Jonathan Smith appreciative of rivalry with Michigan as he takes over at Michigan State

It would not be an introductory press conference without a little rivalry talk. When newly hired Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith was giving his opening remarks, he mentioned the Michigan Wolverines but not in a way to fire either fanbase up. No, Smith took a little bit of a different route.

“Let’s face it, there is an in-state rivalry,” Smith said. “I appreciate in-state rivalries. I think those things are meaningful. It’s a great thing about college football to have a rivalry like that… That will mean a ton.”

Smith has not experienced Michigan-Michigan State in his career. He played college football at Oregon State and then to this point, all of his coaching career has been in the Pacific Northwest. The specific rivalry between the Wolverines and Spartans is not something Smith is familiar with.

He does have a history of participating in those fierce in-state battles, though. Leaving Oregon State in favor of Michigan State, Smith went to battle against Oregon on a daily basis. Not just on the field the Saturday following Thanksgiving. But also when recruiting and trying to close down state borders.

In six games against the Ducks, Smith was able to record just two wins. One of them came in 2022 and ended Oregon’s chances of making the College Football Playoff, though. Both wins were in front of the home crowd as well, defending home turf well in the Civil War.

Go back even a step further when Smith was the Washington offensive coordinator — the Apple Cup against Washington State is a pretty good rivalry. Smith might have specific experience with Michgian-Michigan State but he sure does know the importance of beating an in-state foe and how seriously fans date the matchup.

Michigan State looking to bounce back in rivalry with Michigan

Michigan State has lost two straight against Michigan, with this year’s contest being the program’s worst rivalry loss since around World War II. The Spartans got blanked in East Lansing, losing 49-0, amid controversy surrounding Mel Tucker and his firing.

Smith will certainly be walking into a tough situation. His own program needs a rebuild while Michigan is currently in a third consecutive College Football Playoff. Whether it’s fair or not, the two are always going to be compared.

Oct. 26 will be Smith’s first shot at Michigan, traveling to the Big House. Based on how Smith spoke about the rivalry during his introductory press conference, a lot of emphasis will be put on finding a way to get a win vs. the Wolverines.