Michigan, Michigan State ADs issue joint statement to UM-MSU fans ahead of Saturday's rivalry game
Saturday’s matchup between Michigan State and Michigan might be a battle of two bitter in-state rivals, but that doesn’t mean that people have to act like jerks in Ann Arbor this weekend. UM and MSU athletic directors Warde Manuel and Bill Beekman want to make sure things stay civil between the two fanbases.
On Saturday, Michigan State and Michigan will meet for the 112th time on the gridiron in a matchup that has only grown in intensity over the years. Disgust reached a high last season, when a pregame quarrel in East Lansing resulted in linebacker Devin Bush stomping all over the Spartan head logo at midfield.
It was so intense that the B1G has implemented new pregame policies.
Manuel wants to make sure something like that doesn’t trickle into the crowd on Saturday amongst fans. He released a statement on Thursday:
Michigan and Michigan State will battle for Paul Bunyan’s Trophy this weekend. The Wolverines lead the all-time series 70-36-5, but MSU has primarily dominated during the Mark Dantonio era. The Spartans have won eight of the last 11 meetings, but the Wolverines are winners of two of the last three.
We’ll see how things play out this weekend.