Raw Hyde this Saturday

IOWA CITY -- At one point during Iowa's victory at Michigan State last season, the Hyde in the white jersey laid a hit on the Hyde in the green jersey.

It was either just before the referee's whistle or just after the play ended. This is what brothers do. From the sandbox to the play ground to Spartan Stadium and, this week, Kinnick Stadium, brothers want to beat each other.

Sometimes literally.

“When it comes down to it, we're brothers,” said Micah Hyde, Iowa sophomore cornerback. “We'd like to see each other do well, but then again, we want to knock each other's head off when we get the opportunity.”

And that's why the extra shot last season.

“He just turned around and smiled,” Micah said. “It was pretty funny. It's just fun.”

Michigan State strong safety Marcus Hyde confirmed the story on Tuesday night. It happened on special teams, an Iowa kickoff.

"He kind of hit me in my back. I thought it was somebody else," said Marcus, who's second in the Big Ten with seven passes defended. "I look back at it was him. I started laughing." 

Marcus Hyde offered a few insights into the brotherly matchup, but he also talked about staying in the moment, something everyone Spartan is into these days.

The No. 18 Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) are the last ranked team No. 5 Michigan State (8-0, 4-0) will face this season. After Iowa, the Spartans host Minnesota (winless in the Big Ten), take a week off, host Purdue (4-3 with injuries at quarterback) and close at Penn State (4-3 and losers in two of its last three).

Tuesday, Hyde was asked if MSU players should upgrade their goals from Rose Bowl to BCS national title game.

"You can't think about that," Marcus Hyde said. "You can't think about that. You have to stay in the moment. That's the biggest thing right now."

Because Marcus is a fifth-year senior, three years older than Micah, their mom, Pam Hampton, has favored the older brother this season. She was able to see Micah, a sophomore cornerback, for the Penn State game in Kinnick.

Saturday, the family, which is from Fostoria, Ohio, will be well represented.

Marcus has had to fight with quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has a lot of family members, including his mom, graduate from Iowa, for extra tickets. At last count, he was in the twenties. Micah has contributed at least eight, with maybe a few more scrounged up later this week.

Last season, Hampton wore a Michigan State jersey when the Hawkeyes toppled the Spartans on the final play of the game, 15-13. The plan has changed to a more neutral piece of clothing for this year's rematch.

She'll wear a sweatshirt - “A sweatshirt with little Hawkeye and Spartan stuff on it,” Micah said - that represents both schools. Family members will be wearing T-shirts.

“We're both No. 1 to her,” Micah said.

Yes, it is a bit of an awkward position from mom. One of her son's championship hopes will be dented after Saturday.

"I guess it's a win-win, but it's also a lose-lose," Micah said. "She has to comfort the one who loses, but she's excited. She's happy we're here. Everyone in Fostoria is happy for us and showing us love. I really do appreciate it from everyone back home. I'm sure Marcus would say the same. Show much love that everyone is showing us."

The brothers usually talk three times a week, but Sunday was it this week. It was a quick phone call, basically a good luck and see you after the game.

Make no mistake, this is a competitive situation. Both brothers are playing for a Big Ten title. One brother might be playing for a national championship.

But that's business as usual for the Hyde brothers. Their whole lives have been a competitive situation.

Who's the fastest?

"He was a little chubby kid," Micah said. "He slimmed down in high school, but now I think I've definitely got him."

Who's stronger?

"The weightroom? Like I said, he used to be chubby," Micah said. "He put on a lot of muscle after that fat stage. He's definitely got me in the weightroom."

School?

"I think I got the better half of that," Hyde said. "You can ask mom on that one. I got the better half there. She would know."

Basketball?

"I got him in basketball," Micah said. "He's sort of a stiff in basketball."

Marcus didn't get to answer those questions directly, but he has seen some of Micah's games and offered a blunt critique.

"From what I can see, he's playing well," Marcus said. "He's made a couple mistakes, but that's going to happen as a [first-year starter]. You've got to learn from experience. He's playing well, but he could always play better."

It'll take a special teams play for the Hyde brothers to clash. Watch Iowa's punt return team against Michigan State's punt team. That might be the one.

""He's a good guy. He's my brother, I love him," Micah said. "This week, it's definitely an enemy relationship we've got going on. Strictly business."

It's on.