Jim Harbaugh quotes Rafiki from ‘The Lion King’ in press conference

“No questions, they have an outstanding football team”, Harbaugh said. “He’s playing his best football and preparing consistently good each and every week”.

So here we are in 2015. From Day 1 Dantonio said Michigan and Ohio State were going to be our measuring stick.

The Spartans are now 5-4-2, after a 0-0 tie against Wisconsin on October. 10. They are another team the pundits have been reluctant to drop in the rankings due to being undefeated. The point spread is the great equalizer.

Harbaugh has led a dramatic turnaround in his first year, matching last season’s total number of wins under Brady Hoke with a five-game winning streak since opening with a setback at Utah. The Spartans are the ultimate rarity in sports: 6-0 SU, 0-6 ATS.

The Scarlet Knights need to win a minimum of four games to reach the mandatory six and qualify for a postseason bowl game.

GETTING TO KNOW THE SPARTANS • The Spartans have historically dominated Western Michigan, holding a 30-2-8 record over their in-state foes. That won’t win a Big Ten title or impress the playoff committee. I was there in 2007 when we lost that first one.

Either a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings or a cookout at someone’s house, they would have their eyes fixed in one direction: on the Michigan State-Rutgers game.

As for a more realistic possibility, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported earlier today that Sean Payton would be “intrigued” with either the Colts or the Dolphins pursuing his services. “Coach wanted to have that mindset going”. All of a sudden, the MSU at Ohio State game in Columbus on November. 21 will become the big one in the Big Ten again. He’s got a great demeanor as a football player. Southern California at Notre Dame (-3) The Trojans, a preseason top-10 team, are stunningly on the brink of having their season fly out the window. QB Greg Ward would be in the Heisman discussion if he was in a Power 5 conference. And for the second week in a row, their lackluster performance against an unranked opponent has cost them in the polls.

I remember when the Spartans were floundering under the direction of John L. Smith and Bobby Williams.

Michigan State is bringing in top recruiting talent over the next few years. And no more stakes thrown down into the ground before kickoff – so far. In the offseason, they sent a pair of WR’s and a RB to the National Football League draft.

While Dantonio’s recruiting has been quite good, the Spartans have not found elite playmakers to replace those who departed, leaving their offense relatively limited and their defense down a notch or two from what it has been. Shades of the past have stuck around, but things are changing for the worst in East Lansing.

Michigan State also got an 8-yard TD catch by Macgarrett Kings Jr. Despite the positive turnover edge, the Spartans STILL haven’t been able to cover a single spread.

Michigan State struggled in the first half.

As usual, Dantonio gave no injury updates, but when asked if Jack Allen might not play after suffering an ankle injury against Rutgers, he said: “There’s always a chance”.

These aren’t second tier players – they’re many of Michigan State’s best players.

Junior defensive back Darian Hicks left the game with what appeared to me as symptoms of a concussion.

Upon his arrival he took down any signs or clocks about rivalry games, be they against the Spartans or Buckeyes. Now, Michigan enters the game as a seven point favorite.

“We’re Michigan State and we are No. 4 in the country”, said Spartans receiver Aaron Burbridge, who had a season-best nine catches for 146 yards. Josiah should be back, Jack Conklin should be back.