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.
Pregame
MSU injury report
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.
QB Anthony Russo not in uniform for MSU
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.
Calvin Johnson wears MSU hat on “Big Noon Kickoff
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.
“College GameDay” brings out Jalen Watts-Jackson
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.
Here’s the video of the Barstool pregame crowd
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.
Julian Peterson appears on “Big Noon Kickoff”
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 biggest crowd might actually belong to Barstool
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.
The best signs from “College GameDay”
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 Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” goes live
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.
Tom Izzo makes appearance on ESPN College GameDay
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.
Mel Tucker: “Yeah, I don’t like Michigan”
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.
ESPN College GameDay is live!
The fans are out and the signs are plentiful as “ESPN College GameDay” just went live a few minutes ago. Campus looks electric.
MSU parking update
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.
MSU football pregame events
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.
Students ready for their TV moment
“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.
Not surprisingly, traffic is already backed up
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.
Pregame Reading Material
A selection of stories to read heading into the Michigan State-Michigan game.
Live Twitter Updates
If the live tweets aren’t showing up for you, click HERE.
Contact digital sports reporter Phil Friend at 517-377-1220 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Phil_Friend.
