ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) – The Michigan State Spartans will face the Michigan Wolverines in a big football game Saturday night in Ann Arbor. While neither team is currently ranked, the interstate rivalry always brings more excitement and excitement.

On Friday night, fans at Good Time Charley's were already in their gear.

MSU fan Bob Gauthier was in town from Marquette. Both of his daughters went to State University, but now his granddaughter is studying in Michigan.

“You can feel the energy,” Gauthier said of the rivalry atmosphere in the city. “That’s what makes everything so exciting.”

Richie Howden and his family are in town from Nashville, Tennessee. As big Michigan fans, they visit Ann Arbor at least once a year for a game.

“I love playing in rivalry games,” Howden said.

Related video: Students and fans ready for the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry game this weekend

Students and fans ready for the rivalry game between Michigan and Michigan State this weekend

And it's a night game?

“Ehh, it's going to be a little colder than I would like as a southern boy,” Howden said. “But it’s still football weather in Michigan.”

The rivalry game will be a night opener for the third straight year and is MSU's sixth night game this season. The mood in the city and among both fan bases is mixed.

“As a company, we don't mind,” said Bryce Davenport, operations manager for Watershed Hospitality Group, which owns Good Time Charley's. “There’s a steady flow of people throughout the day, so it’s easier to deal with.”

The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy is always a crowded day in Ann Arbor, and Good Time Charley's will have all hands on deck. They open at noon and expect there to be a line.

“The responsibility will be here, I will be here, all employees who can work,” Davenport said. “It’s kind of an all-hands-on approach.”

Related video: Detroit-Ann Arbor express bus hours have been extended for the Michigan vs. Michigan State football game

Detroit-Ann Arbor express bus hours have been extended for the Michigan vs. Michigan State football game

As far as Ann Arbor police are concerned, night games are becoming more of a concern because the back door is longer and drinking occurs all day long. As in the bars, it's all hands on deck here, urging fans to be smart and have a safe trip home.

“Starts around 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. and lasts all day and into the night,” Howden said of tailgating. “So I expect there will be a lot of drinking tomorrow.”

“We’ll hang out tomorrow morning. “It should be a great day, the gap is in the afternoon,” Gauthier said. “It's going to be a long day, but we can handle it. We've done it before.”

The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety also released one Game day safety question and answer form.