Michigan State coach Harlon Barnett on Ohio State: 'They're beatable guys just like anybody else'

COLUMBUS — No. 1 Ohio State is getting a Michigan State team that has been put through a wringer this season. Between the firing of head coach Mel Tucker and a six-game losing streak, the Spartans have made all the wrong headlines in 2023.

They did, however, snap their skid last week against Nebraska. And interim head coach Harlon Barnett — a Michigan State alum, former NFLer and longtime Spartans assistant — is trying to instill positive energy into the program.

His Spartans have already faced two top-10 teams this season: Washington and Michigan. They were outscored 90-7 in those games.

He’s hoping for a better result this time around, and he’s confident his guys can get it. After all, Barnett has been part of Michigan State upset wins over the Buckeyes before.

Here’s what he said about the matchup earlier this week.

Barnett’s introductory statement about facing Ohio State…

BARNETT: “We look forward to playing a really good Ohio State team, another top-10 team that we’ll be playing, our third one this season. So we look forward to the challenge and going down to Columbus.”

How good did last weekend feel to get a win, and how much energy was in that locker room?

BARNETT: “It feels really good. Winning does a lot. It heals a lot of wounds and pain. But the energy in the locker room was outstanding. Everybody was excited and happy and joyful. So it was good to see those guys having fun for a change in a while. So it was great.”

How do you carry that momentum into a game versus a really talented Ohio State team?

BARNETT: “Well, I told them in today’s team meeting, we want to keep the positive energy going. And so that’s what we want: positive energy at all times, from everybody — coaches, staff, support staff, training room weight, room, positive energy. This is how you’re going to keep it going. And your body language speaks of negative or positive energy. So we’re going to have great body language, positive body language. And there’s a quote that I heard out there before. It says be positive or be quiet. So that’s what we’re gonna be this week. And moving forward.”

As a coach, you know what it’s like to go down to Ohio State and win a game that you’re not favored in. What are some of the things this team needs to do this week, beyond just being positive?

BARNETT: “Great attention to detail. You got to have great attention to detail. … We can’t beat ourselves. So great attention to detail will help us not beat ourselves and get those costly penalties. So give ourselves a chance. Don’t help them beat us, make them beat us. Have them earn the right to beat us. And so that’s what we got to start. And then we move from there. But great attention to detail is always going to be a major factor. And that great attention to detail means doing your job, playing with great discipline, great eye control and great physicality.”

What differences do you see in this Ohio State team compared to years past? Is the defense carrying them more this time around?

BARNETT: “I see what you see (Barnett then chuckled). No, they’re a good team. They always get a lot of great talent down there. Marvin Harrison is an outstanding football player, and they have others as well. So they’re not lacking for talent — offense, defense or anywhere. So we got to go down there and, like I said, have great attention to detail and make sure we’re going to execute on every chance and opportunity we have to execute.”

Do you see Ohio State as more like Washington with the high-powered passing attack or Michigan with physicality?

BARNETT: “I see them as a mixture, I guess you can say. They’re a little bit of both. They can throw it around, obviously. Different quarterback at Washington than Ohio State. Little bit different, [Michael Penix’s] been the quarterback there for a while longer. He understands their offense probably better and more experienced. But it’s kind of a combination of the two.”

How do you hope to contain Marvin Harrison Jr.?

BARNETT: “I can’t tell you that. But I will say this. He’s a really good football player, and we know that. That’s what I’ll say.”

You’ve talked about not beating yourselves. But is there anything else you’ve learned in those two games against top-10 opponents that you can take into this week?

BARNETT: “The main thing, as far as penalties and beating ourselves, I told our guys that we were a younger team, especially when we played Washington, and inexperienced. But now that’s no longer an excuse, if you want to call it an excuse. We got a lot of guys that have got a lot of time here this year, played a lot of football. So now we got to go out and execute. And, again, have really good attention to detail and perform under that type of situation by playing Ohio State, a top-10 team. So I think our guys, I’m hoping they’ve learned and got that experience and feel comfortable and confident when they go out there on Saturday to go get the job done.”

We’ve talked about Marvin Harrison Jr., but what’s this challenge like for your young defensive backs facing this Ohio State receiving corps?

BARNETT: “They’re past the young stage now. So it’s gonna be a great challenge. It’ll be another great experience to play against a top-10 team. And I look forward to it. You know, I tell them guys all the time, this is why they come to play college football if you’re a competitor. And so competitors will be out there for us on Saturday and having fun and going to get the job done.”

In the last seven games against Ohio State, Michigan State has been outscored, 282-74. Is it first just important to make this game competitive again? And I imagine a fast start is part of that?

BARNETT: “With the last seven games, I’m going to tell you where my mind goes. Let’s go back to 2012, we should’ve won, had a scoop-and-score that was called back, it was a bad call, should’ve been a touchdown, it was a close game. In 2013, we won. Fourteen (2014), should’ve won, they called a touchdown back when we should’ve been leading at halftime. Fifteen (2015) we won down there. Sixteen (2016) we should’ve won here, close game. That’s where my mind goes. I know what it is to go down, compete and play hard against these guys. They’re beatable guys just like anybody else, we’re going to go down with the mindset to go attack them and get a win. That’s my mindset, it will never change. I said last week, somebody mentioned spoiler, I’m like, ‘that’s a scrub mentality,’ that has never been my mentality and it will never be.”