Since former Michigan head coach and Big Ten icon Bo Schembechler uttered the phrase "those who stay will be champions" in 1969, the six-word sentiment has been a centerpiece of football culture for the Wolverines. Earlier this week, however, in-state rival Michigan State trolled Jim Harbaugh's program in a very direct way, using a spin-off of the same phrase.
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The words "those who have stayed are already champions" were included in an official piece of Michigan State paraphernalia, and the words "since Mark Dantonio's arrival in 2007, every Spartan that has stayed at MSU for 4 years has won a Big Ten championship" served as the caption.
There is no question that the Spartans, under Dantonio's leadership, have put forth the superior football product in recent years, and that continued with the now infamous blunder by Michigan in leading to an improbable, last-second loss in 2015. In fact, Michigan State has won seven of the last eight battles against Michigan, leaving "little brother" in the unfamiliar position of holding all of the bragging rights within the state.
It is a safe bet to assume that this piece of marketing did not go over well in Ann Arbor, and the Wolverines will undoubtedly be salivating to get a crack at the Spartans on Oct. 29 in East Lansing.
