Battle for the Megaphone: Notre Dame shifts focus to Michigan State rivalry

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- The Irish improved to 2-0 with a dominant 52-point win Saturday, but Freeman made it clear Monday that one lopsided result won’t change the standard as Notre Dame prepares for Michigan State. The return of the Battle for the Megaphone.

“They are going to be tough, they’re going to be confident, they are going to play the game hard and they won’t beat themselves,” Freeman said. “They do a really good job at managing the game too.”

That’s what Freeman expects from a Pat Fitzgerald-coached team, and it’s why complacency was a central part of his message as Notre Dame turned the page from Rice.

The Irish did plenty right Saturday, but Freeman is still looking for another level from several areas of his team. That includes a running game he wants to become more explosive. Notre Dame has been productive on the ground through two weeks, but Freeman said the offense is still searching for ways to generate more big plays from a backfield replacing much of last season’s production.

At linebacker, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is still being brought along gradually after missing the season opener. Freeman said the Irish believe they have four starting-caliber linebackers, giving them the luxury of not rushing Viliamu-Asa into a larger workload before he is ready.
But this week carries something the first two did not: a rivalry trophy.

Notre Dame and Michigan State will once again play for the Megaphone, adding another layer to a matchup many current Irish players have never experienced.

Freeman wants to make sure they understand exactly what comes with it.

“When we don’t play rivalry games, we talk about team glory. That’s what we’re striving to get, but this one has the megaphone and you’re able to talk to them about the past, the history of the game, just so they know,” Freeman said. “You wanna know why — why is this rivalry? What does it mean? We might study the past a little bit, so it’s our job to make sure they’re educated on the rivalry.”

For a Notre Dame roster filled with players who have never faced Michigan State, that history matters. So Freeman’s job this week goes beyond preparing his team for the Spartans’ personnel and style of play. He wants the Irish to understand why this one feels different.