The Michigan-Michigan State Rivalry Has Changed For Good

The last seven days have been as tragic as any week that I can remember in my lifetime for the residents of Michigan. After Monday’s horrific shooting at Michigan State University, many are shaken up, and rightfully so. Still, through the tragedy, the tears, the cries for change, and more, one thing has stood out in particular: the community has come together like it never has before. It is clear that the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has changed, and at this point, there is no going back to how things were.

Michigan-Michigan State Rivalry Was Getting Ugly

There’s no denying that, over the past few years, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has gotten out of hand. From on-field issues — such as Devin Bush kicking the Spartan logo in 2018 — to off-field problems like the tunnel incident in 2022, the rivalry has gotten hotter than ever. Even off of the field, fans on social media and in real life have frequently taken things too far; after all, it is just a game between two fantastic in-state schools.

What happened on Monday was horrific, though through the darkness that it brought, the beauty of humanity has shinned through. This week, all Michiganders put their differences aside to honor, stand with, and support one another in this time of need. It has been an incredible sight, and was on full display on the campuses of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan throughout the week.

Michigan Athletics Honors Michigan State

This week, Michigan athletics has been doing its best to show that the UM community stands with MSU. All of Michigan’s teams have been wearing some form of Green and White — mostly in the form of helmet stickers, which feature a Spartan logo inside of a green heart.

Last night, for the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry basketball game at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan’s support of Michigan State was on full display in an emotional night for both fanbases. From banners to shirts to lighting the Crisler Center with Green and White, it was clear that the University of Michigan had one goal in mind: show unity with its brothers to the north.

The Rivalry Will Never Be The Same

After what we have all seen throughout this week, it is clear that the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has changed for good. The “Little Brother” chants have turned into “Love you, brother,” and the animosity between the two has seemingly faded. Michigan Wolverines fans have been wearing Green and White all week — why? Because in times of need family comes together.

For many of us in the Michigan community, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is fun because it is with friends, family, co-workers, and more; however, as of late, the fun aspect of the rivalry seemingly faded away. After what the state has been through this week, the things that I have seen members of our great community do, and more, I simply cannot imagine the rivalry going back to the way it was. I am sure the banter will return, though the sheer hatred that I witnessed between the two should be long gone by now.

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