you personally, and many of our guys do, I think it makes it a little more emotional.
"I've been in their situation. You go in with a chip on your shoulder a little bit and thinking, 'This is my opportunity.' They've played in big games before, but this is an in-state game, and that makes it a little more significant."
Nichol in the dark about Saturday's starter
Last week, Nichol had a hunch Cousins would start because, with everything else being equal, Cousins had more experience in an MSU uniform.
Nichol is not getting much of a vibe this week.
"I have no clue this time," he said after practice. "I have no idea what they're going to do."
Cousins also wouldn't hazard a guess on who will start against CMU.
"I've learned to not have expectations, because when you do, they often don't turn out that way," Cousins said. "I don't try to predict the future."
The here-and-now is more than enough.
"I remember when that happened, but our focus is on now and what we have to do," Dantonio said. "To take them lightly would be a very big mistake."
There is little chance CMU will come into Spartan Stadium in awe of anything, even if the game is expected to be a sellout. The Chippewas hung with Arizona last week before losing 19-6.
The Wildcats outgained CMU 448-182, but the Chippewas remained within striking distance.
"I think they'll get right back on track," Dantonio said. "I think they'll do the things they've done to allow them to be successful.
"Down in Arizona, there was a lightning delay of 45 minutes, so they started at almost 11 o'clock Eastern time. I'm sure that threw them off a little bit. They just weren't quite in rhythm."
Despite missing a field-goal attempt in the third quarter, CMU trailed by just 10 points early in the fourth.
"A lot of situations could have gone the other way for them," Dantonio said. "Arizona did a nice job defending them, but they made a game of it. And I thought Arizona looked pretty good and pretty athletic."
Dantonio was vague when he discussed MSU's quarterback situation. He would not commit toward starting Kirk Cousins for the second consecutive game, or giving Keith Nichol his first career start.
"We're not going to sit here every week and say, 'This guy's the starter and this guy's not,' " Dantonio said. "Whatever gives us the chance to win is what we're going to do. Both of those guys played very well."
Dantonio was more definite about his concern over defending CMU senior Dan LeFevour, who is regarded as one of the nation's top quarterbacks.
"He has seen every defense, he has seen every (defensive) front, he has seen every blitz and he's very proficient at what he does," Dantonio said. "They should be a very exciting team to watch offensively."
Dantonio also noted that several CMU players, especially those from Michigan who did not receive a scholarship offer from Michigan State, might have added incentive playing against the Spartans.
"I'm sure there's (extra motivation) for them and for us as well," Dantonio said. "Any time you know they guy playing across from you personally, and many of our guys do, I think it makes it a little more emotional.
"I've been in their situation. You go in with a chip on your shoulder a little bit and thinking, 'This is my opportunity.' They've played in big games before, but this is an in-state game, and that makes it a little more significant."
Nichol in the dark about Saturday's starter
Last week, Nichol had a hunch Cousins would start because, with everything else being equal, Cousins had more experience in an MSU uniform.
Nichol is not getting much of a vibe this week.
"I have no clue this time," he said after practice. "I have no idea what they're going to do."
Cousins also wouldn't hazard a guess on who will start against CMU.
"I've learned to not have expectations, because when you do, they often don't turn out that way," Cousins said. "I don't try to predict the future."
