Dennis Fithian: Why I Root For The Wolverines
Why I like the Michigan Wolverines: Growing up in Michigan in the 70's as a youngster -- Michigan State football never stood a chance with me. Of course, it was all Michigan. Bo vs Woody. I had nothing against Michigan State football – it's just that the Wolverines were THE team.
Why I don't like Michigan State: The first time I recall a dislike for Michigan State football is when I was a senior in high school.. I never really had a problem with the Spartans till 1988. That year State went to the Rose Bowl. Being a Michigan fan, that really ticked me off. I haven't liked State ever since.
When Michigan plays Michigan State: The Michigan vs. State rivalry brings out the best and worst in my friends. For me there are positives and negatives. I love the tailgating in East Lansing and Ann Arbor it has always been a great time over the years. On the other side, what I hate the most is having to defend my fandom of the Wolverines. I have a degree from Eastern Michigan. I have never attended the University of Michigan. I am a Michigan football fan. There are some who will never understand this.
My top four favorite games in the series:
1. Sat, Oct. 25, 1997, Michigan at Michigan State 23-7 UM
It's no surprise that I would go with the Wolverines National Championship season. I had great seats in the stands in the lower bowl in Spartan Stadium. I can remember UM picked off MSU's QB like six or seven times. Wolverines fans around me kept yelling, "Throw again Shultz, throw it again." Most people would remember the game for Charles Woodson's one handed side line pick off. I was right on the out-of-bounds line in the stands. Still one of the most remarkable plays I have ever seen. You had to see it to believe it.
2. Sat, Oct. 30, 2004, Michigan State at Michigan 45-37 UM
Tons of Michigan fans started leaving with less than nine minutes to go in the fourth and UM trailing 27-10. One of the great performances was put in by Drew Stanton in the first half. I had a great "seat" in the fourth quarter in the back of the end zone. Crazy win. Never leave a Michigan game early.
3. Sat, Oct. 9, 1999, Michigan at Michigan State 34-31 MSU
This game was an absolute classic. Tom Brady started the first quarter and Drew Henson started the second quarter. Henson tossed a TD pass so he got the nod to start the second half for the Wolverines. UM fans have always argued that if Brady would have started instead of having to come on in relief of Henson in the second half that UM would have won. It's a good argument because Brady did rally UM and Henson threw a pick. However, I always thought that it was the MSU defense that won that game, it wouldn't have mattered if it was Henson or Brady starting the second half. It was one of the most dominating performances I've ever seen. Plaxico Burress 255 yd rec yards was simply spectacular.
4. Sat, Nov. 3, 2001, Michigan at Michigan State MSU 26-24 MSU
I hated the last play, but loved the entire game. Simply, one of my favorite days of my life. Had an RV and pulled into East Lansing the night before. Great parties, wonderful weather, and an awesome game. I've never, "blamed" Spartan Bob for cheating Michigan in that game, but I've never seen an official dive over a pile to get the ball spotted. Which helped MSU get that final play to Duckett.
