MSU's Dillon Tatum: 'I believe we're going to win this game' vs. No. 2 Michigan

Michigan State football has lost four games in a row and will enter this year's annual matchup with in-state rival Michigan as more than a three-touchdown underdog.

Michigan State (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) has endured a tough season thus far, but starting cornerback Dillon Tatum sees this Saturday's game against No. 2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0) as an opportunity to jumpstart the Spartans' season — while putting an ugly dent in their most hated rival's.

“This would be the start of it," Tatum said of a potential turnaround for MSU. "Losing four games in a row, I mean, we need to win something. This would be the start of it. We feel we can go 6-0 these last six games.”

Very few people, if anyone, expect the Spartans to be able to go toe-to-toe with the Wolverines outside of Tatum, his teammates and his coaches. Michigan is currently favored by 24 points and tied with No. 1 Georgia for the best odds of winning the national championship (+300) in some sportsbooks.

Tatum hears the doubt regarding MSU's chances in this game, but he's undeterred by them.

"You all can doubt us all you want, but we’re going to come out there and give them our best shot," the sophomore said. "Really this is the game. The game. For real. It’s important. It matters, and it matters the freaking most. We’re going to go out there and ball I believe. And I believe we’re going to win this football game.”

There's no denying a victory against the Wolverines is a tall task. Michigan is outscoring opponents by an average of 32.7 points per game this year, the biggest margin of any team in the country. Defensively, the Wolverines' have yet to allow an opponent to score more than 10 points in a single game.

Putting points on the board will be up to quarterback Katin Houser and the MSU offense. Tatum's focus is on what his unit has to do against an offense that features a potential first-round NFL quarterback in J.J. McCarthy and two excellent tailbacks in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.

The Spartan cornerback isn't intimidated, however.

"They’re going to try to go out there and really put the beating on us," Tatum said. "I’m like, no. That’s not going to happen. We’re not going to let that happen out here.”

Michigan's offense is more balanced in 2023 than it's been in recent years under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines are throwing the ball more often, but they still like to play power football with multiple tight ends and heavy offensive sets.

“They’re a heavy-run football team – two great running backs," Tatum said. "They’re going to do a lot of play-action, a lot of pro offense and try to get [McCarthy] out of the pocket and get those tight ends, or there’s exotic routes from those two receivers [Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson]."

Tatum has moved all around Michigan State's secondary in his two years with the program. His experience playing safety and nickelback will help him be a factor in stopping the run against the Wolverines from his corner spot.

“I love contact, so that just comes from playing safety and playing running back all my life," Tatum said. "I enjoy contact, so I’m not going to be scared or back down from anything. We’re going to be put in situations were we have to take on guards and tackles or tight ends, like you said, that I’ll have to guard those guys. But, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. That’s what you signed up for. Gotta get the job done.”

Despite the recent losses, Michigan State is battle-tested. The Spartans already know what it looks and feels like to have a Top 5 team line up across from them. They did it in Week 3 against current No. 5 Washington.

“You learn a lot playing against a good team," Tatum said. "They know football, just like how we know football. And they’re going to bring it all and we’re going to bring it all every time.”

This one, of course, means a little bit more to everyone in East Lansing.

“This year, we’re battling adversity every single week it seems like," Tatum said. "A lot of things are going not the way we want them to go, but we’re going to continue to stay in the fight.

"We’re never going to lay down for just anybody, and really just staying mission-focused on playing this game and winning this game. Because that’s what we’re going in here to do. We’re not gonna go in and sit there and lay an egg. That’s not nothing we do here at Michigan State University. A game like this is very important to everybody that’s came through this school, and we all know that we have to represent to the fullest.”

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