Saturday, both Mark Dantonio and Brady Hoke will be going up against an opposing coach who used to work for them. And neither is happy about it. Hoke admitted that he wished his former team San Diego State, now coached by his former defensive coordinator Rocky Long, wasn't on Michigan's schedule — and even asked U-M athletic director David Brandon about trying to buy the game out. The Aztecs will bring a 3-0 record into the Big House Saturday as they look to give their former coach his first setback at his new job.
Dantonio and the Spartans are set to take on Central Michigan, now coached by Dan Enos — who worked as an assistant under Dantonio at both Cincinnati and Michigan State. Dantonio said he and Enos are still close friends, and for that reason isn't looking forward to facing him this weekend. Hoke and Long also said they still communicate on a regular basis, but not about football. Nonetheless, the four coaching colleagues will all be looking to one-up each other on Saturday.
In my opinion, SDSU will be by far the toughest team Michigan has faced this season (yes, that includes Notre Dame). Michigan, with a brand new No. 22 ranking, could be on upset alert Saturday. As for MSU, the Chippewas aren't what they were two years ago when they came into Spartan Stadium and stole a win. Central has fallen fast and far since Enos took over the program from former coach Butch Jones, so the Spartans shouldn't have too much trouble. That being said, MSU's offensive line is terrible. Expect Enos, who could be coaching for his job in some respects, to try and bring a lot of pressure.
Picks: Michigan State 28, CMU 7. Michigan 34, San Diego State 31.