The big game is finally here. For Jonathan Smith and Aidan Chiles, this marks their second go-around against Michigan — but their first time hosting the Wolverines in East Lansing.

The last time these two teams faced off at Spartan Stadium, Michigan stunned the home crowd with a 49–0 blowout. Now, Michigan State is looking to avenge three straight losses and bring the Paul Bunyan Trophy back home. To do that, they’ll rely heavily on quarterback Aidan Chiles, whose dual-threat ability makes him one of the most difficult players in the Big Ten to defend.

This week, Chiles met with the media to discuss preparation and mindset heading into rivalry week.

When asked about Coach Smith’s message leading up to this year’s matchup, Chiles said:

“It’s been a point of emphasis since fall camp. From five months away to now it’s five days away, and he’s let us know — this is a big game, this is what we’ve wanted all year. It’s a rivalry game.”

Having experienced his first Michigan game last year in Ann Arbor, Chiles reflected on how the reality compared to the hype:

“Last year it was way bigger than I expected. I came from Oregon State with a rivalry game too, Oregon–Oregon State, and it was way bigger than that. It’s the whole state. It’s going to be fun.”

Now with that first experience behind him, Chiles said he feels more prepared this time around:

“Knowing the message and the history behind the game, everyone knows what they have to do — handle business, play their role. We want to come out winning that trophy.”

That trophy, of course, is the nine-foot-tall Paul Bunyan Trophy, awarded to the winner of the rivalry since 1953 — one that’s been missing from East Lansing for three years.

When asked whether last year’s early success before things unraveled still sticks with him, Chiles shrugged it off:

“No, not really. We didn’t play as good as we could’ve. Lost the game. It happens — we didn’t play our best, it doesn’t stick with me.”

Coach Smith has reportedly emphasized the importance of this game since the summer. Chiles confirmed that sentiment:

“It started with fall camp. He talked to us about the history of this game and had the guys who’ve played multiple years talk to us. They emphasized how big of a game this is.” When asked who stood out, Chiles mentioned, “Coach Vinny talked to us about the entire thing — put your name on it. Just want to be known around here.”

Chiles also handled a few tricky questions gracefully, including one about last year’s officiating disparity (MSU was flagged six times to Michigan’s zero):

“Focus on the critical moments, do the best you can, and keep the penalties to a minimum — that’s pretty much every game.”

When asked about the team’s inconsistent run game — or, as Katy Perry might’ve called it, “hot and cold” — Chiles kept it simple:

“Keep doing it, and it’ll work with all 11 players doing their job.”

A quick question about his relationship with Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood didn’t get much traction:

“We’re cordial, we train together. I’m here to focus on Michigan’s defense.”

And when asked about tuning out outside noise during rivalry week, Chiles closed with focus and confidence:

“I listen to whatever is said in this building, and that’s it."

Chiles faces one of the biggest tests of his young career this Saturday. If Michigan State is going to end its three-year drought and get its season back on track, it’ll start — and likely end — with Aidan Chiles.