State of Michigan's top sports rivalries
 Fullscreen

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

This week, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan and Mark Dantonio and Michigan State will meet in East Lansing -- the top rivalry in all of Michigan sports. But there are others. Scroll through the gallery to see which ones stand out.
This week, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan and Mark Dantonio and Michigan State will meet in East Lansing -- the top rivalry in all of Michigan sports. But there are others. Scroll through the gallery to see which ones stand out. Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
Fullscreen
TIGERS-BLUE JAYS: These clubs haven't been rivals recently, but back in the 1980s, they were at each other's throats. It never was better than in 1987, when the Tigers caught the Blue Jays and passed them to win the AL East on the final day of the regular season.
TIGERS-BLUE JAYS: These clubs haven't been rivals recently, but back in the 1980s, they were at each other's throats. It never was better than in 1987, when the Tigers caught the Blue Jays and passed them to win the AL East on the final day of the regular season. Duane Burleson, Associated Press
Fullscreen
RED WINGS-AVALANCHE: This one was big in the 1990s, particularly March 26, 1997, or "Bloody Wednesday," when Darren McCarty and Claude Lemieux went at it in epic fashion. The Wings got the last laugh, winning the Stanley Cup later that year.
RED WINGS-AVALANCHE: This one was big in the 1990s, particularly March 26, 1997, or "Bloody Wednesday," when Darren McCarty and Claude Lemieux went at it in epic fashion. The Wings got the last laugh, winning the Stanley Cup later that year. Detroit News
Fullscreen
PISTONS-CELTICS: The Pistons have had their share of battles over the years, and the one with the Celtics was a great one from the mid-1980s through early 1990s, when they met five times in the playoffs. The Celtics won the first two, one of that legendary Larry Bird steal, while the Pistons won the last three in a changing-of-the-guard scenario.
PISTONS-CELTICS: The Pistons have had their share of battles over the years, and the one with the Celtics was a great one from the mid-1980s through early 1990s, when they met five times in the playoffs. The Celtics won the first two, one of that legendary Larry Bird steal, while the Pistons won the last three in a changing-of-the-guard scenario. Detroit News
Fullscreen
LIONS-PACKERS: Having met twice a season since the early 1930s, there is no longer-running rivalry in the NFL than this one -- even though it's been a bit one-sided over the years (the last three games, notwithstanding). One of the most-memorable games came in 2015, when Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary as time expired one it. It was dubbed the "Miracle in Motown."
LIONS-PACKERS: Having met twice a season since the early 1930s, there is no longer-running rivalry in the NFL than this one -- even though it's been a bit one-sided over the years (the last three games, notwithstanding). One of the most-memorable games came in 2015, when Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary as time expired one it. It was dubbed the "Miracle in Motown." Robin Buckson, Detroit News
Fullscreen
PISTONS-BULLS: The Pistons were the team of the late 1980s and early 1990s, before the Bulls took charge. They met four consecutive years in the playoffs from 1988-91, with the Pistons winning the first three series, and the Bulls the last one -- capped off by the Pistons' walk-off without shaking hands.
PISTONS-BULLS: The Pistons were the team of the late 1980s and early 1990s, before the Bulls took charge. They met four consecutive years in the playoffs from 1988-91, with the Pistons winning the first three series, and the Bulls the last one -- capped off by the Pistons' walk-off without shaking hands. Duane Burleson, Associated Press
Fullscreen
WESTERN MICHIGAN-CENTRAL MICHIGAN: It's not just rivalry week in East Lansing, it's also rivalry week in Mount Pleasant, as the two MAC foes will square off for the Victory Cannon. The teams first met in 1907, and the Broncos lead, 48-38-2, all-time.
WESTERN MICHIGAN-CENTRAL MICHIGAN: It's not just rivalry week in East Lansing, it's also rivalry week in Mount Pleasant, as the two MAC foes will square off for the Victory Cannon. The teams first met in 1907, and the Broncos lead, 48-38-2, all-time. Detroit News
Fullscreen
CALVIN COLLEGE-HOPE COLLEGE BASKETBALL: This Division III rivalry is so legendary, it once was featured in The New York Times. The series in 2019 will mark 98 years, with Hope leading, all-time, 103-95, on the men's side, and Calvin leading, 7-150, on the women's side.
CALVIN COLLEGE-HOPE COLLEGE BASKETBALL: This Division III rivalry is so legendary, it once was featured in The New York Times. The series in 2019 will mark 98 years, with Hope leading, all-time, 103-95, on the men's side, and Calvin leading, 7-150, on the women's side. Hope College
Fullscreen
MICHIGAN-OHIO STATE: This is one of the top rivalries in all of sports, obviously. The ultimate turf war. Bo and Woody. And on and on. Michigan leads the all-time series, 58-49-6, though Ohio State has won the last six meetings, and 13 of the last 14.
MICHIGAN-OHIO STATE: This is one of the top rivalries in all of sports, obviously. The ultimate turf war. Bo and Woody. And on and on. Michigan leads the all-time series, 58-49-6, though Ohio State has won the last six meetings, and 13 of the last 14. Associated Press
Fullscreen
PISTONS-PACERS: Things boiled over like never before Nov. 19, 2004, at The Palace of Auburn Hills, when, with 45.9 seconds left, Indiana villain Ron Artest went into the fans and kicked off a brawl for the ages -- one that will forever be known as the "Malice at The Palace."
PISTONS-PACERS: Things boiled over like never before Nov. 19, 2004, at The Palace of Auburn Hills, when, with 45.9 seconds left, Indiana villain Ron Artest went into the fans and kicked off a brawl for the ages -- one that will forever be known as the "Malice at The Palace." Clarence Tabb Jr., Detroit News
Fullscreen
GRAND VALLEY STATE-FERRIS STATE: The two West Michigan Division II schools are separated by about an hour drive, Allendale to Big Rapids. And the separation often isn't even that large in football. They met as the Nos. 2 and 3 DII football teams in the country last weekend, with Ferris State pulling out the stunner on a late trick play.
GRAND VALLEY STATE-FERRIS STATE: The two West Michigan Division II schools are separated by about an hour drive, Allendale to Big Rapids. And the separation often isn't even that large in football. They met as the Nos. 2 and 3 DII football teams in the country last weekend, with Ferris State pulling out the stunner on a late trick play. Grand Valley State
Fullscreen
RED WINGS-MAPLE LEAFS: The two Original Sixers made for a great rivalry, particularly in the 1940s, when they met four times in the Stanley Cup Finals (the Maple Leafs won all four, even coming back from down 3-0 in 1942). From the 1930s-60s, they played for the championship seven times. The Wings one only the first meeting, in 1936.
RED WINGS-MAPLE LEAFS: The two Original Sixers made for a great rivalry, particularly in the 1940s, when they met four times in the Stanley Cup Finals (the Maple Leafs won all four, even coming back from down 3-0 in 1942). From the 1930s-60s, they played for the championship seven times. The Wings one only the first meeting, in 1936. Detroit News
Fullscreen
TIGERS-YANKEES: This one may seem like a stretch, but they've had their battles over the years, including 1961, when the Tigers, led by Norm Cash, won 101 games -- and finished eight games back of the Bombers, led by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. They also met in the playoffs in 2006, 2011 and 2012, with the Tigers winning all three series.
TIGERS-YANKEES: This one may seem like a stretch, but they've had their battles over the years, including 1961, when the Tigers, led by Norm Cash, won 101 games -- and finished eight games back of the Bombers, led by Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. They also met in the playoffs in 2006, 2011 and 2012, with the Tigers winning all three series. Detroit News
Fullscreen
RED WINGS-BLACKHAWKS: You could really pick any Detroit team and Chicago team and call it a rivalry. There's not much love lost between the cities, separate by I-94. The Blackhawks and Red Wings have played more regular-season games than any other two NHL teams. Detroit leads the all-time series, while Chicago leads the all-time postseason series.
RED WINGS-BLACKHAWKS: You could really pick any Detroit team and Chicago team and call it a rivalry. There's not much love lost between the cities, separate by I-94. The Blackhawks and Red Wings have played more regular-season games than any other two NHL teams. Detroit leads the all-time series, while Chicago leads the all-time postseason series. Daniel Mears, Detroit News
Fullscreen
MICHIGAN STATE-NOTRE DAME: This one goes back to 1897, and has stood the test of the time -- with such memorable games as the 1966 "Game of the Century" (10-10 tie) and the 2010 game that ended on the "Little Giants" fake field goal for a touchdown at Spartan Stadium. After the game, MSU coach Mark Dantonio actually suffered a mild heart attack.
MICHIGAN STATE-NOTRE DAME: This one goes back to 1897, and has stood the test of the time -- with such memorable games as the 1966 "Game of the Century" (10-10 tie) and the 2010 game that ended on the "Little Giants" fake field goal for a touchdown at Spartan Stadium. After the game, MSU coach Mark Dantonio actually suffered a mild heart attack. Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Fullscreen
LIONS-BROWNS: Not only are these the only two NFL teams to go 0-16 in a season. Back when they were both good, at the same time, they were rivals. They met three consecutive years in the NFL championship game, from 195-54, with the Lions winning the first two, and the Browns winning the last one.
LIONS-BROWNS: Not only are these the only two NFL teams to go 0-16 in a season. Back when they were both good, at the same time, they were rivals. They met three consecutive years in the NFL championship game, from 195-54, with the Lions winning the first two, and the Browns winning the last one. Detroit News
Fullscreen
PISTONS-LAKERS: This was a good one, the "Showtime" Lakers against the "Bad Boys" Pistons. Hollywood vs. Blue Collar. They met three times in the NBA Finals, and the Pistons were the underdogs all three times -- with the Lakers winning in 1988, and the Pistons in 1989 (another changing-of-the-guard moment) and then again in 2004.
PISTONS-LAKERS: This was a good one, the "Showtime" Lakers against the "Bad Boys" Pistons. Hollywood vs. Blue Collar. They met three times in the NBA Finals, and the Pistons were the underdogs all three times -- with the Lakers winning in 1988, and the Pistons in 1989 (another changing-of-the-guard moment) and then again in 2004. Robert Kozloff, Associated Press
Fullscreen
MICHIGAN-NOTRE DAME: They're Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, on the Division I FBS all-time wins list, and fittingly, they've had some fantastic football games over the years -- even though they don't play every year, and there often has been lengthy hiatuses in the rivalry.
MICHIGAN-NOTRE DAME: They're Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, on the Division I FBS all-time wins list, and fittingly, they've had some fantastic football games over the years -- even though they don't play every year, and there often has been lengthy hiatuses in the rivalry. Leon Halip, Getty Images
Fullscreen
TIGERS-WHITE SOX: It's not that they've done a whole lot of battling in the standings (it seems when one is good, the other is bad, or they're both bad). But they've had some epic brawls over the years, none more memorable than 2000, when they went at it multiple times. It led to Robert Fick being showered with beer by fans, and loving it.
TIGERS-WHITE SOX: It's not that they've done a whole lot of battling in the standings (it seems when one is good, the other is bad, or they're both bad). But they've had some epic brawls over the years, none more memorable than 2000, when they went at it multiple times. It led to Robert Fick being showered with beer by fans, and loving it. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Fullscreen
OAKLAND-DETROIT MERCY: The campus in Rochester and Detroit only are separated by 30 miles, but the rivalry is a relatively new one -- because it took a while for Oakland to become Division I, and only recently did the Golden Grizzlies join the Titans' longtime league, the Horizon League.
OAKLAND-DETROIT MERCY: The campus in Rochester and Detroit only are separated by 30 miles, but the rivalry is a relatively new one -- because it took a while for Oakland to become Division I, and only recently did the Golden Grizzlies join the Titans' longtime league, the Horizon League. Jose Juarez, Special to Detroit News
Fullscreen
MICHIGAN-MICHIGAN STATE: They first played in 1898, and they play, fittingly, for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which has been dominated by the Spartans in recent years -- often with memorable wins, like the epic "Trouble with the Snap" moment at the Big House in 2015.
MICHIGAN-MICHIGAN STATE: They first played in 1898, and they play, fittingly, for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which has been dominated by the Spartans in recent years -- often with memorable wins, like the epic "Trouble with the Snap" moment at the Big House in 2015. Dale G. Young, Detroit News
Fullscreen
MICHIGAN STATE-MICHIGAN: To be fair (and to limit the phone calls!), we must include a picture of a memorable Michigan moment, too, like Braylon Edwards' epic game in the Wolverines' triple-OT victory in Ann Arbor in 2004.
MICHIGAN STATE-MICHIGAN: To be fair (and to limit the phone calls!), we must include a picture of a memorable Michigan moment, too, like Braylon Edwards' epic game in the Wolverines' triple-OT victory in Ann Arbor in 2004. Tom Pidgeon, Getty Images
Fullscreen

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

    Replay
    Autoplay
    Show Thumbnails
    Show Captions
    LinkedIn11COMMENT11MORE11

    Gambling can be a confusing business.

    Just check out the latest national-championship odds, courtesy of Bovada.

    Michigan State was 275-1 to win it all following a loss to Northwestern. This week, the Spartans have plummeted to 1,000-1 following a 21-17 win over then-No. 8 Penn State. Of course, it's not all about results in gambling. That simply means, in theory, there's less money being bet on the two-loss Spartans than a week ago.

    The story is similar for Texas Tech, which beat TCU, but went from 275-1 to 1,000-1, and Kentucky, which had a bye and dropped from 150-1 to 1,000-1.

    Michigan, meanwhile, saw its odds improve to 12-1 from 16-1 following its 38-13 dmolition of then-No. 15 Wisconsin.

    Michigan and Michigan State play at noon Saturday in East Lansing.

    Here are the complete odds:

    ►Alabama: 5-9

    ►Clemson: 13-2

    ►Ohio State: 7-2

    ►Notre Dame: 19-2

    ►Michigan: 12-1

    ►Georgia: 15-1

    ►LSU: 30-1

    ►Oklahoma: 35-1

    ►Texas: 35-1

    ►Florida: 50-1

    ►West Virginia: 60-1

    ►Central Florida: 80-1

    ►N.C. State: 90-1

    ►Washington: 90-1

    ►Mississippi State: 100-1

    ►Penn State: 100-1

    ►Wisconsin: 100-1

    ►Iowa: 175-1

    ►Miami (Fla.): 175-1

    ►Oregon: 175-1

    ►Auburn: 275-1

    ►Kentucky: 1,000-1

    ►Michigan State: 1,000-1

    ►TCU: 1,000-1

    ►Texas Tech: 1,000-1

    ►South Florida: Off the board

    ►Stanford: Off the board

    LinkedIn11COMMENT11MORE11