[Brannerite]

I sat in the greenest portion of the stadium, full of MSU donors.  I never anticipated I would willingly sit in the heart of the opponent's territory, but the market for tickets was such that the only chance I had to buy face-value tickets was from MSU during their public sale.  I was thrilled to have the chance to buy these, as I might otherwise not have attended the game.  In the days leading up to the game, I tried to take solace in the fact that I did not have to place a season ticket deposit with MSU, but I'll admit, I was a little scared.  I told myself - it's not like they're going to burn a couch in front of you.  I did not realize that it would be us that would be burning a couch in front of them during the halftime show.

For the most part, MSU fans were just a spirited bunch thrilled to be in Pasadena. Of course there were some boorish brutes whose taunts made the other MSU fans cringe and want to cover their children's ears.  As I made my way to my seat, I was told by several fans I was in the wrong section, which was true.  The only overt hostility I encountered was after the half-time show.  The band did the whole Michigan furniture industry on fire skit, and there were immediate groans and a few chuckles by those who understood the reference. Then the booing started.  They didn't even all know what they were booing. One woman was outraged that they would make a lame reference to an event 15 years ago (the first time they burned couches).  She and those around her were clueless about the riots after the Big-10 championship a few weeks ago. But after someone confirmed the East Lansing events, she was gracious enough to issue an apology.  And fans who had no previous exposure to LSJUMB were just absolutely livid at having to watch them.  I mean, absolutely insane.  But there were also some nice fans who complemented us on what a great school we were and said what a good game we had played.

All in all, I still had a memorably great time at the game despite being crushed at the outcome.  May I never again be surrounded by the deafening chants of Go Green, Go White, an annoying chant regardless of affiliation.  May I never again be trapped in the midst of an MSU Rose Bowl victory celebration.  And may I never again be delighted at the sight of a U,S,C hat, which was the only blip of red I could see, 15 rows away.

[Brannerite]

I sat in the greenest portion of the stadium, full of MSU donors.  I never anticipated I would willingly sit in the heart of the opponent's territory, but the market for tickets was such that the only chance I had to buy face-value tickets was from MSU during their public sale.  I was thrilled to have the chance to buy these, as I might otherwise not have attended the game.  In the days leading up to the game, I tried to take solace in the fact that I did not have to place a season ticket deposit with MSU, but I'll admit, I was a little scared.  I told myself - it's not like they're going to burn a couch in front of you.  I did not realize that it would be us that would be burning a couch in front of them during the halftime show.

For the most part, MSU fans were just a spirited bunch thrilled to be in Pasadena. Of course there were some boorish brutes whose taunts made the other MSU fans cringe and want to cover their children's ears.  As I made my way to my seat, I was told by several fans I was in the wrong section, which was true.  The only overt hostility I encountered was after the half-time show.  The band did the whole Michigan furniture industry on fire skit, and there were immediate groans and a few chuckles by those who understood the reference. Then the booing started.  They didn't even all know what they were booing. One woman was outraged that they would make a lame reference to an event 15 years ago (the first time they burned couches).  She and those around her were clueless about the riots after the Big-10 championship a few weeks ago. But after someone confirmed the East Lansing events, she was gracious enough to issue an apology.  And fans who had no previous exposure to LSJUMB were just absolutely livid at having to watch them.  I mean, absolutely insane.  But there were also some nice fans who complemented us on what a great school we were and said what a good game we had played.

All in all, I still had a memorably great time at the game despite being crushed at the outcome.  May I never again be surrounded by the deafening chants of Go Green, Go White, an annoying chant regardless of affiliation.  May I never again be trapped in the midst of an MSU Rose Bowl victory celebration.  And may I never again be delighted at the sight of a U,S,C hat, which was the only blip of red I could see, 15 rows away.