Fruit and veggie platters, meatballs, wings, hot dogs, scrambled eggs, bagels, apple cider, even birthday cake — these are just some of the foods U-M football fans enjoyed while tailgating Saturday.

Scott Petrovich, of West Bloomfield, and his family set up an elaborate spread outside of the Michigan Stadium. Underneath a maize and blue-striped tent to block the rain was a table full of food and a grill with various meats stacked up and ready to be cooked.

Petrovich estimated he and his family members and friends spent about $500 on food and beverages — and that, they said, is an inexpensive tailgating day compared to other pre-game feasts they've prepared.

"It's hard to tell (exactly how much was spent) because we had stuff, beverages, left over from last week," Petrovich said.

Terri Jennings, of Grand Haven, said her group spent roughly $200 to $300 on food and drinks for the event.

"Because it's a morning game." she said. "If it was an afternoon game we'd spend a lot more."

Jennings said when it comes to tailgate food she looks to "no nonsense, easy" selections, such as bagels and muffins from a local bakery and fruit, cheese and crackers from a grocery store.

When asked why they came out despite the rainy weather, she said, "I'd say it's the love of the game and the friends."

Lianne Sefcovic came all the way from Columbus, Ohio, to tailgate before and after the game. "We come up every weekend," she said.

"If it's a noon game (like today's) we do bacon and pancakes," Sefcovic said as she stood outside her family's tent. "And today we're doing a double tailgate. ... After the game we're going to do burgers."

Sefcovic estimated her family spent about $75 on food for the day. The group also brought along a TV and satellite dish to watch the pre-game show.

Then there's the "rib crew."

"We got the best ribs ... we're called the 'rib crew,'" said Marty Lozano of Ypsilanti. "I start (preparing) on Thursday, pretty much cook (the ribs) on Friday, bring them out here and do it Saturday."

Lozano said he and his friends prepare about 22 to 30 slabs of ribs, as well as bratwurst, chicken breast, hot dogs, salad and deviled eggs.

One of the more unusual things the "crew" has cooked for a tailgate is smoked salmon, said Lozano's friend and co-chef Mike Nesbitt.

Lozano said preparing for a tailgating Saturday is a team effort. "It takes everybody to do this," he said.

Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com, reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.