Detroit Jock City
Fansided

10 Best Rivalries in Detroit Sports History

By Zac Snyder

Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) in the end zone for a safety during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) in the end zone for a safety during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 11
Next
Feb 6, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Bryn Forbes (5) moves the ball defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) in the second half at Crisler Center. Michigan State won 89-73. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Bryn Forbes (5) moves the ball defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) in the second half at Crisler Center. Michigan State won 89-73. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan vs. Michigan State

In this state you’re either green or you’re blue and no matter which one you are, you have jokes and nicknames about the other.

Both Michigan State and Michigan have had their time in the sun in both football and basketball but there hasn’t been as much sustained success by both sides to turn this rivalry into a Duke-North Carolina in basketball or Alabama-Auburn in football. Even so, passions run deep.

That’s especially true in the last decade, starting with Mike Hart’s “little brother” comment following a Michigan comeback win over Michigan State in 2007. Then the script flipped with the Spartans winning the next four in the series and seven of the next eight.

Historically speaking, more has been on the line in other matchups for Michigan football or Michigan State basketball, but any meeting between Michigan State and Michigan sees families, friends and workplaces divided as Spartans and Wolverines rub shoulders with each other on a daily basis.

Next: Number 3

Home/Detroit Sports