Renewed Rivalry

In 1991, oddsmakers did not release a point-spread for the Michigan State-Central Michigan football game.

The previous year, Michigan State finished its Big Ten schedule 6-2, tied with three other teams for first in the conference. The Spartans were ranked No. 18 in the preseason heading into its season opener, the first ever game played between two schools less than 70 miles apart.

It was supposed to be a rout.

But on that day, the Chippewas shocked the college football world and the state of Michigan. CMU running back Billy Smith ran the ball 40 times for 162 yards and a touchdown en route to a 20-3 upset. The Chippewas never trailed in the game.

“It made a statement,” said former CMU football coach Herb Deromedi. “It was a major upset, and that certainly brought recognition to the program.”

A year later, CMU did the unthinkable. No longer being looked over, the team went into Spartan Stadium and beat MSU again. The Chippewas never trailed in the 24-20 win.

“Everyone talks about the ‘91 game,” Deromedi said. “But the ‘92 game is the team that really overcame a tremendous challenge.”

And now, the inner-state rivalry is rekindled with a noon kickoff Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

“Obviously the fans are excited,” said CMU coach Butch Jones. “And you get to play a program of the caliber, or level, of Michigan State.”

Michigan State won the last four meetings. In 1993, it broke its two-game losing streak to CMU with a 48-34 win. MSU won 38-7 in 1998, 35-21 in 2001 and 24-7 in 2004. All six games were played at Spartan Stadium.

The game is nationally televised on ESPN2, something Jones said adds to the game.

“Anytime you get to play in front of 76,000 people, I think that makes it exciting as well,” he said.

Familiar ties

Both teams have a heavy contingent of in-state players on its roster. CMU has 53 players from the state of Michigan, while MSU has 59.

A number of the student athletes were recruited by both schools.

“We’re very familiar with them, as they are with us,” Jones said. “A lot of players (from each team) know each other.”

Sophomore tight end David Blackburn lives in Detroit and went to Warren De La Salle High School.

“It’s probably one of the biggest games, not just because it’s the next game, but because it’s (Michigan) State,” he said.

And the in-state ties mean a bigger showing of support for a number of the athletes.

“My whole family is coming. I have a ton of friends that go to State. They’re going to be watching,” Blackburn said. “It will be a one-in-a-lifetime experience for me.”

Blackburn also will be around when CMU plays Michigan State in 2011 at Spartan Stadium and in 2012 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

“That (home) game will be even better than playing at their place,” he said.

As part of the new “Celebrate the State” series, the Chippewas will play the Spartans four more times after this year. CMU will be on the road in 2011, 2015 and 2018; home in 2012.

Deromedi said many parts of the university will benefit from the series.

“It’s something that excites not only our campus, but our alumni, and it certainly provides a tremendous opportunity for our football program,” he said.