Heading into this rivalry game between Michigan and Michigan State, not much positive is said about the other team. Sure both teams give the other credit on what they do right and things like that, but both Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio have shown great mutual respect for one another this week.

On Monday, Harbaugh said Dantonio was a master motivator, had a great body of work with his track record and that he was a fine coach. Today, Dantonio went a step above Harbaugh and gave him a bigger compliment. He called him intense, and a Hall of Fame football coach.

That’s right, Dantonio believes Harbaugh is a Hall of Fame football coach.

That isn’t something you don’t hear much from rival schools heading into their game this week. The question is, is Harbaugh an actual Hall of Fame football coach? That point can be debated and will be depending on how Harbaugh’s coaching career ends whenever it does.

So far in his coaching career, Harbaugh has coached in the NCAA FCS and FBS subdivisions, and the NFL. In the NCAA, Harbaugh has coached for three teams, San Diego, Stanford, and Michigan. His collegiate record is currently 103-43, with two Pioneer League Championships at San Diego.

In the NFL, Harbaugh would coach the San Francisco 49ers for four years and finish with a record of 44-19-1 with two NFC West division titles, an NFC Championship title, and a Super Bowl appearance. He would also be the first coach in NFL history to have reached a conference championship game each of his first three years.

So, Harbaugh has had some great success at different programs and levels of competition. Is he a Hall of Fame lock? Very possible, but his career is still young at just 55 years old. He could still coach for another 10 plus seasons if he wants to, or he could retire after this season and either way it will still be a great career.

Harbaugh wants to win though, he’s an intense coach like Dantonio said, so expect him to retire anytime soon. He wants to win a conference championship and win the National championship. He’s at his alma mater and wants to give them something to be proud of, and he’s done a good job at turning the ship around so far.

Now he just has to reinforce the ship and build it up to the likes of the Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State. Consistent reloading and small mistakes. Dantonio see’s what Harbaugh is as a coach and you bet he wants to try and beat him in front of his own crowd on Saturday in Ann Arbor once again.

This game is a big one for both head coaches, as Dantonio is dealing with his own demons, Harbaugh is 2-2 against his in-state rival and finally having a winning record over the Spartans would help him out as well, along with being on a two-game win streak against them. If Harbaugh can start to figure out Michigan State, then there is just one rival he has to try and stop. Ohio State.