With a different Big Ten school losing a player to suspension seemingly every week so far in this young season, it’s clear that the conference is trying to promote seven letters: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
And with an intense in-state rivalry game occurring tomorrow between Michigan and Michigan State, it’s a topic worth discussing. Although, I must admit, I had to laugh when I read this:
“It’s just the total lack of respect they have for our school in general. We’re always taught, as Spartans, to respect our opponent, and the lack of respect they have (for MSU) is just sickening. They think we’re beneath them.”
The person behind the quote is Michigan State defensive end Trevor Anderson. The “they” he refers to are, of course, the Michigan Wolverines.
Anderson is from Detroit, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he understands the rivalry even though he started his college career at Cincinnati and this is only his second season as a Spartan. In fact, given the inferiority complex exemplified by his quotes, it’s not even an assumption — it’s pretty clear he understands what Michigan-Michigan State is all about.
Anyway, what caught me eye about this particular quote was this: “We’re always taught, as Spartans, to respect our opponent.”
I know this happened in 2005, before Anderson, head coach Mark Dantonio, or perhaps any of the current MSU players were part of the team. But still.
The Sportswriting of Andrew Kahn 
I was at that MSU-ND game and was stunned that MSU planted their flag in the ND field.The only way for MSU to get RESPECT from Michigan is to not just beat Michigan but win the Big Ten Title too. Beating USC in the Rose Bowl can help to.Local Virginia Tech radio pundits have been complaining that FSU and Miami get overhyped more than Virginia Tech. Miami and FSU have won championships in recent history whereas VT has not. The best way to build a college football program's national brand and to earn respect of peers is to win a championship.