Michigan-Michigan State Football: Why Little Brother's Reign Is About to End

During the last four seasons, "Little Brother" was anything but. The Michigan State Spartans not only won the last four meetings, but they were much more physical in doing so.

When Brady Hoke took the Michigan job just over a year ago, he promised a return to the smash-mouth style of the past.

The message came through during the 2011 season, as the Wolverines turned a leaky defense into a rather stout one. Their points allowed dropped from 33.3 to 17.4, certainly a preview of things to come.

You'll also see more of a pro-style attack in 2012 as Hoke is slowly rebuilding the offensive line and adding a power runner or two.

With Denard Robinson at the helm for one more season, Michigan will still employ the spread option, albeit a more robust one.

While no one is claiming Michigan will route Michigan State this fall, the future is undoubtedly tilting the Wolverines' way.  Missing from the 2011 Spartans lineup will be quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Edwin Baker and their top two receivers—B.J.Cunningham and Keshawn Martin. On defense, the Spartans must replace space-eating tackle Jerel Worthy and talented safety Trenton Robinson.

The Spartans must also travel to Ann Arbor, where they've only won twice in the last 10 meetings.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the rivalry has been Michigan's sudden dominance in the recruiting wars. 

Coach Hoke and his staff has accomplished this in the all-important states of Michigan and Ohio. In Michigan, the Wolverines took seven players from the Associated Press All-State team, while the Spartans were able to land only one.

In Ohio, Michigan signed five of ESPN's top 10 players while State was totally shut out.

In fact, Scout ranked Michigan's 2012 recruiting class fourth in the nation while the Spartans' ranked just 38th. Granted it's still early, but Michigan has 13 commits in its 2013 class, while Michigan State trails with four.   

Of the 13 commits headed to Ann Arbor, five are from Michigan and four are from Ohio. Even better, seven have received 4-stars from 247sports while the others are 3-star recruits. Leading the way for the Wolverines are quarterback Shane Morris from Warren De La Salle and running back Wyatt Shallman of Detroit Catholic Central. Both are bringing a type of swagger which Michigan definitely needs.

Morris, who could finish his prep career as the No.1 rated quarterback in the nation, has been at work on the recruiting trail. He's been working hard on superback Ty Isaac and linebacker E.J. Levenberry.

“(We’re) just trying to become part of the number one recruiting class in the nation," Morris said. In fact, 247sports has Michigan rated No. 1 in the nation, thanks to the early start.

Shallman, who hopes to be a 260-pound tailback, brings some of former Michigan running back Michael Hart's personality.  Without saying, Hart set off a huge controversy in East Lansing after Michigan's last win over the Spartans in 2007.

As most everyone recalls, Hart indirectly referred to Michigan State as the Wolverines' "Little Brother".

While Hart may have been slightly tongue-in-cheek, Shallman is a no-nonsense advocate of Michigan's evolving offense.  

"(My grandpa) always talked about how power football and power running, downhill, four yards a carry, that sort of thing, that has always been Michigan's M.O.," Shallman told ESPN. "That's really what Michigan football is about. That's really what football is about, smashing heads."