Mel Tucker says Michigan State making practice 'uncomfortable' to prepare for crowd noise

Michigan State will be looking to secure their first road victory if the season this weekend as they take on No. 4 ranked rival Michigan. For some of the Spartans players, it will be their first time in the Big House, one of college football’s most hostile environments. Michigan Stadium is a tough place to replicate, but Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker has been doing his best to get his team acclimated throughout the week.

“We’ll use crowd noise in practice, we’ll show them videos, we’ll make it uncomfortable for them at practice and in the meetings so that they’re not overwhelmed when they get to the game,” Tucker said.

The Spartans have had their fair share of struggles this season, but are fresh off of their first conference victory last week as they defeated Wisconsin at home 34-28.

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And the undefeated Wolverines may be 22.5 point favorites in Saturday’s matchup, but Tucker has not lost to them since he took over as the Spartans head coach, maintaining a perfect 2-0 record against the maize and blue.

The Spartans definitely have their work cut out for them as they take on the Big Ten’s most effective rushing attack and one of the nation’s top defenses this weekend, but hopefully, Tucker has the team not only ready to face their opponent, but the elements and environment as well.

Mel Tucker details what upsetting Michigan requires

Mel Tucker will take Michigan State on the hunt for a big win this weekend when they head to Ann Arbor to face No. 4 Michigan. The Spartans sit at 3-4 on the season and victory over the Wolverines would go a long way in changing the outlook of their year.

Tucker discussed what it would take from the Spartans to win in The Big House during his press conference earlier this week. He says they can’t treat it any differently than their other games and that they’ll need to have come together to get it done.

“I mean we’re preparing to go down there and play a game. What does that take? It takes intentional focus, it takes toughness, discipline, being selfless. That’s what it takes,” said Tucker. “Whether you want to call it circling the wagons, bunker mentality, taking them to the mattresses, us against the world, or whatever you want to call it, it is what it is. Nothing’s changed. It’s always gonna be that way.”

Tucker got a massive victory over Michigan this time last year during his second season in East Lansing. The Spartans started the season 8-0 after they hosted and defeated the Wolverines 37-33. It was led by an incredible performance from Kenneth Walker III as the former Spartan back rushed for 197 yards and five touchdowns in the win.

This game will be much different, though, as it won’t be the Top-10 matchup it was a year ago. With the Spartans in desperate need of a win, pulling the major upset on the fourth-ranked Wolverines might save Michigan State’s season in a sense. Still, Tucker wants his team to focus on what matters and, if they do that, they can hunker down and earn a major win for their 2022 campaign.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report