Stoney: Memories Of The Rivalry
I moved to Michigan in 1986, with little understanding of the rivalry. Yes, I followed college football, but like most other fans that did not live here, when it came to Big Ten Rivalry's it was Michigan vs. Ohio State and nothing else. It did not take long to figure out what this game meant to the area and to Spartan fans in particular. When I say Spartan fans, please do not take it as a knock. Most Michigan fans look at MSU as their second rival after Ohio State, while for MSU it's all about Michigan.
Once I became entrenched here I soon understood each side and their quirks. It's not brain surgery to figure out that this football game is all about Arrogance vs. Inferiority. Most Michigan fans, believe that their poop does not stink. They think that they are better than MSU supporters, because after all if the Spartans were smart enough they would be in Ann Arbor.
When it comes to football, the decades of dominance since 1970 have made Michigan fans think that they are far superior to their Spartan brethren. It is not until recently that the arrogant Wolverine has even worried about MSU.That has changed since Rich Rodriguez stepped on Michigan's campus and Mark Dantonio showed up in East Lansing. Three straight wins by MSU is enough to have even the most arrogant Wolverine nervous.
MSU on the other hand suffers from the case of classic inferiority. I could never understand why so many Spartans wrapped their whole football well being on how Michigan did. MSU has a gorgeous campus and is also a great University, yet they constantly worry about how they stack up against Michigan. I have met many Spartan fans who were happier that Michigan would lose a game than if the Spartans actually would win. Come on Spartans, stop worrying about Michigan. Why do you care so much? This is something I cannot and will never figure out. The bottom line for me is I can't figure out who is more pathetic, the arrogant Wolverine or the woe is me Spartan.
With that as my psychological backdrop, in chronological order here are my 6 most memorable Michigan-MSU games
1987-MSU 17 Michigan 11 Demetrius Brown throws 7 interceptions. John Miller had 4 of them in a win that helped propel the Spartans to the Rose Bowl.
1990 MSU 28 Michigan 27 Elvis Grbac hits Derek Alexander for a touchdown with less than 10 seconds left. Michigan who was #1 at the time goes for 2. Desmond Howard is either tripped by or got his feet tangled up with Eddie Brown and cant hold the ball MSU wins it.
1997 Michigan 23 MSU 7 Michigan picks off 6 Spartan passes, two of them by Charles Woodson including the famous "one hand how did he get his foot down in bounds one"
2001 MSU 26 Michigan 24 the infamous Spartan Bob clock game. Was the clock stopped to allow Jeff Smoker to spike the ball with one second left? If Jeremy Laseur does not commit a stupid drive continuing penalty, the controversy never occurs. Nonetheless, Smoker hits T.J. Duckett with the touchdown pass as time expires and the Spartans get the win.
2004 Michigan 45 MSU 37 (3 OT) the unbelievable comeback by the Wolverines led by Braylon Edwards 3 touchdowns. We will never know what would have happened if Drew Stanton had not gotten hurt.
2007 Michigan 27 MSU 24 Michigan escapes again with a feverish comeback in Mark Dantonio's first stab at the Paul Bunyan Trophy and Lloyd Carr's last. It was after this game that Mike Hart uttered the legendary "little brother" quote. Michigan has not won since.
