Where is the threat? MSU no match for Michigan on the field, recruiting trail

Michigan pummeled Michigan State at The Big House on Saturday night. A 29-7 victory was expected for the Wolverines. Nevertheless, it ended a two-game series win streak for the Spartans and signified a turn in the rivalry.

While the Michigan-Michigan State matchup has been even over the last half a dozen years (3-3 record), U-M is in a position to dominate moving forward. The Wolverines are coming off a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff appearance and have a chance to do the same this season.

On the flip side of the coin, Michigan State fans are already calling for Mel Tucker’s head. MSU’s success last year was nothing more than a flash in the pan after it lucked into Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III. The Spartans are 3-5 this season and may not go bowling.

These are two programs trending in two VERY different directions — both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Michigan State started off this cycle with a bang, landing a number of highly ranked prospects. The Spartans touted NIL, had recruits pose with flashy cars and made a gimmicky hire in pass rushing specialist Brandon Jordan, who had no college coaching experience. It worked… until it didn’t.

MSU is slowly dropping down the rankings. In fact, the Spartans have lost four commitments since the beginning of July, including two last month. More are sure to follow, especially considering Michigan State’s poor results on the field.

On the flip side of the coin, Michigan had a slow start to the cycle. The Wolverines endured a chaotic offseason and have refused to enter murky NIL waters, instead selling a transformational process. However, U-M is starting to get its mojo back. The Wolverines hosted four 2023 On300 prospects over the weekend, including former MSU wide receiver commit Demetrius Bell. Another strong close is very much a possibility.

Looking ahead, Michigan is poised for a special 2024 class. The Wolverines lead with elite quarterback Jadyn Davis and had a number of other Top 100 prospects on campus, including wide receiver Ryan Wingo, defensive lineman Justin Scott, tight end Brady Prieskorn and cornerback Bryce West.

Michigan routinely beats up on MSU on the recruiting trail and should have no issue doing that moving forward — both nationally and close to home.

Remember when MSU fans believed Tucker would dominate in-state recruiting? That seems like so long ago. The negative narrative surrounding Michigan has faded, and the Spartans have lost momentum in their own backyard. Tucker didn’t even bother to show up to the annual Sound Mind Sound Body mega event in June —  Jim Harbaugh and James Franklin made it a point to not only speak but reinforce that they are invested in recruiting the state of Michigan.

In recent cycles, U-M took Andrel Anthony from East Lansing, flipped Rayshaun Benny and won over five-star level recruits Donovan Edwards and Will Johnson — both never even looked MSU’s way. Simply put, Michigan should beat out Michigan State for whoever it wants in-state on a yearly basis.

Next cycle, Michigan is already trending for the state’s No. 1 ranked prospect in the aforementioned  Prieskorn and may even have an edge for On300 linebacker Jeremiah Beasley, whose half-brother, Maliq Carr, plays for Michigan State.

So where is the threat? There is none. Michigan State will soon be irrelevant.