The clash for the Paul Bunyan Trophy heads to East Lansing, Mich. on Saturday as Michigan vs. Michigan State football play in the 118th edition of the intrastate rivalry. The Paul Bunyan Trophy was first presented in 1953, with the Spartans beating the Wolverines 14-6 at home.
More Details on Michigan vs. Michigan State
The first all-time meeting between the Wolverines and Spartans occurred on October 12, 1898. Michigan won 39-0.
The Wolverines, which have the fifth most-valuable college football program according to an analysis by The Athletic, hold a 74-38-5 all-time record in the rivalry. In 2024, the Wolverines beat the Spartans 24-17 at Michigan Stadium, with both teams holding a 10-10 mark over the past 20 years.
During the past two decades, the Spartans have the longest winning streak where they won four consecutive games from 2008-11. Michigan has tallied three straight in the rivalry.
The 25th-ranked Wolverines are 5-2 heading into Saturday’s primetime matchup. Most recently, Michigan defeated Washington 24-7 a week ago. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood — who reportedly received an unprecedented NIL deal to play in Ann Arbor, Mich. — completed 21 of 27 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jordan Marshall recorded 25 carries for 133 yards and one score in the absence of featured back Justice Haynes, who sustained an upper body injury against USC on Oct. 11.
Meanwhile, the unranked Spartans have a 3-4 record in 2025, including four straight losses to begin Big Ten Conference play. Indiana beat Michigan State 38-13 a week ago in Bloomington, Ind. Coach Jonathan Smith is in his second year at the helm in East Lansing. He finished with a 5-7 mark in 2024, including a 3-6 record in the Big Ten.
Where Can I Watch Michigan Vs. Michigan State?
Kickoff at Spartan Stadium is scheduled for around 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Play-by-play caller Noah Eagle will be joined by analyst Todd Blackledge and sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen.
The Wolverines are currently 14-point favorites, according to the most recent DraftKings Sportsbook betting odds. The over/under for Michigan vs. Michigan State is set for 47.5 points. Meanwhile, Michigan has nearly an 88% chance of winning the game, per ESPN’s matchup predictor.