ARLINGTON, Texas -- While most of the Big Ten was focused on the big news coming out of Ann Arbor Tuesday with Michigan's hiring of Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan State Spartans didn't even blink at the news.
The Spartans, who are preparing for Thursday's Goodyear Cotton Bowl, had little to no reaction to Michigan getting a new head coach during media day at AT&T Stadium.
All All-America safety Kurtis Drummond did was shake his head when asked his reaction to the coaching news at the Spartans' in-state rival.
He wasn't alone although a few Spartans were a little more forthcoming. A little.
"It's a good hire," standout receiver Tony Lippett said. "We really don't care what happens at Michigan though. The rivalry is what it is. It's been going on for years to come. It doesn't matter who the coach is."
Lippett said he knows a little about Harbaugh because of his time as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and knows he coached some good teams. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio said he's met Harbaugh before but didn't know him that well.
While that's going to change soon, the Spartans are focusing on the present which is the Baylor game.
"I'll just have to say this is about Michigan State, this is about the Cotton Bowl," Dantonio said. "And we're going to stay right there."
If that was the message Dantonio wanted to get out to the media it was one his team got as well.
"We're not focused on Michigan," senior offensive lineman Travis Jackson said. "We're just focused on our game. I don't have any comment beyond that."
All-America defensive end Shilique Calhoun echoed Jackson's sentiments.
"I don't engage in Michigan talk," he said.
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