We’re finally here! Both Michigan State and Michigan enter Saturday’s game ranked the top 10 – the Wolverines at No. 6 and the Spartans No. 7 – and sporting identical records 7-0 records.
On top of that, both “ESPN College GameDay” and Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” will both be broadcasting in East Lansing.
Follow along here all day with our live blog, which begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. We’ll be providing written updates and tweets from campus, including the sites of both pre-game shows, and live coverage from the noon kickoff.
First Quarter
Jake Moody hits a 26-yard field goal to give Michigan a 10-0 lead over Michigan State. 1:18 left in the first quarter.
The Wolverines had gotten inside the 5-yard line, but an Andrel Anthony hold pushed them back.
The Michigan State offense is off to a rough start. Following an interception and punt on their first two possessions, Payton Thorne threw another pick on the Spartans’ third possession. On a third-and-5 play from midfield, Thorne’s pass was tipped at the line by a blitzer and interception by Mike Morris. The Wolverines take over on the MSU 30 after the Spartans were whistled for a 15-yard personal foul penalty. Michigan 7, MSU 0, 4:09 1Q
With both “ESPN College GameDay” and Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” on campus today, there was plenty of opportunity for great photos. Check out some of them below.
Michigan RB Blake Corum was wide open in the flat on a third-down pass, and had a chance to take it to the house. However, he dropped the pass. Tough break for Michigan as the Spartans take over on their own 19-yard line. Michigan 7, Michigan State 0, 6:49 1Q
The Spartans picked up a first down due to a face mask penalty, but punted three plays later. All of the momentum is currently on Michigan’s side as the Wolverines take over on their own 20-yard line. Michigan 7, Michigan State 0, 9:32 1Q
Andrel Anthony Jr. was Michigan State’s No. 1 target in the 2021 recruiting class, but picked Michigan over the Spartans.
The East Lansing High School graduate has played sparingly this year, but on his return home, Anthony stabbed MSU right in the heart.
On a third-and-5 play from Michigan’s own 7-yard line, Cade McNamara found Anthony on a crossing route and he took it to the house for a 93-yard touchdown.
Even worse for MSU: that was Anthony’s first career catch in a Michigan uniform. Michigan 7, Michigan State 0, 11:03 1Q
After two completions and two decent runs by Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State QB Payton Thorne throws an interception trying to hit Jalen Nailor in double coverage on a deep pass on a third-and-5 play.
You could consider it an arm punt, perhaps. Michigan State 0, Michigan 0, 12:37 1Q
Pregame
Bob Stoops and Reggie Bush picked Michigan State, while Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart picked Michigan to win on the Fox Sports “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show.
That’ll wrap up pregame. It’s time to play!
Detroit native and comedian/”The Masked Singer” panelist Ken Jeong was the celebrity guest picker in East Lansing for “ESPN College GameDay.” The Duke graduate wore a green ribbon in his hair, presumably to show support for the Spartans.
Jeong picks Michigan State, citing Harbaugh’s poor record against top-10 teams.
“This is Mel Tucker’s year to shine,” Jeong said.
Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso all picked Michigan.
Over at Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff, there was a pretty good crowd.
The East Lansing Fire Dept. had its first game day-related call at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, according to LSJ reporter Elena Durnbaugh. They’re ready for the couches in Cedar Village if needed.
Along with Anthony Russo, guard Matt Carrick, DE Jack Camper, WR Ricky White and WR Ian Stewart didn’t appear in uniform in pregame warmups.
In uniform: RB Elijah Collins, DT Jalen Junt, DE Drew Beesley, DE Itayvion Brown and CB Marqui Lowery.
All information comes from the Freep’s Chris Solari.
Michigan State backup quarterback Anthony Russo did not come out in uniform with the other quarterbacks, according to Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. Freshman QB Hamp Fay is dressing today.
Earlier this week, Russo pleaded guilty to reckless driving after being charged with an OWI on Oct. 17.
Things got a little crazy when Calvin Johnson showed up on Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff.” The Lions legend and Hall of Famer showed up in a camo jacket and Michigan State hat (he went to Georgia Tech), leading U-M legend Charles Woodson to charge onto the set and try to start a “Hail to the Victors” chant with a mostly pro-MSU crowd.
I say this sincerely: great television. I’m an easy mark.
ESPN knows what it’s doing with this move, bringing in the hero of the 2015 Michigan State-Michigan game, Jalen Watts-Jackson onto the set.
Be sure to check out Nate Atkins’ story on the “Trouble With The Snap” legend and how it defined his legacy. The Surrender Cobra lives on forever.
Yeah, that’s a *lot* of people. “East Lansing is buzzing. Big college campus, big game, Halloween. There’s nothing like it,” tweeted Big Cat.
Former MSU standout and first-round draft pick Julian Peterson was a guest on Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff,” but was used mainly for a segment where Bob Stoops was showing how Michigan’s defense will try and contain Michigan State’s offense.
The Barstool Sports squad is set up in Cedar Village, and might actually have a bigger crowd than both ESPN and Fox. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a Michigan grad, is doing an expert job trolling the (presumably) mostly Spartan fans set up in the popular area known for its couch fires.
There are plenty of photos in the gallery above, but below you can see a couple of the best signs from the GameDay set.
Fox and ESPN are set up on opposite sides of Spartan Stadium, but both pregame shows have big crowds surrounding them.
And if we’re being honest, the Big Noon Kickoff, which just went live at 10 a.m., looks like it has the bigger crowd. Reggie Bush led a “Go Green, Go White” chant to kick off the show and host Rob Stone made a reference to Bush perhaps being at Harper’s on Friday night.
Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo appeared on ESPN College GameDay for a few minutes, discussing his love for football, playing the sport for a little bit at Northern Michigan and being roommates and best friends with former Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci.
Izzo also predicted a 27-20 Spartan victory.
Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker made an appearance on “ESPN College GameDay” at 9:20 a.m. And for the final question, Rece Davis teed it up for Tucker and asked him what his true feelings were about Michigan.
Tucker’s quote: “Yeah, I don’t like Michigan,” in which fans roared in delight at the response. Tucker knows how to play to a crowd.
Tucker also talked about Nick Saban’s importance on his coaching philosophy, and said linebacker Quavaris Crouch is someone to watch as an “unsung hero” today.
The fans are out and the signs are plentiful as “ESPN College GameDay” just went live a few minutes ago. Campus looks electric.
From MSU police: All north campus lots are now full. The next available parking is Ramp 1 (Shaw Lane) and Ramp 3 (Wharton Center).
MSU police also recommend that if you’re coming from the east on I-96, take exit 110 (Okemos Road) to Jolly Road, to Hagadorn Road, to Shaw Lane and enter campus at either Wilson Road or Shaw Lane.
Click the map HERE for specific directions if you’re from out of town.
All north campus lots are now full. Next available parking is Ramp 1 (Shaw Ln) and Ramp 3 (Wharton Center).
If you’re coming from the east, take exit 110 Okemos Rd to Jolly Rd, to Hagadorn Rd to Shaw Ln and enter campus at either Wilson Rd or Shaw Ln.
— MSU Police and Public Safety (@msupolice) October 30, 2021
In case you’re wondering what exactly is the complete schedule for this morning, here is the list and times for everything, courtesy of the MSU football Twitter account.
“ESPN College GameDay” doesn’t go live for another 35 minutes, but the Michigan State students are unbothered by the inclement weather as they’re already lined up to get their moments on camera, signs in hand.
We’ll post the best ones throughout the morning.
There are already traffic issues in East Lansing, with gridlock already appearing on U.S. 127 and I-496, according to the East Lansing Police Department. Don’t plan for it to get better.
A selection of stories to read heading into the Michigan State-Michigan game.
If the live tweets aren’t showing up for you, click HERE.
Contact digital sports reporter Phil Friend at 517-377-1220 or pfriend@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Phil_Friend.
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