OT - Travel to MSU game from out-of-state by yourself?

I think if you want to use a hall pass to watch a football game that's perfectly fine. Personally I'd use it for something different but I'm just a pig.

I'm headed up there with my kid to RV at the mall and watch the game. You should make the trip. Stop by and enjoy some damn good scotch/bourbon

I won't be in town that weekend, but if I were, you would be more than welcome in our group for a tailgate, the game, and after.  Yost on game night is something special.  If you'd enjoy it, no reason not to jump at the change.  

When my friends and I are tailgating before home games, we usually look for, single-out, and the mercilessly bully middle aged dads that attend games alone. Wedgies and jokes about your mom are plentiful. I’d advise against it. 

Do it, man! As the kids age free time is even harder to come by. Trust me on this!

🤣🤣🤣

Yes you should still go! I'm also married with 3 young kids and going to a Michigan game by myself sounds fucking amazing. 

But yes, I have done this before but only for away games. I've always found fellow M fans to take me into their group at a bar or tailgate. 

You already know the answer--you just need to listen to that voice inside you.  You will have the opportunity to meet and spend time with a few of the 100,000 friends united in the common desire to taste Sparty tears.

Go - if you can figure out a way to get someone to watch your kids bring your wife or invite an old friend to meet you or go alone

and enjoy the hockey game and the football game.  Use the time to see campus/Schembechler Hall.  Walk around the stadium.  Walk around campus.  Enjoy the hospitality of the tailgaters.  Laugh at the MSU fans.

100% do it. It's not even close. You don't need people to have a good time. I went to Iowa and Indiana alone this year. I went to the NCAA Tournament alone last year. I go to most of the home games alone. It's better in a lot of ways - obviously going with others is better in other ways. My point is, don't let the absence of a buddy prevent you from going. 

I've travelled by just myself for games (both home and road) lots of times ---- including once earlier this year.  I live in California, like you, and am in your age range too.

It's a lot of fun!  Do it - meet some new friends!

For a more philosophical answer --- I also think that meeting and interacting with strangers is good practice for keeping the soul young.

Can't say I've specifically gone out-of-state by myself for a game, but I have for a ticketed event, so close enough. I was in my mid-20s and just made some friends with drunk people wherever I'd go and join the party from there, but being a bit older I imagine that's a little much. I still would recommend it and, at this point in my life, I would probably enjoy doing it low-key: having some good drinks and food and catching the games sounds great.

If you aren't in that seat a Sparty might wind up sitting in it. Could you ever forgive yourself?

I did this exactly once.  In the pre-pandemic days, I had a streak of having attended a college football game every year of my life.  2014 was rapidly coming to a close, and even though the team was a mess, I had the streak to think of, so I bought two tickets online to the Maryland game for like $20 total and drove up from Cincinnati on my own.

Halfway there, I realized my Volt had no heat (that's a much longer story) but I figured I was committed.  Grabbed lunch with a friend at Frita Baditos.  Afterwards he went to a crab boil, I went to the game.  (It turns out my future wife was at the crab boil and we could've met 2 years sooner than we did.  Huge missed opportunity.)

It rained.  It was about 40 degrees by halftime.  We lost to Maryland.  Soaked to the bone, I had no heat in my car for the four hour drive home.  I stopped at the Culver's in Findlay just to sit someplace warm for a bit.  At a gas station in Troy, OH, some OSU fan with a mullet and a Trans-Am (not kidding) asked me if I lost a bet to have to wear all that Michigan gear.

It was the worst gameday experience of my life, but I'd do that all again in a heartbeat for the privilege of supporting Michigan.

You should go.

Consider taking one kid if remotely old enough. I started when kids were around 4. Start young, create memories. And it was successful: they are all Michigan fans! Though so far, I am 0/2 for a kid attending Michigan with one more to come (first one got in but chose somewhere else, second didn't even apply!).

I'll go with you! You pay and I'll keep you company!

Through 25+ yrs of marriage and kids I really learned to appreciate the rare day off on a business trip where I was alone and the agenda was all mine.   
 

That being said my wife and I are packing for an early flight to Detroit tomorrow for a long weekend, lots of family flying in, hockey on Friday night and PSU Saturday.

Both work.  GO and have a great time!!!

Interesting. I'd be much more likely to have fun going to a game solo than with other people.

If you will enjoy yourself and don’t need an immediate relation (blood or otherwise), then I say go for it.  It’s very little removed from watching the game at home alone in those terms.  In all likelihood you’ll be able to talk to some of the other fans around you and enjoy the pageantry and in game atmosphere regardless.  

Yes, go!

You should absolutely go! 100% no doubt!

i would go alone in a heartbeat. especially Yost. great atmosphere.

if it just feels weird you're dying to have someone join you in AA, go anyways. it's pretty easy to make friends with the folks sitting next to you.

or if you're not that outgoing, i'll do the three hour drive and meet up with you somewhere. you buy the tix for FB and Hockey, I'll get dinner / drinks.

Do it.   Also, do something really crazy to get yourself on TV.

Don't get thrown in jail though, since nobody is with you to bail you out.

I say go for it. A couple years ago I was able to get a ticket to see the Gators play in the swamp. VetTix came through against Mighty Charleston Southern. My wife and kids were out of town visiting grandparents and I couldn’t find anyone to go with here in Jax. Long story short, drove myself to Gainsville and had a blast anyway. I realize it’s not out of state but I would do the same thing to see Georgia play, fwiw. 

I am a season ticket holder, and now - have two students at Michigan.   Though my wife and I try to attend games together, certain things at home necessitate that I attend games occasionally on my own.  It is fantastic - with, or without, my wife.

My home is in the Chicago area - so, though I'm not as far away as you are - technically, I am "out of state."

In a few years - those three young kids of yours will keep you even busier.  And, should they attend Michigan, you will find out that they have their own plans on most game days, so - though they will stop by the tailgate - they won't be there for a long time (60 minutes or more) - unless it's a night game - and, of course, they'll bring their friends (and friends parents - on Parents weekend, which is even more fun.

My perspective is - "GO".  If you have Hockey tickets already - that's something you definitely want to take advantage of and enjoy as much of the campus and game day as you can.

The only question I'd ask is - do you have a place to stay?  And, as you may know - hotels in / near Ann Arbor can have limited availability on football weekends, and - they charge a premium for staying there.  I have found that places in / near Livonia work out well - a fair balance between distance and cost.

If you decide to go - please start another comment.  We almost always tailgate in the Blue Lot adjacent to the Stadium, not too far away from the northeast corner / student entrance.  And, you would be welcome to join us.

Go Blue!

You should go for sure. I've done it and while I usually have other family and friends at the game I have totally gone by myself and had a great time. Actually the terrible msu game we shall not speak of is a game that none of my friends or family were at and I went totally by myself. As long as you are a cool and normal human you will be able to have some drinks, make friends, and enjoy yourself even by yourself :)

I went back to the Michigan State game solo for Harbaugh's first year. From Illinois, so not remotely the same distance, but I had a lot of fun. Not as nice as it would have been to go with friends, but I made my plans late and my close friend who was debating going with me decided against it at the last second, so I was solo and still had a great time. It was really fun to be back on campus, and if you can get in a hockey game that's a great bonus.

As others have mentioned, at this age (I'm similar with young kids), away time is great, and I honestly think if the trip sounds fun to you, you should do it (and if it seems like it wouldn't be fun because of the long travel, be honest with yourself about that too). But your spouse seems great, so be thankful for the love and time off. And make sure you're being thoughtful of ways to give them time off as well. This time of life with young kids is awesome and exhausting, and it's the best to have a partner where you can both look out for each other.

Do it!

I have sort of attended a Michigan game by myself.  My wife and kids "watched" the MSU typhoon game in the concourse...while I sat tented under my poncho.

I've gone to quite a few concerts by myself.  My musical tastes don't align with that of most of my friends - and my wife isn't a big fan of the crowds or noise.  Always have a nice time.  A little alone time is good for the soul.  Allows you to really focus on the event...rather than worrying about entertaining the people you're with.

If you decide to attend, make sure you put up another post the week before the game.  I'm sure quite a few of your fellow mgobloggers will invite you to their tailgates!

Also, I might have one or two extra tickets to the MSU game...as both of my kids are now at U of M and thus have their own student tickets.  I'd be happy to have you sit with my wife and I.  I'll know for sure re: the ticket the week before the game.

Go Blue! 

I've traveled from out-of-state to go to a game by myself but I live in Michigan now so not often.  The last time I did it was when I drove to Cincinnati to see Michigan play Notre Dame in hockey playoffs.  I think it was 2016.

I sometimes go to games in Ann Arbor by myself but usually for something other than football.  The way I look at it is that I often watch on TV by myself and I like going more than watching on TV so why not.  Often other fans will chat with you and it is still a good experience.  My wife really doesn't like it but she will go to one game a year.  My older daughter loves going with me but she lives out-of-town so isn't always around.  My younger daughter went to the dark side and would probably prefer us to lose.

The last time I went to football by myself was the 2019 Notre Dame game.  My wife was supposed to go but refused to get soaked and I couldn't find anyone who was willing to get wet.  I went because I would have been pissed if I saw us blow them out from home.  I'm glad I went.  The question to ask is will you be happy watching us destroy Staee from the couch or will you wish you were there.

Don't go. Someone has to be the contrarian and keep this thread from being unanimous.