State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer is putting her ice cream where her mouth is this weekend.
The East Lansing Democrat made a friendly wager with Rep. Chris Kolb, D-Ann Arbor, that includes some sweet treats.
If MSU is victorious, Whitmer will get a dozen brownies from Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, and if Michigan wins, Kolb receives a gallon of ice cream from the MSU Dairy Store.
“I think the Spartans are going to come through this weekend,” Whitmer said. “They are pumped up and motivated.”
And there is one more prevision in the bet: The loser will wear the opposing logos and colors on the first day back in session after the game. But Whitmer, who dressed in MSU garb Thursday, remains confident she won’t be wearing maize and blue anytime soon.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been going to MSU games,” said Whitmer, who is predicting a 24-21 MSU win. “My blood is green.”
Kolb, who represents U-M, said this is his favorite game of the year, and he doesn’t expect his Wolverines to let him down.
“It is always fun when Michigan gets to spank MSU at their home field,” said Kolb.
Kolb said putting his brownies on Michigan is a safe bet.
“This is a no-brainer,” said Kolb, who predicted a 24-17 U-M win. “I’m confident that my maize ’n’ blue team is going to come out on top.”
“When you were born at the U-M Hospital, you have maize and blue blood.”
The friendly wagers are continuing in local politics.
East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows hasn’t forgotten the embarrassment of his lost bet during MSU’s 14-0 loss to U-M during the 2000 season.
“Last year I had to sing the (U-M) fight song at the city council meeting,” he said. “That was probably my worst council meeting ever, and it wasn’t too pleasant for anyone who had to listen to me sing.
“I was looking forward to showing up in Ann Arbor with the Spartan Marching band for accompaniment.”
This year, though the mayor of Ann Arbor has changed, the bet has not.
The losing mayor will have to wear the colors of the opposing school at his next city council meeting, play the opposing team’s fight song and fly the opposing school’s flag above City Hall for 24 hours.
Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje said though this is his first East Lansing vs. Ann Arbor football challenge, he’s excited.
“I know this is always a really hard fought game and it doesn’t matter what the records are going in,” Hieftje said. “We have two good teams again but I see Michigan squeaking this one out.”
For Meadows the key difference is no singing will be involved for the loser.
“That’s a relief for me and anyone who has ever heard me sing,” Meadows said.
But don’t think that means East Lansing’s mayor is giving up so soon. He still believes MSU will triumph.
“We’re really playing pretty well and U-M is playing well too,” he said. “Everybody is always sky-high for this match up but I think we can pull it off.”
