MSU's Harlon Barnett: 'Indiana is known for getting signs...the correct way'

Michigan State's interim football coach, and former player, Harlon Barnett explains the Spartans' play-calling strategy against Indiana, with a subtle reference to the ongoing U-M sign-stealing saga...

Author:
Matthew Lounsberry
Publish date:
Nov 18, 2023 7:01 PM EST

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Michigan State Spartans

There's no doubt most of Michigan State's fanbase has enjoyed seeing their hated in-state rival Michigan's 2023 football season mired by the on-going investigation into the Wolverines' sign-stealing practices. But, now, even some Spartan coaches are poking fun at the situation in Ann Arbor.

After Michigan State football's 24-21 win over Indiana on Saturday, interim head coach Harlon Barnett was asked about the team's strategy of having quarterback Katin Houser come to the sideline in-between plays to get the call.

"Well, Indiana's known for getting signs, in-game, the correct way," Barnett said, while grinning ear to ear. "I mean, in the game, if you're over there signaling, I'm looking to the sideline [and] I can decipher what you're doing — that's fair. Other stuff isn't fair. So, whenever we play Indiana, that's what we've got to do. If you go back to last year, if you look at last year's game, you will see the same thing. Because, they're elite at doing that. Some people become elite by other measures."

We all know who Barnett is referring to by "some people", and we know what Barnett is referring to by "other stuff" and other measures.

This is the second time in two days that a head coach of a Michigan State athletic program has had a little fun in a postgame press conference at the expense of the Wolverines. MSU men's basketball coach Tom Izzo took a little jab at both Michigan men's basketball and head football coach Jim Harbaugh last night following the Spartans' victory over Butler.

Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten Conference for Michigan's final three games of the regular season, including what's shaping up to be a Top 3 matchup with Ohio State next Saturday. Additionally, U-M has fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge, with a Yahoo! Sports article suggesting Partridge interfered with the NCAA's investigation.

While Michigan State football has struggled to a 4-7 record in a season which saw them fire head coach Mel Tucker amidst sexual harassment allegations, the Spartans seem to be enjoying the trouble their in-state rivals are currently caught up in with the NCAA and the Big Ten.

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