WHAT'S A YOOPER & WHY THE RIVALRY?

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A *Yooper* is a proud resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (the “U.P.”), known for their rugged independence, deep community roots, love of the outdoors, and unwavering loyalty. Isolated by the Great Lakes and connected to the rest of Michigan only by the Mackinac Bridge, the U.P. has developed a distinct identity — part Midwestern, part wilderness warrior, and all heart.

Geographically caught between Wisconsin and Michigan, the U.P. is a football battleground where households, friend groups, and entire towns are evenly split between "green and yellow cheeseheads" and "honolulu blue and silver" fans. With deep ties to both states, Yoopers have embraced this divide as a badge of honor — making game days passionate, personal, and proudly competitive.