Michigan Football Transfer Ready For First Crack At Michigan State

Drake Nugent spent four years at Stanford and now that he's in Michigan, he's got his first taste of the Michigan-MSU rivalry.

Michigan's starting center the past two seasons have been terrific transfers. Last season, the Wolverines went out and got Olu Oluwatimi from Virginia and he quickly learned what the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry was all about. Now, in 2023, Drake Nugent is quickly learning. 

Nugent, a Colorado kid, spent the past four years playing center for Stanford. Being out west his whole life, Nugent didn't know how much the in-state rivalry meant to both schools, but he's realizing what it's all about. 

On Tuesday, during media availability, he told reporters the first thing he learned is that it's important. Since he stepped foot on campus in Ann Arbor, the talk has been about playing the big three: Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. Finally, the preseason All-American candidate has a chance to play against one of those three teams. 

“That it’s important,” Nugent said when asked about the rivalry. “I’d probably say that’s the thing most relevant. When I first came here, everyone always talks about the three main games being Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State. I’m just excited to get a chance to have my first crack at one of those three games.”

Stanford never had a good football program while Nugent was with the Cardinals. But being on that side of the ball, Nugent knew what it was like entering the game as a big underdog. 

This weekend, Michigan is favored by 24 points against Michigan State and the game is being played in East Lansing. Nugent has been on that side of things, and he knows Michigan State will give Michigan all it has. Nugent has been a part of major upsets when he was with Stanford. The Cardinals beat both USC and Oregon in 2021 when they were major underdogs. 

“We’re gonna get their best shot,” Nugent said. “I’ve had the opportunity to be on the flip side of this, especially being at Stanford the past few years with rivalry games and playing against teams that were favored. You just can’t give them that satisfaction, can’t overlook them. Just like any other week, just gotta take it one week at a time and just keep preparation high.”

Michigan has been taking a simple approach this week. Take each game as a nameless, faceless, opponent. The Wolverines are looking for revenge from last season's tunnel incident, they just want to get into East Lansing and get home with a win.