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Michigan vs. Michigan State: Long-Standing Feud Still Alive and Well

By Joel Greer

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Walmart Wolverines

Sep 19, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines fans during the game against the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

As if the Spartan Nation wasn’t satisfied with just calling students at Michigan “arrogant asses,” they had to come up with a term for Wolverines fans who didn’t actually attend the prestigious university.

Spartan supporters may have wondered why Michigan would attract more than 110,000 on a weekly basis, while East Lansing would rarely host more than 80,000.

So some adventurous Spartans fan came up with the term “Walmart Wolverine” in an obvious attempt to level the IQ of the respective fanbases.

So what is a Walmart Wolverine? According to the Urban Dictionary, it’s a Michigan fan who attends the games attired in Walmart-purchased gear, who has never attended the school and definitely doesn’t have the grades to do so.

The term “arrogant asses” has never affected the mindset of true Michigan fans. There is also no question that Michigan State has its own group of non-student supporters, even if they may be few and far between.

Next: More Michigan Wolverines Coverage

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Back in 1978, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry was one-sided in Michigan’s favor. The Spartans had lost eight in a row to Michigan, and the Big Ten title was usually decided between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wolverines.

In an effort to stir things up, Spartan head coach Darryl Rogers had two words for the Wolverines, and they weren’t Merry Christmas.

Speaking to a banquet just days before the Michigan game, Rogers promised his followers that the Spartans had a surprise for those “arrogant asses.”

And he was precisely correct. The Spartans won 24-15, ending that dreadful losing streak.

The comment, of course, created quite a stir. Other schools, especially Ohio State, added “arrogant” to their other childish descriptions of Michigan alumni and fans. The Michigan faithful could care less, as they simply reminded Spartans, or Buckeyes that arrogance is bliss.

A year later, Michigan radio icon Bob Ufer took it a step further. In one of his often repeated poems, he read the following:

"“Today, October 6, 1979 is the day that 22 Michigan arrogant asses put on the gloves of green, and as Richter played the Victors, they picked Darryl Rogers clean.”"

Next: Walmart Wolverines

As if the Spartan Nation wasn’t satisfied with just calling students at Michigan “arrogant asses,” they had to come up with a term for Wolverines fans who didn’t actually attend the prestigious university.

Spartan supporters may have wondered why Michigan would attract more than 110,000 on a weekly basis, while East Lansing would rarely host more than 80,000.

So some adventurous Spartans fan came up with the term “Walmart Wolverine” in an obvious attempt to level the IQ of the respective fanbases.

So what is a Walmart Wolverine? According to the Urban Dictionary, it’s a Michigan fan who attends the games attired in Walmart-purchased gear, who has never attended the school and definitely doesn’t have the grades to do so.

The term “arrogant asses” has never affected the mindset of true Michigan fans. There is also no question that Michigan State has its own group of non-student supporters, even if they may be few and far between.

Next: More Michigan Wolverines Coverage

More from Detroit Jock City

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