'Be Positive, Or Be Quiet!' Michigan State Spartans Interim Coach Harlan Bennett On Preparation For Ohio State Buckeyes

As the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes prep for the Spartans, Michigan State is taking on the week hoping for a major upset.

As the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes prep for the Spartans, Michigan State is taking on the week hoping for a major upset. 

The Spartans are, and should be, feeling good about themselves for the first time in a long time, after their first win in seven games after the firing of former coach Mel Tucker. “Winning does a lot, heals a lot of wounds and pain,” interim coach Harlon Barnett said.

Bennett was on the Michigan State staff the last three times the Spartans beat Ohio State. And those wins in 2011, 2013, and 2015 are still fresh in Barnett's memory. "I know what it is to go down there and compete, play hard against these guys," Barnett said.

And Barnett knows it begins with preparation early in the week and the right mindset. "We want to keep the positive energy going, and that's what we want at all times. Positive energy with coaches, staff, support staff, training room, weight room. And body language speaks negative or positive energy also so we want to have great body language and positive body language.

Michigan State Spartans / USA TODAY SPORTS

"There's a quote I've heard out there before, 'Be positive or be quiet,' so that's what we're going to be out there this week."

But Barnett knows positivity alone won't get the job done. "You've got to have great attention to detail," Barnett said. "The last two top 10 teams we played, we had penalties in both games, so we can't beat ourselves. Great attention to detail will help us not beat ourselves. ... Doing your job, playing with great discipline, great eye control, and great physicality."

It's a tough ask for the Spartans on Saturday, but the Buckeyes will still need to work for the win at Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.