CMU, MSU agree to three-game deal in football
Central Michigan will make the 68-mile trip from Kelly/Shorts Stadium to Spartan Stadium to take on Michigan State three times in the next decade.
MSU announced a three-game contract for 2023, 2027 and 2030 between the two schools on June 10. As part of the contract, MSU will pay CMU $1.75 million for the 2023 game and $1.5 million for the 2027 and 2030 matchups.
In terms of dates the two teams will play, the first matchup is scheduled for Sept. 2, 2023. The other two games are slated for Sept. 11, 2027 and Aug. 31, 2030.
"There is such a great tradition between Central Michigan and Michigan State, and we are excited to build on that with this three-game series," CMU Athletic Director Michael Alford said in a statement. "I appreciate the staff at Michigan State working with us to put together a series that I know our fans and alumni really look forward to and is another great opportunity to play an in-state opponent."
The Chippewas were scheduled to face Alabama on Sept. 2, 2023, and the Crimson Tide is off the Chippewas' schedule. Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported MSU offered the deal, then CMU asked Alabama to be released from the contract penalty-free, was granted the release from Alabama and signed the deal with MSU.
While the Spartans have an 8-3 edge in the series, the Chippewas picked up victories in the first two games played between the schools in 1991 and 1992, both in Spartan Stadium. CMU later upset the Spartans in 2009, again in East Lansing.
Since then, the Spartans have won each of the four times the two teams have squared off with those wins coming in 2011, 2012, the only time the series has been played in Mount Pleasant, 2015 and 2018.
