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Posted on Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 5:59 a.m.

Michigan senior class trying to change its legacy against Michigan State

By Kyle Meinke

VanBergen_Cousins_2009.jpg

Ryan Van Bergen (53) gets a piece of Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins' arm during a 2009 loss at Spartan Stadium. Van Bergen and the rest of Michigan's seniors are trying to avoid being the first class to never beat Michigan State or Ohio State.

AnnArbor.com file photo

This year's crop of Michigan football seniors has a chance to make history.

Not the good kind.

The Wolverines' senior class has yet to beat Michigan State or Ohio State. If they lose to both this year, it would become the first in school history to go winless against the program's top two rivals.

They have a chance to end that skid Saturday when No. 11 Michigan (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) faces No. 23 Michigan State (4-1, 1-0) at noon on ESPN.

And they know it.

“Right now, the legacy with the seniors in my class is that we're going to have to come back and say we've lost to Michigan State three years in a row, and none of us have beaten Ohio State,” senior defensive end Ryan Van Bergen said this week.

“That's our legacy, like it or not -- good, bad or indifferent. Luckily, we have this year to change some of that, and that's our focus going forward.”

There's a lot on the line this year. Michigan has a chance to move to 7-0 with an off week next on its schedule, followed by a winnable game against Purdue. A victory against the Spartans would put the Wolverines in control of their destiny in the Legends Division.

It would also end a three-year run of futility against Michigan State and erase memories of an overtime loss in the Wolverines' last trip to Spartan Stadium in 2009.

But that's all present-day stuff. There's more on the line than that for these Wolverines.

"Legacy" is a word several players used this week to characterize their feelings heading into this game. They know they'll be remembered for how many Big Ten championships they won and how they fared against Michigan State and Ohio State.

So far, they're an 0-fer.

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Mike Martin

"It's something that we've thought about and something that's a huge goal for us," senior defensive tackle Mike Martin said. "Your legacy here at Michigan is how you do in big games against rivals and how you do in the league.

"So, Saturday is a big step for us as a team. Going away (on the road), it's going to be a great test for us. I'm excited."

Even the coaching staff, in its first year in Ann Arbor, sympathizes with the players.

Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison was asked if he noticed a special burn to the players this week.

He didn't answer. He just nodded his head.

"I know exactly what they’re going through," he later added. "I feel it every meeting, and I know in my heart what this would mean to these guys because these guys -- I keep saying it -- what they have done since (head coach Brady Hoke's) gotten here is amazing. It really is."

Michigan players have been slow to embrace their 6-0 start, and have talked at length about trying to avoid the late-season swoons that have plagued them the past two years.

It was the Spartans who precipitated those free falls.

In 2009, the Wolverines were 4-0 before losing 26-20 in overtime against Michigan State. They finished 5-7.

They were 5-0 last season before a 34-17 loss to the Spartans. They finished 7-5.

"It has definitely been our turning point," senior tight end Kevin Koger said of the rivalry game. "You've seen it the last couple of years -- it makes or breaks our season."

Will this season be made or broken?

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Comments

Rufus

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.

This is a huge game for the Michigan program and for Denard. I hope Denard plays a great 4 quarters and puts the hard times of the last three years behind us. I think the key is how Borges uses Denard. Can he limit some of the situations Denard has gotten into trouble with? Are their some new looks and plays that he can unleash against MSU. I don't think we can afford 3or 4 interceptions against the Spartans. Safe passes to start the game and a lot of running plays from all the backs,including Gardner in the diamond shaped backfield. Go Blue! zero interceptions!

RWBill

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.

Really would help to hit his first 8 or 10 passes. Msu will start with a good plan for containing him and will stick with it until forced to change and cover.

Dan

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.

No. 11 Michigan (6-2, 2-0 Big Ten) faces No. 23 Michigan State (5-1, 1-0)

Ross

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.

Well, my commented was apparently deleted because I asked what someone might have been smoking, my bad. The point remains that BOTH of your listed records are incorrect. Michigan has 2 losses? Explain. What was the 5th win MSU picked up? Pretty sure they just had a bye week.

RWBill

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.

Thanks Dan!

mgoblue48348

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.

I would not want to be in that locker room after the game should they lose again. On the other hand I am not totally sure I would want to be in that locker room should Michigan win, there will be so much jumpin around a person could get hurt in there without wearing a uniform. I remember coach Mo' was wearing a cast from jumping on a table and not landing well, but I think that was an Ohio State motivational speech if I remember correctly. Should Michigan win I am sure we will be able to hear the fight song coming out of the locker room all the way over here in Clarkston, either way good luck Michigan and give the Sparty a good beat down thats been three years in the makin' GO BLUE.

Joe Kidd

Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.

Right a good beat down is needed. Real good. Like embarrassingly good. The only way to shut them up about the last three years is a humiliating whoopin'. A close win will not do.