Fireball cookies. Need I say more?
The annual rivalry game between Michigan and Michigan State was expected to be a bit tamer than usual this year.
Yes, the Spartan Marching Band still kept its 24-hour “Sparty Watch” over the beloved campus Spartan statue in the week leading up to the game, but since firing coach Mel Tucker last month amid sexual assault allegations, the MSU football team has struggled mightily. Meanwhile, Michigan looks like a national championship contender, even as it wades through a cheating scandal involving improper scouting.
Given the opposing trajectories of the two programs, hopes among the Spartan faithful were not particularly high. But that didn’t stop them from tailgating in typical Rivalry Week fashion.
I was joined on this trip by my brother, who now lives in Michigan and is a big reason I first started expanding my college football travels beyond the Southeast. As we wandered around campus, we were impressed by the volume and quality of the tailgates.
People braved the cold with a massive variety of warming devices heretofore unknown to this Southern traveler. Powered by wood, charcoal, propane, electricity, and seemingly any other type of power imaginable, these devices helped keep folks comfortable enough to tend to the important business of tailgating their tails off.
One interesting thing we noted is that, unlike many campuses around the country, rules against parking in bike lanes and on the grass weren’t deemphasized on gameday. Aside from the parking lots directly surrounding the stadium, there were very few places to park near the primary tailgating areas on campus, making the setup process much more difficult, as groups would have to unload their equipment, park at a considerable distance, walk back to the tailgate, and then repeat the process in reverse when it was time to pack up.
Undeterred, the fine fans of East Lansing still managed to get the job done and host some pretty solid tailgates.
One such tailgate was the Tubas Friends & Family, a group of marching band parents helmed by Vickie, the final Tailgater of the Week for October. She and her crew showed us a great time, gave us great tips and background on can’t-miss MSU traditions, and even introduced us to FIREBALL COOKIES.
Yes, you read that correctly. Cookies made with Fireball liqueur. Incredible.
A special shoutout goes to Jared & Co., who bonded with us over pulled pork, High Noons, a mutual distaste for Nick Saban, and music reminiscent of a late-90s/early-2000s bar mitzvah DJ (i.e. the best kind).
Honorable mention also goes to Dave, a short-bus tailgater who invited us aboard his swag wagon and introduced us to the first vertical shawarma spit that we’ve ever seen at a tailgate.
Massive thanks to the fine people of East Lansing for the hospitality and for bringing big-game tailgate energy on a weekend many would’ve approached with trepidation. Michigan State does it right!
CFB Travel Guy 