The most recent public pissing match between a pair of in-state rivals shows no sign of abating anytime soon. At all.
To recap:
- Then-No. 6 Michigan beat then-No. 24 Michigan State in East Lansing this past Saturday, the Wolverines’ first road win over a ranked opponent in more than a decade.
- After the win, Jim Harbaugh ripped what he described as bush league pregame tactics on the part of both the Spartans football players and, most notably, Mark Dantonio.
- Dantonio responded in kind to the “bush league” rip job, calling the U-M head coach’s claim “BS.”
- Harbaugh responded to Dantonio’s response two days later by essentially throwing the MSU head coach’s words from a few years ago back in his face.
- Monday evening, MSU released a statement in which they attempted to explain the chain of events that led up to the pregame brouhaha.
In response to that statement, U-M athletic director Warde Manuel released his own statement Monday night. In it, Manuel began by writing about a pregame conversation with his MSU counterpart, Bill Beekman, that he preferred to keep private. To end it, Manual not-so-discreetly declared “SCOREBOARD!” on his rivals.
“It is a great rivalry between two Michigan Universities, and the focus should remain on the game, the way it’s played and,” wait for it... “the final result.”
Well played, Mr. Manuel. Well played.
I had a conversation on the field with Michigan State Athletic Director Bill Beekman prior to the game regarding the situation that occurred during pregame warmups. My preference is to keep that conversation and any further discussions between us. I will work with our staff and the conference to see how this situation can be prevented from happening in the future. It is a great rivalry between two Michigan Universities, and the focus should remain on the game, the way it’s played, and the final result.