Michigan Vs Michigan State: An Age-Old Rivalry
75-38-5, the all-time record of this rivalry in Michigan’s favor. That is how many times these two teams have played each other in football. This rivalry has had many historic games, like “He has trouble with the snap” in 2015, the Braylon Edwards comeback in 2004, and the amazing performance by Kenneth Walker to retain Michigan State’s undefeated season against an undefeated Michigan team in 2021.
This football rivalry began in 1898 when Michigan defeated Michigan State 39-0. However, they have only played every year since 1945. One of the traditions of this series is the Paul Bunyan trophy, the Governor of Michigan trophy. It was first presented in 1953 when Michigan State first joined the conference. It has been given to the winner of the game every year since. Michigan State was awarded the first-ever Paul Bunyan trophy after winning the game that year.
Michigan came into this game as 14.5-point favorites. In this year’s version of the rivalry, it was a relatively lopsided matchup with Michigan leading the entire game. Michigan State found a little more offense than in he beginning of the game in the fourth quarter and scored 13, but still gave up seven points, which meant Michigan won the Paul Bunyan trophy, winning the game 31-20. Aidan Chiles led the game in passing with 130 passing yards; however, he was replaced by freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who came in after Chiles and threw for 60 yards and a passing touchdown. Michigan’s running back Justice Haynes led the game in rushing with 26 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Nick Marsh of Michigan State led the game in receiving with six receptions for 75 yards. This game extended Michigan’s win streak in the rivalry to four.
I asked sophomore Josh Hilliard a few questions about this rivalry. I first asked what team he cheers for and why. Hilliard responded, “Michigan State, even though my parents both went to Western Michigan, I was easily influenced by Michigan State peers.” I then asked him if he had been to a Michigan vs Michigan State game. Hilliard said, “In 2024, three friends and I went to a Michigan vs Michigan State game and tailgated before it.”
I asked his favorite memory from a Michigan vs Michigan State game was, Hilliard answered, “I was at my friend’s house and Michigan’s punter fumbled and Michigan State scooped it up to score and win the game. We all went crazy.”[/pullquote]
I then asked if he thought that Michigan vs Michigan State is the biggest rivalry in college football. Hilliard said, “I feel like it’s up there, a lot of people know about it, but I wouldn’t say it’s the biggest. I think the biggest is Michigan vs Ohio State, it’s always fun to watch, and everybody goes crazy for it to see who ultimately comes out as the winner.” Lastly, I asked him if he thinks that in the next ten years, who is going to be the dominant team in the rivalry. Hilliard responded, “It’s kind of tough because Michigan State has some players like Aidan Chiles, but Michigan also got a new quarterback, Bryce Underwood. I feel like he might be either a superpower to the team or a bust in the next two years. Both teams are looking okay this year. Last year, lots of players were lost from each team, so I think I’m going to go with Michigan State because they look young and healthy and have a bright future ahead of them.”
With all of the history in this series, like the amazing games, the famous traditions, and many other things solidifies it as one of college football’s best rivalries.
Do you cheer for the state or Michigan? Why? “Michigan State, because I grew up in Michigan, and even though my parents both went to Western Michigan, I was easily influenced by Michigan State peers.
Have you been to a Michigan vs Michigan State game? If so, what game? “In 2024, me and three other friends went to a Michigan Vs Michigan State game and tailgated before it. But Michigan ended up winning this game.”
Who are your favorite Michigan and Michigan State players of all time? “ For Michigan State Le’Veon Bell, because he was a great running back in college and then went to my hometown NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and became great there. For Michigan, I would say Tom Brady because he is the GOAT, but I don’t like Michigan.
What is your favorite memory from a Michigan vs Michigan State game? “I was at my friend’s house, and Michigan’s punter fumbled and Michigan State scooped it up to score and win the game. We all went crazy.”
Do you think Michigan vs Michigan State is the biggest rivalry in college football? If not, what would you say is? “I feel like it’s up there, a lot of people know about it, but I wouldn’t say it’s the biggest. I think the biggest is Michigan vs Ohio State, it’s always fun to watch, and everybody goes crazy for it to see who ultimately comes out as the winner.
In the next ten years, who do you think is going to be the dominant team in the rivalry? “It’s kind of tough because Michigan State has some players like Aidan Chiles, but Michigan also got a new quarterback, Bryce Underwood, I feel like he might be either a superpower to the team or a bust in the next two years. Both teams are looking okay this year, last year lots of players were lost from each team, so I think I’m going to go with Michigan State because they look young and healthy and have a bright future ahead of them
