Michigan vs. Michigan State football rivalry: Stats that matter and moments we remember
The biggest football game in the state of Michigan is back this weekend.
The Michigan Wolverines host the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday night at Michigan Stadium in the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The in-state rivalry dates back to 1898 with Michigan holding the all-time series record at 73-38-5. It comes into the 2024 edition on a two-game winning streak over the Spartans.
Michigan State's last win in the rivalry came in the undefeated top-10 matchup in 2021 when Kenneth Walker III ran for five touchdowns in a 37-33 victory. In 2024, both teams sit at 4-3 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten, and enter the grudge match with both teams unranked for the first time since 2008.
This the first time since 1928 both Michigan and Michigan State enter the game with at least three losses.
Michigan, the defending national champions, has lost two straight after getting handled 21-7 by Illinois coming out of its bye week. On the other side, Michigan State looked rejuvenated coming out of its bye and controlled Iowa from start to finish, winning 32-20.
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These are two entirely new teams than the ones that played last year, with Michigan winning 49-0 en route to a perfect season.
Both teams have new coaches, Jonathan Smith for MSU and Sherrone More for U-M, and new quarterback situations, Aidan Chiles for MSU and a trio for Michigan, most recently Jack Tuttle. Michigan had to replace 13 players drafted to the NFL, integrate an entirely offensive line, and most of all, replace its quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.
Michigan's chances to repeat as three-time defending Big Ten champions are essentially over just past the season's midway point.
The Spartans have 61 new players on the 2024 team in addition to the entirely new coaching staff. The new look has led to a promising start to the rebuild with MSU matching its 2023 win total through just seven games under Smith.
Despite landing on opposite ends of the vibes spectrum entering the week, Michigan is still a 5½-point favorite over the Spartans at home due to the overall talent disparities between the two rosters on paper.
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Here are some fast facts about the history of the MSU-U-M rivalry and the 2024 teams.
Michigan vs. Michigan State football rivalry history
Last meeting: Michigan won 49-0 in East Lansing on Oct. 21, 2023.
All-time record: Michigan leads 73-38-5.
First meeting: Michigan beat Michigan State (then known as Michigan Agricultural College), 39-0.
Record in Ann Arbor: Michigan leads 51-23-3 (didn't start alternating venues on an annual basis until 1958).
Record in East Lansing: Michigan leads 22-15-2.
Record in past 10 meetings: 5-5.
Record in the 21st century: Michigan leads 13-11.
Most lopsided win: Michigan's 119-0 win in 1902 over Michigan Agricultural College. MSU's most lopsided win was 34-0 in 1967.
A fact you will hear on the TV broadcast Saturday: Since 1969, 48 of the past 54 Paul Bunyan winners have been the team that finishes with more rushing yards.
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Michigan vs. Michigan State rivalry best moments (past 35 years):
2001: T.J. Duckett game-winner and questions about "Spartan Bob".
2005: U-M's overtime win.
2015: "Trouble with the snap".
2018: Devin Bush's midfield stomping before a U-M win in 2018.
2021: Kenneth Walker scores 5 TDs for MSU in epic undefeated top-10 matchup.
2024 Michigan and Michigan State football key stats
*All stats are national ranks provided by the NCAA's official website.
Record: Michigan 4-3, 2-2 in Big Ten; Michigan State 4-3, 2-2 in Big Ten.
Big Ten results: Michigan beat USC and Minnesota, and lost to Washington and Illinois; Michigan State beat Maryland and Iowa, and lost to Ohio State and Oregon.
Scoring offense: Michigan averages 21.2 points per game (112th out of 133 teams); Michigan State averages 21.6 points per game (110th).
Scoring defense: Michigan holds teams to an average of 22.14 points per game (51st); Michigan State holds teams to an average of 20.86 points per game (tied for 39th).
Offense breakdown: Michigan averages 308.6 yards per game (tied for 119th) with 128.3 passing (129th) and 180.3 rushing (45th). Michigan State averages 366.7 yards per game (91st) with 233.4 passing (67th) and 133.3 rushing (90th).
Defense breakdown: Michigan holds teams to an average of 326.2 yards per game (34th) with 234.1 passing (96th) and 92.1 rushing (9th). Michigan State holds teams to an average of 323.1 yards per game (29th), with 192 passing (30th) and 131.1 rushing (53rd).
Turnovers: Michigan and Michigan State are tied at 121 in the country with 15 turnovers lost (both have six fumbles and nine interceptions) through seven games, just ahead of Auburn, Temple, East Carolina and Southern Mississippi. MSU has forced nine turnovers compared to U-M's eight so the Spartans hold a slightly better turnover differential at minus-six.
Michigan vs. Michigan State prediction
Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press: MSU's defense was stout against Iowa's standout running back Kaleb Johnson, and should be able to employ a similar defensive gameplan against Michigan's Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, regardless if there is another switch coming at quarterback. The Spartans' offense will struggle to move the ball on the ground against Michigan's front, but should fare throwing the ball better if Aidan Chiles (nine interceptions) can avoid giveaways. Expect the defense to dictate this one at the Big House. The pick: Michigan State 20, Michigan 17.
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22, and email him at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan vs Michigan State football history: The stats, best moments
