Forget the Paul Bunyan Trophy. This weekend, Michigan and Michigan State fans have another competition on their hands, and it involves what happens before you flush.
The good news? All those pregame drinks might finally serve a greater purpose. Turns out, there’s a reason to keep those tailgating beverages flowing.
With the Wolverines and Spartans set to square off Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET/Peacock) at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, researchers from both universities are giving fans another way to show their school pride.
How, you ask? By donating urine.
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Dubbed “The Piss Off” and organized by Michigan’s Nutrient Energy Water (N-E-W) Cycles Group, the competition will feature two collection stations inside yurts at the nearby Ann Arbor Golf & Outing Club, with one designated for Michigan fans and the other for Michigan State supporters.
The goal? See which fan base can produce the most liquid gold. Collections are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and go until the end of the game.
There is, however, one catch. For now, donations are limited to people who stand up to pee.
Sorry, ladies. Apparently, even science has its limitations. And it certainly puts a different spin on the phrase “standing room only.”
As ridiculous as it may sound, there’s a good reason behind the experiment. Researchers plan to convert the collected urine into nutrient-rich fertilizer through a process called “peecycling.”
The finished product will be used in agricultural research projects at both universities, including Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Michigan State’s Kellogg Biological Station.
Though the winning school won’t receive a trophy for this competition, unlike the winner of Saturday night’s game, there’s something fitting about a rivalry that has produced plenty of trash talk now competing to see which fan base can produce the most fertilizer.
After all, somebody has to finish number one.
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Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.