Coming up with a good nickname for the UM-MSU game ("Sibling Rivalry"?)

Submitted by Communist Football on

(I edited the title of the post to reflect the fact that "Sibling Rivalry" appears to have taken off -- see comments below.)

It seems we now call the UM-OSU game "The Game" -- which to me was always Harvard vs. Yale, but Wikipedia says we can share it.

But what do we call the MSU game? I've heard some people call it the "Backyard Brawl" but to me that is Pitt-West Virginia. Come on people, we're Michigan, surely we don't have to borrow other games' nicknames? I'm thinking the MGoCommunity can come up with a better one.

Keith Jackson called it "The Annual Ruckus" UM-MSU in the intro to the 1990 UM-MSU game (the one in which Desmond Howard got tripped going for the two-point conversion at the end).

It's at the 0:30 mark of this video:

Who knows, maybe it's a dumb idea. But if Keith Jackson can name the Big House, perhaps he can also name the UM-MSU game? Or maybe Little Brother is so lame we shouldn't give them the credit of trying to name the game. Thoughts?

Rescue_Dawn

October 7th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^

Thank you, Thank you....

I couldn't have done it without you all.....first I would like to thank Sparty fans for being douches and inspiring me.  I would also like to thank the OP for taking time to post this topic.  Lastly, I would like to thank my employer for not blocking this site, and turning a blind eye to my lack of production.  God bless!

Talpostal

October 7th, 2010 at 9:41 AM ^

Not all teams need mascots, not all stadiums need nicknames, and certainly all rivalries don't need names.

 

I preferred when Michigan-OSU was just Michigan-OSU

#getoffmylawn

elvis056

October 7th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^

What is up with term Walmart Wolverine?  MSU wishes they had as much of a fan base than UofM.  Maybe we should start calling them "Salvation Army Sparty"!

Dan TrueBlue

October 7th, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^

The Calm before the Riot

Actually, I do like the Sibling Rivalry too, from above.  The Ruckus is decent too, because of all the chaos in that game (timekeepers, burning couches...), but probably wouldn't stick.

Evelkniebler Elf

October 7th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^

The Annual Ruckus seems fitting.  Spartan fans always get all riled up about it and then usually wind down from a loss with a long weekend of drinking and couch burning.  Just like real little brothers they cause a ruckus, you put them in their place, and they somewhat behave until you decide you need to put them in their place again.

moredamnsound

October 7th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^

"The game that if Michigan wins it's not really a big deal because it was State in the first place, but if Sparty wins it's the greatest game ever and is worthy of talking about nonstop for the next year."

Too long, I know

Seth

October 7th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^

I've got nothing against coming up with a name for it. "The Sibling Rivalry" is as good as any.

Just throwing out a couple:

  • Brother vs. Brah (or Bro v. Brah, etc.)
  • Battle of the Brothers
  • The Great Lakes Hate
  • The Battle of U.S. 23 and I-96, Which Are Both Under Construction
  • Some  Saturday in October or November
  • The Big Game for Michigan State
  • The Michigan/State Game
  • Something to do Before Deer Season
  • The Baaaaaaattle for Michigaaaaan(get it? you gotta say it with a Michgan short-a aaaaaaccent)
  • Winner Gets a Pastie
  • The Fire Millen! Game
  • The Hand Game (cause hand=michigan, and the "hand game" is when we point to our hands to show where we live -- okay, if it needs an explanation it probably sucks)
  • Trolls vs. Fudgies (if we let the Yoopers name it)
  • The World's Largest Euchre Tournament
  • The College Football Game Where Everyone is Most Likely to Recycle Their Pop Cans
  • Cows vs. Trees
  • A Game Which Once Every 50 Years is Actually Competitive Enough That People Start Trying to Come Up With Names for the Rivalry.

Number 7

October 7th, 2010 at 11:01 AM ^

+1 with clanging bells. Superb work. I love the idea of laying claim to "sibling rivalry" (note to mgoshirt -- copyright that sucker and start printing!). But the I-96/I-23 one (to which my non-Michigander wife, who rails on Michiganders' friendly verbosity and fascination with directions, might add "so you could also take M-52 and I-94, if you don't mind not being on a real highway") cracks me up, as does "the Big Game for Michigan State."

Dan TrueBlue

October 7th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^

Here's some variations on the ideas above, to make them more specific to us:

  • Family Fight - Feud is too southern, makes me think Hatfields & McCoys, and game shows
  • Family Fracas - Sounds a little more Ruckus-y, although the State fans would probably have to look it up....
  • Brotherly Brawl - Sibling Rivalry meets Backyard Brawl

Or, for something new, how about:

  • Big Brother Bowl - hmmm...
  • Domestic Dispute - Actually, I like this one