Michigan Monday: MSU Week Begins Now

Michigan State week is always a strange week for Wolverines fans.  The reason being is many Michigan fans rank Michigan rivals as #1 Ohio State, #2 ND, #3 MSU.   Michigan State ranks their rivals as:  #1 Michigan, #2 Michigan, and #3 tried for Penn State (didn't really work).  

Don't get me wrong, Michigan wants to win this game and yes it's a rivalry game.  In-state bragging rights mean something for the kids and there is an effect on recruiting.   MSU has also taken advantage of Michigan's two down years and has had close wins over the Wolverines.  Both teams are 5-0, ranked, and have wins over ND so it should be a good game.  Michigan State's head coach is still recovering from his heart attack and had a set back late last week that had him back in the hospital.   Believe it or not MSU really hasn't been on the road this year, the farthest they have been away from East Lansing was a trip to Detroit to play Florida International. 

Should be a fun week.  Enjoy it here at the BHB.

• RR will have his weekly presser today at 12:15

• Dee Hart is planning to announce his decision this week.  The initial reports say it will be completed on Friday.  No press conference is schedule yet. 

• TomVH reports this weekend that Michigan is now recruiting Chris Gallon, Dee's teammate and cousin of current Wolverine Jeremy Gallon.  Chris is a 6'5, 205 WR. 

• AP Poll:  MSU at #17  Michigan at #18  USA:  MSU #16 and Michigan #17

• Early line has Michigan -4.5

• Look for a number of big time recruits visiting Michigan this weekend and next.  It seems the Iowa game might be the biggest recruiting weekend of the year. 

Trip Report to IU:

The stadium is much improved from the last time Michigan was there.  Their video board is impressive.    The IU fans seem to be pretty nice and it was good to see the Wolverines travel so well.  Best example is last time Michigan was there they were ranked #2 in the nation and were undefeated with OSU the following week.  This year, there were many more Michigan fans and they were loud and supportive.  Great to see.

• I have never seen a fan base celebrate first downs like IU fans.  It's actually pretty funny.  Memo to IU Basketball fans at the game:  First downs are good, but the time to celebrate is for touchdowns.  Like when you cheer for a made 3 pointer!

• Many folks said this was the first sell out since 2007.  The stadium was maybe 1000 seats short of a sell out.  Now I understand why they sold a home game to FedEx field against Penn State.

 

• The IU fan base celebrated like they won the game when they scored to tie the game with 1:15 left.  One guy turned to me and said: "This is the new Big House!".  You only have to double your stadium and get people to show up.  BTW: there is 1:15 left and we have Denard.  I also had to advise the person next to me if this game was "field rush" worthy if they won.  Glad we didn't have to find out.

• The overall trip to IU is pretty affordable for an away game.  Tickets were as low as $5 for kids and there were plenty available to fans not getting advance tickets.  Parking was also $5 to park near the stadium.  They really don't understand out how to flow the traffic after game day but it wasn't too bad.