An honest debate: Michigan and/or Michigan State?

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February 8th, 2013 at 11:40 PM
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Sir Guy
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Joined: 01/10/2011
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An honest debate: Michigan and/or Michigan State?

I am a Michigan fan.  But, I would like to pose a question to the MGoCommunity.  Is it an acceptable practice to be a fan of both Michigan and Michigan State?  As usual for this site, I would like an honest debate, or a real consensus.  His argument is as follows.

 

I like both Michigan and Michigan State athletics.  My reasons: First, I grew up in West Michigan, and the area does not have a strong allegiance to either school.  Sure you will find the die hards to both schools, but West Michigan does not have a strong allegiance to one over the other.  Further, my parents did not have a preference either.  So, I being the avid sports fan that I am, found myself enjoying every game that both Michigan and Michigan State played.  When I was in Middle School I tried to like Michigan over MSU.  However, I found myself still rooting for MSU whenever they played.  As a result, I took this as a sign and tried to like just MSU, but ran into the same problem.  I still rooted for Michigan.  Even worse, I couldn't choose when they played against each other.  I would have friends ask me, "well who do you want to win then?"  And I would just have to say, "well I really do like both, and since I like both, and I want the Big 10 represented well in the year end tournaments, I guess I would like to see the team doing well have a chance to play in the big game."  Yes, I know what you are all thinking.. This guy is a bandwagon fan.  But let me assure you, its not so much that I am just rooting for the better team.  Its more that I just want to see both teams do well.  And if one of them has a chance to win the championship, you'd better believe I'd rather have atleast one team from Michigan representing than neither.  In the end, I like both partly cause I was not brought up to like one over the other, and also because I love sports and love to watch both teams.  I realize its an anomaly, but I truly have never been able to choose.  Thus, I root for both teams and follow both teams well.  It may be frustrating to the die hards, but its even more frustrating when I am trying to watch a Michigan game or a State game and have fans from either side telling me to shut up because I'm not a "true fan." It may be odd, but I am a true fan of both schools. 

 

And so I ask the community?  Is this acceptable, or must he choose a side?

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

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February 8th, 2013 at 11:43 PM | (No subject) (Score:1 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: -9994437

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

February 9th, 2013 at 12:26 AM | Please tell me that's (Score:5 Normal)
Hobbes217
Joined: 01/05/2012
MGoPoints: 188

Please tell me that's photoshopped.

 

EDIT: This comment would make more sense if you could actually see the picture.

February 8th, 2013 at 11:45 PM | If you don't like sports, it (Score:5 Normal)
coldnjl
Joined: 12/31/2009
MGoPoints: 2427

If you don't like sports, it is totally acceptable to me to like both...however, if you love collegiate sports, you need to have a rooting interest here...no Terry Foster fan of the state BS

February 8th, 2013 at 11:45 PM | No (Score:4 Normal)
UMxWolverines
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Joined: 03/01/2009
MGoPoints: 5246

They are rivals. Not as big of rivals as Michigan and Ohio, but they're rivals nonetheless.

"Ohio is like a giant turd that Michigan just can't pinch off"

February 9th, 2013 at 3:12 AM | Disagree (Score:-1 Overrated)
February 9th, 2013 at 4:24 AM | crazy talk (Score:5 Normal)
vablue
Joined: 11/28/2011
MGoPoints: 212

To say you can only have one rival defies all logic.  The fact that you call them little brother and that Hoke has a clock up counting down to that game should speak volumes about whether it is a rival or not.  Certainly not the same as Ohio, but still a rival.  I seriously question the statement that "the majority of Michigan Alums do not consider moo u a rival."  I honestly don't know one person I went to school with that would agree with that statement.

February 9th, 2013 at 8:40 AM | Count Bo Schembechler among (Score:5 Normal)
The Barwis Effect
The Barwis Effect's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 2244

Count Bo Schembechler among casual fans then. Of course, what does he know? He went to Miami.

"[T]here were a lot of people predicting glorious heights for Rich; mostly the same people who are predicting doom and gloom [for Hoke]. Excuse me if I doubt their prognostication skills." -- M-Wolverine

February 9th, 2013 at 11:19 AM | Everyone has an (Score:0 Normal)
February 9th, 2013 at 12:38 PM | He's saying most fans, even "Alums" (Score:2 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38826

Probably agree more ith Bo than you. And while it's equally non-quantifiable as what you claim as a statistical fact, it's more likely.

So what happened, did a Spartan steal your bike as a kid? Were you scared by Sparty as a baby? Because for someone you don't consider a rival, you spend a lot of time heaping disdain on them. If they really weren't a rival, you wouldn't care about them. You'd treat them like Purdue. Methinks you doth protest too much.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

February 9th, 2013 at 2:57 PM | Of course not (Score:0 Trolling)
February 9th, 2013 at 3:46 PM | Most alums understand the (Score:3 Normal)
TheLastHoke
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Joined: 08/06/2008
MGoPoints: 3118

Most alums understand the significance of the Michigan State rivalry.

HOKEAMANIA RUNNIN' WILD

Formerly, TheLastProphet

February 9th, 2013 at 8:19 PM | Let me know when you run that poll with the Alumni Association (Score:1)
M-Wolverine
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38826

So you can show your "opinion" is "fact."

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

February 9th, 2013 at 1:21 PM | There's probably no one more (Score:2 Normal)
Run 2 Daylight
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Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 2281

There's probably no one more obsessed with Michigan State than you. 

Go Blue!

February 9th, 2013 at 1:39 PM | Michigan State is our rival. (Score:2 Normal)
TheLastHoke
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Joined: 08/06/2008
MGoPoints: 3118

Michigan State is our rival. Get over it.

HOKEAMANIA RUNNIN' WILD

Formerly, TheLastProphet

February 8th, 2013 at 11:46 PM | (No subject) (Score:5 Normal)
M Fanfare
Joined: 08/17/2008
MGoPoints: 1558

Hail to the college whose colors we wear,

Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue!

February 9th, 2013 at 12:57 AM | If my cat looked like that I (Score:5 Normal)
McTreadqueen Fo...
McTreadqueen For President's picture
Joined: 11/30/2012
MGoPoints: 194

If my cat looked like that I would name him "Dantonio".

February 8th, 2013 at 11:49 PM | no, just no (Score:5 Normal)
Lampuki22
Joined: 09/16/2009
MGoPoints: 766

however as a Michigan resident and dad of three somewhat invested in the Michigan Education Trust (prepaid college tuition) my fellow-Michigan-Alum-wife reminds me to tone down the Sparty bashing because there's a good chance one of them will end up there.



I would prefer they join the circus.



February 9th, 2013 at 12:50 PM | Sounds like someone (Score:2)
goblueattorney
goblueattorney's picture
Joined: 10/02/2010
MGoPoints: 420

needs to step it up and start helping with the homework.....

 As a fellow MET investor, I know that you do get the $$ back at the average Michigan tuition rate at that time if your child chooses to go out of state.  So MSU is not the only option... 

February 9th, 2013 at 8:04 PM | MSU is not the only alternative (Score:2)
bringthewood
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Joined: 09/07/2009
MGoPoints: 444

Neither of my kids would even apply to MSU as a backup plan, both chose GVSU as a backup - which is nipping at MSU's heals academically speaking.  One of my kids is at Michigan after a year at GVSU and the other will be at either Michigan or GVSU this fall.  So feel free to bash away!

I tell everyone considering MSU to look at GVSU instead.

"I knew Bo Schembechler and you sir, are no Bo Schembechler!"

February 11th, 2013 at 10:41 AM | Really? (Score:3 Normal)
A Nonymous
Joined: 12/18/2012
MGoPoints: 3

That's like saying MSU is nipping at M's "heels" academically.  MSU is a top 75 National Institution.  In a vacuum MSU is a good/great school.  When you have a one of the best (top 20?) schools in the country less than an hour away I can see how it is overshadowed.

GVSU is #35 in Midwest regional schools.  Behind Kettering, Mercy and M Dearborn to name a few. 

Depending on your major or desired college experience, GVSU may be the right choice over MSU.  GVSU is a fine school in a nice area.  I, along with most rankings, would disagree that MSU and GVSU are on the same level. 

February 8th, 2013 at 11:53 PM | DON'T EVER AND I MEAN EVER (Score:-1 Flamebait)
February 9th, 2013 at 12:05 AM | The only good green and white (Score:5 Normal)
Wolverine Devotee
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Joined: 06/29/2009
MGoPoints: -9994437

The only good green and white is that of Slippery Rock. 

When the ADept sells special jerseys and gear, you'll see my picture next to the targeted customer crowd. A sheep.....but a Blue one.....

February 9th, 2013 at 12:25 AM | I pull for eastern as well. (Score:5 Normal)
Canadian
Joined: 06/02/2012
MGoPoints: 271

I pull for eastern as well.

If you spell Crisler like the car company you should hand in your fan card before the next meeting.... Same goes for Ferry Field

February 9th, 2013 at 2:37 AM | I second Slippery Rock and (Score:3 Normal)
BlueDragon
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Joined: 11/14/2010
MGoPoints: 16716

I second Slippery Rock and EMU, and also add Cleveland State (for your mid-major basketball hipster rooting needs).

Abort, Retry, Fail?

February 9th, 2013 at 8:33 AM | Cleveland state... Located in (Score:1)
Canadian
Joined: 06/02/2012
MGoPoints: 271

Cleveland state... Located in Cleveland which is in Ohio. Nope can't pull for them.

If you spell Crisler like the car company you should hand in your fan card before the next meeting.... Same goes for Ferry Field

February 9th, 2013 at 11:59 AM | Agreed. (Score:0 Trolling)
February 9th, 2013 at 12:07 AM | Something in your post tells (Score:5 Normal)
Lionsfan
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Joined: 06/03/2011
MGoPoints: 3907

Something in your post tells me you probably aren't too great with women

If you're doing nothing, how do you know when you're finished?

StraightDave owes me a steak dinner

February 9th, 2013 at 12:22 AM | Im engaged now actually and am getting (Score:-1 Overrated)
February 9th, 2013 at 12:57 AM | Have you actually seen her? (Score:5 Normal)
M-Wolverine
M-Wolverine's picture
Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38826

Because if you talk that way to her and she's still with you, she might be getting "cancer" soon and have an excuse not to meet you in Hawaii...

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

February 9th, 2013 at 2:04 AM | Weren't you bragging about (Score:5 Normal)
ILwolverine
Joined: 02/24/2011
MGoPoints: 977

Weren't you bragging about getting a girl's number at Les Mis not that long ago?  You guys must have really hit it off. 

This might be arrogant, and if it is, it is, but we're Michigan

February 9th, 2013 at 12:33 PM | I love you. (Score:5 Normal)
M-Wolverine
M-Wolverine's picture
Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38826

"6 weeks 2 days ago I sat next to a DAMN attractive hot blonde
and her friend, got her number after and I'm going out for drinks with her on Friday. This was in my opinion a good move to go see this. To get ass you got to show class lol jk but seriously I don't regret it at all. Her name is Nicole btw and goes to Ohio U. So yeah. Neg me all you want in the end I won :p"

http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/ot-go-see-les-miserables#comment-1852971

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

February 9th, 2013 at 12:20 AM | not speaking from experience are you? (Score:-1 Trolling)
February 9th, 2013 at 7:59 AM | So (Score:2 Normal)
BiSB
BiSB's picture
Joined: 08/15/2009
MGoPoints: 27899

As someone who is married to a Sparty, I suggest that you take caution in your tone, Commander.

They no longer call me Bisbiño

February 8th, 2013 at 11:56 PM | I have been a lifelong (Score:1)
ska2682
Joined: 09/07/2012
MGoPoints: 128

I have been a lifelong Michigan fan. My parents raised me the right way, hate Ohio, hate the Domers, and hate Staeeee. I have tried to instill that same hatred for things not maize and blue in my own two sons. Having said that, I can see where he is coming from. I don't agree with it, but I can see it.

February 8th, 2013 at 11:56 PM | Is that you, Mark? (Score:4 Normal)
brooktrail
Joined: 05/31/2011
MGoPoints: 442

Where is the threat?

February 8th, 2013 at 11:58 PM | Sorry this was meant for that cute cat. (Score:1)
brooktrail
Joined: 05/31/2011
MGoPoints: 442

That thing has such a funny looking face.

February 8th, 2013 at 11:57 PM | If you're not an (Score:5 Normal)
W0lv3r1n3
W0lv3r1n3's picture
Joined: 12/17/2008
MGoPoints: 315

If you're not an alumni/student of either place, I'd say yes. I know plenty of rather serious sports fans who graduated from places like CMU who root for all the Michigan teams. A lot of people enjoy seeing the state of Michigan (or by extension the Big 10) do well against teams from other places, especially the south. 

February 9th, 2013 at 1:08 AM | Yeah, if you're not affiliated with either (Score:1)
M-Wolverine
M-Wolverine's picture
Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 38826

And not really a die hard fan of either team, but just a general sports fans. I mean if you have something like the NBA Ticket and live in the same city as your team, you obviously just like to watch the sport. But those Ames it's natural to root for someone. So if you like college football but went to Wayne State or something and have no family history you could just want to see te local teams do well. But again, you're not really a fan of the teams per se. Like the Chicagoian who roots for the Cubs and White Sox. Or a Jets and Giants fan. Sports fans, locl fans, but not fans of the team.

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

February 9th, 2013 at 12:00 AM | I don't think you can be a die-hard (Score:2)
Space Coyote
Space Coyote's picture
Joined: 06/18/2009
MGoPoints: 4374

I don't think it's acceptable to be say a die-hard Michigan football fan and then a die-hard MSU basketball fan. But if you're a very casual sports fan and have no affiliation with either school, I don't see it as a big problem. It's the same reason most people root for the Lions, because it's close. I can understand someone that isn't terribly invested to just root for the Michigan teams.

But again, if you consider yourself a big sports fan, you can't just bandwagon your way to whatever makes it easier for you. That's not acceptable in my mind.

4/23/13 - Denard Robinson's NFL Future, Part II

February 9th, 2013 at 12:06 AM | He is not a casual sports (Score:0 Redundant)
February 9th, 2013 at 12:17 AM | I can't really get behind that (Score:3 Normal)
Space Coyote
Space Coyote's picture
Joined: 06/18/2009
MGoPoints: 4374

Maybe he's the middle child?

Anyway, I know people that are the same way, and I don't really get it. I mean, I guess I can see not hating both schools (if you have no affiliation but have always lived in Michigan), but I feel like you still have to at least pick a team to get behind more so than the other. 

But as long as we all hate Ohio State, then I guess at least we have common ground.

4/23/13 - Denard Robinson's NFL Future, Part II

February 9th, 2013 at 2:51 AM | Musings -- open to more thoughts (Score:1)
BlueDragon
BlueDragon's picture
Joined: 11/14/2010
MGoPoints: 16716

Anyone's sports preferences are completely arbitrary. Select your most pertinent facts and your team loyalties will follow naturally. For example, I cannot stand Tebow and therefore dislike the Jets as long as he plays for them. As soon as he leaves, my feelings towards that team will veer back towards neutrality over time. It can be something as random as the colleges more of the starters came from (assuming no fantasy football incentivization).

The Michigan connection and our human interactions have much more influence on our team loyalties than many realize. If I see some cutie in a Kentucky hat with a big smile walking my way, well, my comments and body language on Calipari or some other aspects of their program may become more admiring and impressed than skeptical and admonishing. If this friendship blossomed and we became good friends over time, my overall attitude towards UK might shift. It would have to be a very special sort of friendship to justify honestly diluting my loyalty in that way!

That said, I have seen cars with Michigan and Ohio State magnets, equally sized and equally prominent. Stranger team fusions are possible than Michigan and State.

Abort, Retry, Fail?

February 9th, 2013 at 12:00 AM | And some (Score:4 Normal)
oHOWiHATEohioSTATE
Joined: 11/22/2010
MGoPoints: 1371

people say there is no such thing as a stupid question.

If an OSU fan divorces his wife are they still brother and sister?

February 9th, 2013 at 12:01 AM | No (Score:2)
TIMMMAAY
TIMMMAAY's picture
Joined: 09/08/2008
MGoPoints: 5951

No. There's this guy that I work with in a round about sort of way, who proudly proclaimed to a rather large group of people (mostly M fans) that he's a "Michigan fan" except for when they play MSU. I smh.

I can't respect that.

not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user

February 9th, 2013 at 12:07 AM | Uncle (Score:1)
Blue_4_Ever
Joined: 06/23/2011
MGoPoints: 83

Has final four rings with both schools! Not sure how many can say that! Played for Michigan, and is now on the coaching staff at State! Sure, he gets some shit for it...

February 9th, 2013 at 12:13 AM | In the words of Willy Wonka: (Score:4 Normal)
ChopBlock
ChopBlock's picture
Joined: 12/11/2011
MGoPoints: 1502

In the words of Willy Wonka: "But that is called polygamy, my dear children, and is in fact frowned upon in most societies."

"The straightest line from A to B is straight: From A to B"

"When you have Denard Robinson, you can have everything"

~George Walden

February 9th, 2013 at 12:14 AM | I hope state loses any (Score:2)
urGirlfriendsFa...
urGirlfriendsFavPizzaBoi's picture
Joined: 02/23/2012
MGoPoints: 65

I hope state loses any match/game/contest they are affiliated with 

February 9th, 2013 at 12:15 AM | He just needs to listen to his own conscience (Score:1)
DowntownLJB
DowntownLJB's picture
Joined: 10/10/2012
MGoPoints: 95

My nearly 80 yr old dad, lifelong Michigander and sports fan, would probably say something similar. He doesn't have a college degree, and if pressed would probably admit to a small preference for UM (probably in part because of my Sparty bro-in-law who can be the classic insufferable spartan fan), but he'll cheer pretty equally for both schools as the local teams. I was really raised the same way, and don't hate state teams anywhere near as much as I've learned to hate staee fans, though I absolutely bleed maize and blue.

GO BLUE!

February 9th, 2013 at 12:17 AM | I would rather have aids and (Score:2)
dennisblundon
dennisblundon's picture
Joined: 02/23/2010
MGoPoints: 6631

I would rather have aids and not the kind that help you. Just to clear that up for a sparty.

February 9th, 2013 at 12:17 AM | No Man can Serve Two Masters (Score:1)
quiverfull
Joined: 12/21/2011
MGoPoints: 528

he will either hate the one and love the other, or love the one and hate the other.   though i am a 4th gen michigan alum (and have two nieces who are 5th gen), we are a maize and blue household.  but my dad played ball at state and my goddaughter goes there.  so, as long as state fans aren't schlongs i can pull for the green and white assuming of course they aren't playing us or northwestern (where oldest brother played ball). 

Quiverfull

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