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For the second straight season, Michigan State looks as if it's a contender for the Big Ten title after beating - and beating up - rival Michigan.
The question now is whether the 15th-ranked Spartans are crossing a line. Their aggressive defense is among the stingiest in the nation, but Michigan State was also flagged for several personal fouls last weekend, a trend that could cost the team if it continues.
''We're just playing the game as hard as we can play it,'' coach Mark Dantonio said Tuesday.
''It's the physical game, it's the game of reaction. We're not talking about seconds to react, we're talking about tenths of seconds to react. This game is a game of collision, and anybody who does not understand that hasn't been out there.''
Michigan State said the Big Ten has notified the Spartans of a possible ''conduct violation.''
Athletic director Mark Hollis said the school will forward a written report to the conference when an internal review is finished. Hollis didn't go into any detail about the nature of the possible violation.
The Spartans beat Michigan 28-14 on Saturday. Michigan State defensive lineman William Gholston was shown on video appearing to twist the helmet of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson during a pileup.
Gholston was also shown taking a swing at a Michigan lineman on another play, appearing to connect with his face or neck.
''Coach Dantonio and his staff work hard at promoting good sportsmanship,'' Hollis said in a statement. ''Coach D and his staff will continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining one's composure during the heat of the moment.''
Gholston wasn't made available to reporters after Tuesday's practice, but defensive back Trenton Robinson defended his teammate.
''He's not a dirty player. He plays with a lot of enthusiasm. He's a good football player and he's a good person,'' Robinson said. ''I know him, our team knows him, our coaches know who he is. All that other stuff, where people talk outside of these walls, is for the birds.''
Michigan State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) hosts No. 4 Wisconsin (6-0, 2-0) on Saturday night, meaning the Spartans will have to refocus quickly after beating Michigan for a fourth straight time.
Michigan State, which shared the Big Ten title in 2010, leads the Legends Division now but is in the middle of a brutal October stretch.
The Spartans began the month with wins over Ohio State and Michigan, but still have to play Wisconsin and then at Nebraska the next two weekends.
Michigan State is ranked second in the nation in total defense. The Spartans were able to beat Michigan despite committing 13 penalties for 124 yards - including two roughing the passer calls and four other personal fouls.
Five of those six 15-yard penalties were by the defense and the other came on special teams.
''A lack of composure is frustrating obviously, but we're not coaching that, and that's never been - I don't think that's been evident in this program,'' Dantonio said.
''You've got to try and cut down the penalties because penalties are going to hurt you. But we're the ones getting penalized, so we have to play with the results there. We somehow found our way out of those, but they're going to hurt us and ultimately cost us a football game if we don't clean those up.''
Dantonio said his team couldn't afford to hold back against the Wolverines because of Denard Robinson's elusiveness. Robinson slipped free and ran for a touchdown early in the game.
''With a guy like Denard Robinson you have to go get him, because if you don't, he's out the gate,'' Dantonio said.
''As you saw on the touchdown, we thought we had him in the sack and next thing you know he's in the end zone. He's very difficult. If you go up on him and jump, he's very likely to pull the ball down and tuck it and go. Difficult situation.''
Michigan State will try to cut down on the penalties while still putting pressure on Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, who has been sacked only five times in six games.
''I like Michigan State's approach. I mean, to me, when I was a defensive coordinator, the one thing you could do is you can mentally or physically challenge a quarterback, and that's exactly what they're obviously doing on film, and some even kind of say it in the papers,'' Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said.
''One of the good advantages of Russell is he doesn't really get overly rattled by anything that I've seen thrown at him, and obviously, Michigan State is a very aggressive defense. They bring pressure from everywhere, all over the field.''
