Michigan and Michigan State tailgaters celebrate rivalry in Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI – Michigan and Michigan State fans came together for a long day’s worth of tailgating in Ann Arbor before Saturday’s night game.

The often-close ties between the rival teams were on full display at Pioneer High School, where maize-and-blue and green-and-white tents stood side-by-side and “house divided” banners flew high.

One of the larger parties in the Pioneer parking lot was centered around UM alumnus and Ford employee Rakesh Sheth’s F-150 Lightning, which, along with a host of other pickups, powered a party across multiple tents. The electric truck’s battery kept running a host of slow cookers, fueling a feast.

On the fairway at the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club – a popular tailgate spot just across the street from Michigan Stadium – fans of either team found themselves standing on the same side of cornhole boards, sizzling grills and a number of extra-long games of flip cup.

Trip Jackson and friends continued a decades-long tradition among U.S. Coast Guard veterans attending grad school at UM by showing up early to set up a flip cup table that drew more fans every hour. Jackson and the growing group of tailgaters played a round of flip cup every hour, on the hour starting at 11 a.m. By 4 p.m., their group of eight had grown to about 50 people on four tables.

“For the most part, anybody walking by will show up for their first one and they’ll keep coming back every hour,” he said.

Jackson, speaking on behalf of his group of UM classmates, felt good in Michigan football’s chances in Saturday’s game.

“We’re absolutely stoked, can’t wait,” he said. “Michigan’s been on fire this year, so we’re excited for this game.”

Sheth took a more cautious perspective, remembering the pain of watching his friends celebrate Michigan State’s upset of Michigan last year in East Lansing.

“We’re favored, but when it’s Michigan-Michigan State you never know,” he said.

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