Doug Karsch: A Critical Game For Dantonio
This is a hugely critical game for Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio who's accomplished something that hasn't happened since the 60's -- he beat Michigan three straight times. But this game is important for Dantonio to stem the "in state" momentum created by Brady Hoke and his staff.
The battle on-the-field is one thing, but the battle off-the-field and in the high schools around the state is the critical, under the radar, lifeblood of both programs. And right now Hoke has momentum.
Since his arrival in Ann Arbor less than a year ago, he has secured commitments from six of the state's top 10 recruits. Dantonio has two of the top 10.
Next years in-state top recruit, quarterback Shane Morris has all ready given Hoke a verbal.
Now Dantonio can still have a fine recruiting class and arguably has the state's top recruit in wide receiver Aaron Burbridge of Farmington Hills Harrison. But to slow Hoke's roll there is a certain amount of pressure on the head coach in East Lansing.
