On Campus — Can You Root For Michigan?
Any MSU football fan interested in what’s best for the Spartans has a real conundrum.
And it’s not just peanuts we’re talking about here. It’s a “finger-on-the-trigger, do-I-or-don’t-I shoot” type of mental struggle.
The conundrum: If you’re an MSU football fan, do you root for Michigan to beat Ohio State this weekend, thus sending MSU to the Rose Bowl with a win over Penn State on Saturday.
I know that the scenario of U-M beating Ohio State and MSU beating Penn State is about as likely as Britney Spears winning a “Parent of the Year” award.
But this isn’t just about hypotheticals. It’s about allegiances and how far they can be stretched for one’s own gain.
There’s nothing less patriotic than a diehard MSU fan rooting for U-M. Asking for a Spartan to root for the Wolverines is like asking an elephant to get up off its side — under normal pretenses, it just doesn’t happen. Sure, there are those who straddle the fanship line of MSU and U-M, whether it be because of familial obligations or dual degrees or any number of reasons.
But I’m not talking to those people. I’m talking to you, the guy who paints his shirtless chest with a block “S” and stands in the blistering November cold at Spartan Stadium on Saturdays. To you, the woman who brought her first child home in a green and white blanket. To you, the couple who wanted Sparty to replace the priest at your wedding.
Are you man, woman and Spartan enough to set your pure loathing of all things Michigan — the disdainful tradition, the endless arrogance, the feigning of indifference to men’s basketball — and offer one chant of “Hail to the Victors” in hopes of propelling the Wolverines to the program’s greatest upset of Ohio State?
What’s the upside? The Spartans, with a surprising victory of their own, would be able to bask in the warm sun of Pasadena at the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1988.
The downside? Everything you’ve been indoctrinated to hate would have to be shoved into the darkest depths of your soul. The hate of all things Michigan would have to be pushed aside for three and a half hours — even though you, I and everybody outside of Ann Arbor know the Wolverines have the same chance of winning in Columbus on Saturday as Woody Hayes rising from the dead in a winged Maize and Blue helmet.
For the truest of Spartans, it’s quite the conundrum. In the end, though, I figure it comes down to one simple fact:
You do what’s best for your team.
Treason included.
Jump to commentsThe Huddle

Sports reporter Jacob Carpenter examines sports issues from the past and present.
Subscribe.FEATURED CLASSIFIEDS:More classifieds»
in Employment:
in Apts. For Rent:
- OLD ORCHARD apartments. 2 bdrm for $500, 1 bdrm fo...
- RIVER GLEN, 2 bdrm, furn. All apts w/ balcony. Acr...
in Houses/Rent:
- AUG '10. 1230 Lilac. new kitchen! 5 bdrm/2 bath. L...
- AUG. '10. 1031 Daisy. Private, 1 bdrm, spacious. L...
in Misc. For Sale:
- Popular
- Illegal explosives thrown from car had potential to kill
- Fighting for an unkept Promise
- Police going overboard on firework explosion case
- Friends remember sophomore Rosman as 'genuine guy'
- World must come together on climate change
- After jail release, instructor remains on paid leave
- Kidnapping charge dropped for Higuchi
- ASMSU faces scholarship funding decision
- Concern for preservation of MSU classics department triggers 1,500-signature petition
- Spartans get back on track, rout Broncos 49-14
- Newest
- Izzo displeased with MSU's 75-62 win against Toledo
- Police brief 11/20/09
- Web exclusive: Hockey team ties Notre Dame 1-1, loses shootout 2-1
- No. 21 Spartans lose to No. 5 Notre Dame by 1
- MSU releases few details about police investigation
- What could you buy with City Center II?
- Children's theatre receives 3 grants
- Jewish workplace focus of lecture
- Lecture on the mind to be held Friday
- Turnout for Granholm's Mich. Promise Scholarship rally low
- Comments
-
hmmm said: sounds like homeboy broke his window and didn't want to get stuck with the charge for it.
(added 2 hours ago) more » -
mike said: Ok then, let's ban tasers. Let them just use their bullets instead.
(added 2 hours ago) more » -
Re: Sports said: Do you know why black's tend to be "naturally better" at sports than white people?
(added 2 hours ago) more » -
Ron Yogman said: Beat 'em up, beat 'em up,
Spartans. Smash mouth football versus PSU.
This Spartan is a Floridian
and I need you to run up the score so you go bowling in the Sunshine State, not Texas
or Arizona or heaven forbid,
Detroit.
(added 2 hours ago) more » -
R said: really state news? you couldn't find anyone with a dissenting opinion?
(added 3 hours ago) more »
-
hmmm said: sounds like homeboy broke his window and didn't want to get stuck with the charge for it.
- Sat 21st
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
- Sun 22nd
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
- Mon 23rd
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
- Tue 24th
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day -
John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
All day
-
Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:More reprints »
Gov. Jennifer Granholm speaks to a crowd about the Michigan Promise Scholarship during a rally Wednesday morning outside the Administration Building. Granholm is touring colleges in Michigan to discuss the scholarship.
Powered by reprints.statenews.com.










JB
11/16/08 10:03pmIt’s going to feel dirty, horrible, and go against everything I’ve ever stood for, but I feel that rooting for Michigan in this game is rooting for Michigan State. That is, if we can still pull off the win against Penn State. Then I’ll feel terrible, supporting Michigan for nothing.
NL
11/16/08 11:00pmbold-arrogant-shade-of-yellow meet proud-strong-natural-shade-of-GREEN…Spartans do whatever it takes to survive. this is no exception. go blue- only to GO GREEN.
Alternative
11/16/08 11:57pmI can never bring myself to root FOR the Wolverweenies but I will be rooting AGAINST Ohio State this Saturday.
Bleed Green
11/17/08 6:42amI will be cheering my head off for the Spartans on Saturday, but cannot bring myself to cheer for U of M EVER. While I’d be thrilled if we do make it to the Rose Bowl, I’ll be happy just for us to have a 10-2 season if we can beat Penn State. The rest is up to Michigan, Ohio State and the Powers that Be.
No way in hell
11/17/08 7:22amThere’s is no chance that I would root for Michigan… ever… no matter what situation I or my team may find ourselves.
As Bleed Green said, I too will be happy with a 10-2 season.
Go Bucks!
Jason B
11/17/08 7:39amI don’t think I can root for Michigan, even if a Rose Bowl trip is on the line. If Michigan beats Ohio State, then I’ll be happy because we’ll have a chance for the Rose Bowl. But during the game, I’ll still be hoping Ohio State mecilessly pounds their helmets in. I went to Orlando last year, and this year have a young daughter, so going back to Florida and Disneyland isn’t all that bad!
Jeff B
11/17/08 7:40amLet’s worry about taking care of our own business first and then let the chips fall where they may.
Townsend
11/17/08 9:22amI have NO PROBLEM rooting for Michigan because it could greatly benefit MSU getting to it’s 1st Rose Bowl in 2 decades. Maybe I’m the wrong one to ask, because I’m not as wrapped up, and totally live my life by, hating UM as some Spartans seems to be (and to whom I say, ‘get a life’, you attend/attended a great university as well, so why do you care so much?). People like ‘no way in hell’ are so totally myopic and foolish, they’d prefer to see our school make the Rose Bowl than root for UM just this one PLEASE, GET A LIFE! (and a clue) … So put emotions aside and think about what’s best for MSU’s football program, and clearly a UM win over OSU would be gigantic for us… so for this week: GO BLUE!!!!
...View full comment »
David
11/17/08 10:04amI think Sparty is going to need all the mojo I can muster to beat Penn State. I’m not keeping anything in reserve, and so won’t be able to send any down to the OSU/U-M game. If we are meant to return to Pasadena, so be it.
OhioSparty
11/17/08 10:08amMy rule is that I never root FOR Michigan – I just can’t bring myself to go that far – but, this Saturday, I will definitely be rooting AGAINST the Buckeyes! Go GREEN!!
Chris
11/17/08 10:15amNO. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing someone take that school down brick-by-brick starting with their football team. Go Bucks because a) There is no chance in hell MU is going to win and 2)Rich Rod couldn’t coach the bus driver to even come close to Columbus.
JGatz
11/17/08 10:32amNever! Under No Circumstances. 3 & 9 fits just right for our dear friends. GO GREEN!
Alum
11/17/08 10:39amSome food for thought…
IF you root for UM, yet we lose to Penn State, how long of a shower do you require to wash that filth off of yourself?
IF OSU lays down and allows the Weasels to embarass them, AND we find a way to beat a tough PSU squad, is going to the Rose Bowl for a thorough flogging by USC really worth it?
Don’t get me wrong, nothing I’d like to see more than my Spartans taking their first Rose Bowl trip in over 20 years, but we all know the “Same Old Spartans” chant will rear it’s ugly head faster than Lindsay Lohan can show her cooch in public as soon as USC puts up about 60 on us.
...View full comment »
Tom
11/17/08 10:47amI am hoping by some grace of God that Ohio State doesn’t show up to play on Saturday. Although I don’t hate them, I hope they all come down with some sort of stomach bug and are forced to forfeit. That way, UM will get a “win” but will not have actually beat Ohio State. And, there will be a nice little asterisk next to their 4-8 record.
That’s about as close to hoping anything positive happens to UM as I can get.
'06 Alum
11/17/08 11:51amAlum – Actually it is more likely the Pac-10 champion will be Oregon St. They have the same conference record as USC and hold the tie-breaker, as they beat them. If they can win their remaining 2 games, they’ll be in the Rose Bowl. And remember, Oregon St. lost to Penn St. by 31 points. So I like our chances in that bowl game if it comes to be.
Go Green!!
Chris
11/17/08 12:23pmAre you people crazy???
You would give up a trip to the Rose Bowl (even though we would probably get CRUSHED by USC) that comes along once every TWENTY YEARS just because of a personal grudge against UM??? All you guys are idiots.
Newsflash: Ohio State doesn’t really care for us much more than Michigan. They may have the most disdain for UM, but they really hate the whole state. I think you all could suck it up and live with Michigan beating OSU if it means we make a Rose Bowl (which is a moot point if we lose to PSU). Seriously. What is wrong with you people??
Ash
11/17/08 1:04pmLet’s take care of our own business against Penn before worrying about MU. We take care of that and everything will fall in place….hopefully
Chris Is An Idiot
11/17/08 2:25pmChris, you’re obviously not in the same boat as the rest of us. I cannot imagine rooting for UofM, I hate them that much. Using OSU’s hatred for our state is not a reason for me to root for the most evil school of all time.
But think about it this way; it is, in a sense, a win-win situation for us. If little sister wins, it could invigorate the Spartans, pushing us into a Big-Ten championship.
...View full comment »
Caloysius27
11/17/08 5:56pmIf you stand in a scalding hot shower and watch and root for UofM to win does that make up for your sin?
nyspartan66
11/17/08 7:53pmAre you guys STATE fans??? How can anybody root for U of M?? They have been our rival since I can remember being a STATE fan since 1976. Listen up and listen carefully. There once was a time when I might have rooted for U o M when we needed them to win, but their high mighty attitude is just ….. I can’t say it. But you all know what I am talking about.
...View full comment »
ZT
11/18/08 10:21amI hope Dantonio doesn’t let the players see the results of the U of M OSU game since it is before the Penn St. Game…..unless Michigan wins. Reason being if they know Ohio St. won I feel they may not play as hard, whether they mean to or not. I know it sounds stupid but it can happen.
As far as people complaining about how hard it is to cheer for U of M and we are MSU fans blah blah. The BEST thing for MSU is U of M to beat OSU and us to win. So keeping MSU’s best interest in mind, a Michigan win would be best for us, so for this game suck it up and cheer for them. Look at it as hoping OSU loses more so than U of M wins
Chris H
11/18/08 12:25pmI say root for OSU. It’s kind of a long shot for the Spartans, so why not relish the chance to see UM lose 9 games. Plus, State can still go to a BCS game with a win and an OSU win. It may not be the Rose Bowl, but it would still be a big game. And even if nothing “good” happens this weekend, we’ll still be watching our team on Jan 1st. So, GO BUCKS! F*** Michigan!!!