MLive File Photo

Offsetting the Sparty 'chip'

By Brandon Champion | bchampio@mlive.com

It’s Michigan vs. Michigan State week.

The annual battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy means the start of a contentious six days for fans of both the No. 6 ranked Wolverines and the No. 24 ranked Spartans as the in-state rivals prepare to meet for the 111th time at Spartan Stadium (Noon, FOX).

Both fan bases have different ways of preparing for the game, but at least one Michigan fan is encouraging the fan base to use a bit of reverse psychology on the Spartans by praising the team from East Lansing instead of trash-talking them.

“I find myself increasingly nervous about our game on Saturday,” the Michigan fan posted to the College Football subreddit. “Michigan State has this awful tendency to play mediocre football right up to the Michigan game, then the Spartans say ‘Sike!’, beat us and finish the year going to a decent-to-good bowl game. And as most CFB users know, MSU's power is derived from their "disrespek"

“As such, I would like to start an annual tradition here on this subreddit, during the week of the MSU/Michigan game for Michigan fans to pay respek to Michigan State, as a way of counterbalancing their disrespek voodoo. As tough as it may be to type nice things about MSU, one compliment during the week may be what is takes to offset the disrespek magic.”

Michigan State has owned the rivalry of late, winning eight of the last 10 meetings, but Michigan owns a significant advantage in the overall series with a record of 69–36–5. Here is a look at some of the best “compliments” Michigan fans have given MSU so far.

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit

Card

Don't Edit