Tips for surviving East Lansing
I know many user of this forum have made the trip to East Lansing for the game over the years, but I have yet to do that. The tickets seem relatively cheap online right now since Sparty is in a nose dive so I am considering making the trip to watch our boys on the road. I am basically looking for tips and advice based on experience from those who have gone there before .
How hostile should I expect the environment to be? Is this an away venue I could bring my wife? Are there any Wolverine friendly or neutral places to eat in town?
October 5th, 2023 at 8:16 AM ^
Environment? Poor. Bring wife? Maybe re-think that. M friendly places to eat? Probably none.
I think the MSU fan base at the game goes one of two ways. 1. They're even more riled up than usual as the pent-up aggression from getting their teeth kicked in numerous times this year finally comes to a head when they're down 31-0. Or 2. They're docile little kittens (and there are a total of 7 MSU fans left) after getting their teeth kicked in numerous times this year and being down 31-0 to us is the final tooth knocked out before they turn into full gummers.
October 5th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
I would say:
1. Don't go
2. Don't go
3. Hazmat suit with Kyle Rittenhouse as bodyguard.
October 5th, 2023 at 12:18 PM ^
Absolutely go, donned head to toe in Michigan gear.... but, all evidence of Wolverines on your car, should be removed or hidden, lest you want it keyed or vandalized. Thats what I had to do when visiting Columbus.
October 5th, 2023 at 1:25 PM ^
I like your style, Dude, but I think if there's still any Urban-to-MSU hype, which many of them will believe reflexively no matter how transparently bogus, they could still be pretty jacked even if they're 2-4 with a loss to Rutgers. They'd take 49-3 again, on their own field this time, if they still think Urban is coming which means they'll also believe they're winning the next 6-7 against Michigan anyway so what's one last beating this year.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:17 AM ^
Sorry, the title made me think of Cube. Seems fitting, though:
How to survive in South Central (what you do?)
A place where bustin a cap is fundamental
No, you can't find the shit in a handbook
Take a close look, at a rap crook
Rule number one: get yourself a gun...
October 5th, 2023 at 8:17 AM ^
You're not waking into a war zone for Christs sake
October 5th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
I read that as, “not whacking into a war zone” and I was going to disagree.
On a more serious note go to MSU and have fun and be respectful and you will be fine.
October 5th, 2023 at 10:55 PM ^
Mel Tucker definitely was caught wacking. And it started a couch-fire war in Spartyville.
October 5th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
Yeah it’s so overblown. Most tailgates are mixed that day as family & friend groups tend to have both Spartans & Wolverines. I’ll be tailgating with my cousins & friends who went to MSU for example.
October 5th, 2023 at 12:53 PM ^
Totally agree, though I will say that I once was walking around their campus in the late summer (before most undergrads were on campus) with a Michigan hat on I had someone throw a battery at me from their car and another yell a pretty homophobic diatribe (credit to him for getting most of the punctuation correct) as I passed his house. Again, a different time and place but it is a fanbase that can see red at times about UM and so while I doubt anything happens its also not, say, going to Nebraska or Iowa in terms of fanbases having a clear distinction between sport and reality.
October 5th, 2023 at 11:23 PM ^
I went in 2021 (yeah, it sucked) and had no issues. You get plenty of friendly trash talk and some not so friendly trash talk, but it's nowhere near as hostile as people say. Anyone who is comfortable with some colorful verbal sparring can handle it.
OP, I don't have food/tailgating recommendations, but you should go unless you guys will be rattled by a few lighthearted "fuck Michigan"s
October 5th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
Yeah I doubt you’ll get a rabid fanbase with the team they are putting on the field this year. Probably be more Michigan fans or close to it.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:33 AM ^
I know right now they're all down and acting like the Michigan game will a bloodbath. But when we get to game week, I assure you, they're going to start to get delusional and believe in Dantonio magic and convince themselves they have a puncher's chance and tap into whatever hate-reserves they have.
October 5th, 2023 at 12:33 PM ^
Or a chance to punch? Or step on a neck?
October 5th, 2023 at 8:25 AM ^
The last time I went, there were so many Michigan fans there that I did not have any issues. As for where to eat, I think the farther from campus you go the better off you are. My personal recommendation would be Meat BBQ in Old Town Lansing.
October 5th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
Meat BBQ.👏👏👏👏
October 5th, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^
Isn’t this what got Tugger fired?
October 5th, 2023 at 8:25 AM ^
Just carry a sign that says "Mel, phone sex used to cost $9.95 not $95 million"
and you'll be fine
October 5th, 2023 at 8:25 AM ^
I've been up there a few times for games and haven't had any problems at all. I've had more problems with state fans in Ann Arbor than going to games in East Lansing. I don't think it will be that crazy this year with State coming in on a huge losing streak and losing their coach to masturbations problems. Not much talk trash about. I wouldn't worry about it.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
The sparty fans in Ann Arbor last fall were obnoxious, to say the least. They were loud and cocky as they walked our streets near the stadium and they were everywhere.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:43 AM ^
I don't remember the year, but one year after they beat us in Ann Arbor state fans were pouring beer on people after the game. I watched the trouble with snap game at a Bar Louie and the streets were full of fights after the game. My wife and I got out of there quickly thinking there was about to be a full riot.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
If Michigan fans go in droves so that 1/3rd of that stadium is wearing Maize and Blue, then it would not be a hostile environment. Same applies to going to any eatery in E Lansing, the more Michigan fans, the merrier.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
How hostile should I expect the environment to be?
Pretty hostile. But like almost everywhere, if you're thick skinned and smart, it's fine.
Is this an away venue I could bring my wife?
Honestly I don't understand this question. I mean, if that's a question, then I guess the answer is don't bring her. But most of the women and children at the game will survive.
Are there any Wolverine friendly or neutral places to eat in town?
There will be tons of Michigan fans. Strength in numbers. There isn't a special safe zone, though.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:33 AM ^
I should clarify regarding brining the family. I don't feel like my or her safety would be in danger but if drunk Spartan fans are being obnoxious it just wouldn't be a fun time for her whereas I just wouldn't give them any attention. We sat in the Iowa fan section in Indy and it was totally chill I just don't know how Spartan fans would act.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:39 AM ^
You cannot count on them to be chill. Obviously there are a lot of normal Spartan fans. But there are also a lot who cannot control themselves around Michigan.
I'm guessing you don't have a group of Sparty friends to go with. It would be a lot better if you were hanging out in a mixed group.
October 5th, 2023 at 12:20 PM ^
Bring the family absolutely... good life lesson for kids, when they see how Sparty behaves.
October 5th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
The problem with brining your family is that excessive exposure to a saline solution will make them retain too much moisture and possibly make them too tender to withstand a night game in East Lansing.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
Well, to be fair, he shouldn't bring his wife if Urbz is up there interviewing.
October 5th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Genesis 12:10 says: now there was a famine in Ann Arbor. And when Michigan Mike left for E Lansing he said to his wife "you are a beautiful woman and when the E Lansians see you they will surely kill me. Say you are my sister, that my life may be spared.
It's a loose translation but that's more or less how the story goes.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
Tickets are cheap because their fans don't want to be in the stadium after the last 3 weeks. Spartan Stadium was empty by halftime against both Washington and Maryland. Expect the same if its an uncompetitive game. I'm not even sure their fans remember the tunnel incident at this point due to the circumstances of their season. They might drum up some hate for a quarter but I'm guessing M fans overrun EL this year.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:35 AM ^
Sparty has some of the finest bandwagon fans in the land.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:57 AM ^
Wait for them to lose to Rutgers and the tickets will be dirt cheap.
October 5th, 2023 at 9:18 AM ^
LOL. I forgot about that possibility. They will be in a shell for UM game if that happens.
October 5th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
50 yard line tickets can be had for $200 right now. 3 weeks before kickoff that is already dirt cheap for this game. And who is gonna pay $200 for that ticket after the last couple of weeks? That market is probably 90% U of M fans - I don't see Sparty's shelling out the amount to watch a quarter and then leave.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:31 AM ^
Let's fill the shithole up with maize and blue!!! I'm goin'!
October 5th, 2023 at 8:35 AM ^
As someone who has some fairly delicate sensibilities when it comes to cleanliness the most hostile part of being there, for me, was the stadium itself.
That place is fuckin' gross.
If you can walk out of that dumpster of a facility and still have something of an appetite, +1 for Meat BBQ. I've been out quite a few times in Lansing/EL and that's the most noteworthy food related activity I've had.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:37 AM ^
Hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband too, cuz they’re throwing batteries at everyone up in here
October 5th, 2023 at 9:06 AM ^
Valenti and Rico are absolutely horrible
October 5th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
Not up in here!
October 5th, 2023 at 8:38 AM ^
If you keep your head down and have a good attitude about it, you'll be fine. There will be people who yell or maybe get a little too close, but so long as you're not escalating people won't hit you with batteries (unless they're Valenti). As for your wife, I mean people are going to scream fuck and shit. Nothing adults haven't heard before. They may be a few comments about her that come up, in the normal meathead football fan way.
As for food, I just wouldn't eat in East Lansing (I grew up there). Mostly because East Lansing doesn't really have all that great of a food scene. Go to Okemos or Eastwood Town Centre off 127 to get away from campus and find equally decent food options.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:40 AM ^
Hockey goalie equipment attire. Snack bars of your own for nourishment. Bugout bag. Satellite phone programmed already for 911.
Mike Hart utterances to set off Mork Bucktonio and you're off.
At games end don't act happy, you are not a matador.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:42 AM ^
Never been there but after what happened last year and the beatdown they're about to take this year, I wouldn't want to park my car anywhere near their fans.
October 5th, 2023 at 6:01 PM ^
You leaving fan plural I'm sure was just an oversight.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:44 AM ^
I've went to every msu game since the early 90s. Just don't let them drag you down to their level and you will be fine.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:47 AM ^
Have been to EL before for the game (and gone to many other M/Lions away games). In general, people aren't going to go out of the way to antagonize you more than the usual ribbing/trash talk. Just be respectful and friendly and keep to yourselves. Don't go over the top celebrating your team in the stands or be turning around to single people out/invite attention. The most ribbing you'll get is before/after the game but that's just part of it. Bring your wife if she can handle getting a few "fuck you"s on the way to your seats. Have fun!
October 5th, 2023 at 8:58 AM ^
And if you really want to avoid conflict don't wear Michigan gear, but that's kind of lame.
October 5th, 2023 at 9:18 AM ^
"Just be respectful and friendly and keep to yourselves. Don't go over the top celebrating your team in the stands or be turning around to single people out/invite attention."
I agree. It's pretty simple. As others have noted, there will be lots of Michigan fans at the game.
At a recent away game (Nebraska) I was seated next to a foursome of twentysomething meatheads with Michigan gear. These are the kind of people who start the "It's great, to be, a Michigan Wolverine!" cheer every couple of minutes on their way to their seats. They were talking to Nebraska fans and wondering why anyone could regard them with hostility. No self-awareness at all ...
Side notes: Nebraska fans really are nice. I don't mean that in a "Minnesota nice" way. They seemed pretty relaxed and OK with any outcome. Maybe they've been beaten down. On the other side, Michigan's traveling fan base has a lot of dipshits. I suppose that's true for every team.
October 5th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
Yeah, just don't be an obnoxious jerk in the stands and, while you might catch an occasional "Fuck Michigan" from someone walking by, it will be fine.
On the traveling fan base dipshit front, I was at the Saquon Penn State game and there were similar fans to the ones you describe above incessantly chanting "Joe Pa knew." Which was both really annoying because it's not even catchy, and gross to see the transformation of something truly awful into sports rivalry material. They had a bunch of Penn State in their faces as the game went south and were acting all upset about it. As you said, no self-awareness.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:48 AM ^
Be sure to boil all tap water before consuming.
October 5th, 2023 at 8:51 AM ^
There's no good time to watch a game in the Giant Parking Structure, especially when their dobbers are down but their resentment is up. Put your resources into going to another away venue. We went to Iowa last year and it was a nice. (Factually speaking, the only way to describe the campus, the stadium, the fans, and the bars/restaurants in Iowa City is nice. Just......nice.)