Michigan football emerged victorious over Michigan State for the third straight year in the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Michigan took down Michigan State, 24-17, in the latest rendition of the in-state rivalry that came down to the final minutes. Michigan moves to 5-3, one win from bowl eligibility, while Michigan State drops to 4-4. Both teams enter the matchup at 4-3 with the Wolverines coming off a loss to Illinois and the Spartans taking down Iowa.

Sherrone Moore got his first win in the rivalry as head coach of the Wolverines while Jonathan Smith drops to 0-1 in his first rivalry appearance.

Michigan is leading Michigan State 24-17 in the fourth quarter. MSU outgained Michigan and held the ball for 10 more minutes in the first half, but a last-second fumble from Aidan Chiles set up a Wolverines field goal that is the early difference. Michigan State dominated the first quarter to jump up 7-0, but Michigan held the Spartans in check down the stretch to take the lead.

The Wolverines started the second half with an Alex Orji touchdown and Michigan State answered with a Jonathan Kim field goal. Michigan pushed the lead to two touchdowns with a trick play touchdown with Donovan Edwards hitting Colston Loveland on a touchdown pass. MSU answered the trickery with a Nick Marsh touchdown to pull within seven late. MSU had one final possession with two minutes left, but turned it over on downs trying to find an equalizer.

Watch MSU vs. U-M live on Fubo (free trial)

Michigan snapped its first losing streak since 2020 after struggling on offense in tough road losses to Washington and Illinois. The Wolverines went back to Davis Warren as the starter and he did enough to steer the offense to a winning performance with 123 yards and, most importantly, no turnovers. Michigan State missed a field goal and had a fumble lead to a Michigan field goal before half.

The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network or Fubo (free trial). Michigan is a 4½-point favorite, according to BetMGM.

Check out the game recap from Michigan-Michigan State in Ann Arbor below.

Michigan vs. Michigan State game recap, highlights

1:52, 4Q: MSU turns it over on Chiles incompletion; Michigan takes over

The Spartans could not convert the critical fourth down. Michigan got immediate pressure off the left side and Chiles had to bail out of the pocket and fire an across-the-body throw to the end zone, but Michigan's secondary was there to bat it incomplete. Michigan needs just one first down to ice the clock.

2:00, 4Q: MSU offense faces fourth down from U-M 21

This play after the two-minute warning will likely decide the outcome. Michigan State got the stop it needed with a quick three-and-out to get the ball to midfield, and moved into Wolverine territory with a 29-yard completion to Nate Carter on a dump-off to convert a third down after he spun out of a tackle. MSU has fourth-and-5 from Michigan's 21 needing a touchdown to tie the game.

6:12, 4Q: Nick Marsh gets loose for 20 yard TD to cut Michigan's lead to 24-17

The Spartans are not done fighting. MSU cobbled a second touchdown drive that went 75 yards but took over seven minutes off the clock to get back within one score late. MSU methodically moved downfield with a heavy rushing attack featuring Nate Carter, before Aidan Chiles hit Marsh on a crossing route on third-and-12, and the freshman put on the brakes and cut back for a touchdown.

13:20, 4Q: Donovan Edwards hits Colston Loveland for TD on trick play; Michigan leads 24-10

Michigan's rolling on offense now. After the stop, Michigan picked up a first down after MSU linebacker Jordan Turner was ejected on targeting for tackling Alex Orji head-on in the hole of a running play. Michigan picked up one more first down on a completion to Kendrick Bell, then dialed up some trickery. Donovan Edwards took a pitch but threw a pass downfield to an open Colston Loveland after all of MSU's defense bit on the run. Michigan converted a two-point conversion to go up 14.

3:45, 3Q: Jonathan Kim hits 46-yard FG; Michigan leads 16-10

Michigan State got some of the points back on the ensuing possession. Aidan Chiles uncorked a 30-yard deep shot against a Michigan blitz on third down to flip the field, but Kenneth Grant blew up a third-and-1 run from Nate Carter to force the Spartans' field goal. Kim hit his second field goal attempt to pull within a touchdown, but his miss on the first possession of the game is starting to loom larger for MSU.

9:49, 3Q: Alex Orji runs in for TD; Michigan leads 16-7

The Wolverines have all the momentum. Michigan received the opening kick after taking the lead late in the first half, and put together another scoring drive that Alex Orji finished off with a 2-yard touchdown run. Orji started things with a 29-yard run on a keeper to the left, then Davis Warren fired a 23-yard dart on a flea flicker to reach the red zone. Michigan returned to the run to convert and take a two-possession lead.

Halftime: Michigan forces fumble, hits last-second FG to go up 9-7

Despite dominating for most of the half, Michigan State is trailing at the break. Aidan Chiles was strip-sacked by Josaiah Stewart early in MSU's drive and Michigan jumped on the loose ball at the Spartans' 34-yard line. Michigan ran one play, then Dominic Zvada hit a 37-yard field goal.

0:29, 2Q: Michigan cuts MSU lead to 7-6 with Colston Loveland TD catch, botched XP

Michigan finally found some mojo on offense. The Wolverines forced another quick punt and got the ball back at its own 36 and put together a 64-yard touchdown drive to cut Michigan State's lead to one point. Davis Warren converted a third down by finding Semaj Morgan just past the sticks then found Peyton O'Leary for a 15-yard gain. Michigan kept inching away with small gains before Warren faked and hit Loveland wide-open in the corner of the end zone. Punter Tommy Doman dropped the snap on the extra point, preserving MSU's small lead.

5:17, 2Q: Michigan punts for third time

Despite the switch back to Davis Warren, the Wolverines' offense still looks lifeless. The Wolverines have punted on all three of their possessions with a total of 37 yards and two first downs. Warren has completed four of five passes for 23 yards, but has not attempted a throw past the line of scrimmage, and Michigan State is geared up to stop the run.

0:10,1Q: Nate Carter powers in for TD; Michigan State leads 7-0

Michigan State forced an immediate three-and-out on Michigan's first offensive possession and immediately put together another long drive into Michigan's territory. But this time, the Spartans did not come away empty-handed after Nate Carter pounded in a fourth-down run from the 2-yard line. Aidan Chiles hit Nick Marsh for 15 yards to convert the first series, then Carter ripped off a 32-yard run to get deep into Wolverine territory. Michigan nearly produced another stop inside its 5-yard line, but MSU finally got enough push on the fourth down run to find a crease in the right side to reach the end zone. Michigan State is currently outgaining Michigan 135 to 1 and held the ball for 13:29 of the first 15 minutes.

6:52, 1Q: Jonathan Kim misses 25-yard FG, MSU comes up empty on first drive

Michigan State received the opening kickoff and put together a drive deep into Michigan territory with an effective running attack and a 26-yard screen to Nate Carter after a play-action fake to move into Wolverine territory. Aidan Chiles picked up the first first down with a scramble, but Carter did the rest. He converted back-to-back third-and-2's on the ground to get inside the 10-yard line. Michigan State ran it down to the 2-yard line then called a play-action fake on third-and-goal, but Chiles couldn't find an open receiver. The Spartans lined up to go for it from the 2, but got called for a delay of game. Jonathan Kim, who set a school record with six field goals last week, missed the 25-yarder for his second miss of 2024 and first miss inside 50 yards. MSU drove 73 yards and took eight minutes off the clock, but came away empty.

Availability report: Will Johnson out: Antonio Gates Jr. no longer with MSU

The Wolverines had nine players ruled out on the pregame availability report, including All-American cornerback Will Johnson and quarterback Jack Tuttle, who started last game. Defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny and wide receiver Amorion Walker are also out and defensive back Quinten Johnson is questionable.

MSU had no new injuries but redshirt sophomore wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr. is no longer on the Spartans' roster. Defensive end Avery Dunn and defensive backs Chance Rucker and Dillon Tatum also remain out.

Michigan vs. Michigan State pregame notes

The Wolverines and Spartans are meeting for the 117th matchup of the battle for Paul Bunyan, with Michigan holding a sizable lead in the all-time series along with an active two-game winning streak. MSU last won the rivalry in 2021 and are looking for their first win at Michigan Stadium since 2020.

Michigan has struggled to muster any offense this year thanks to the lack of passing stemming from the quarterback issue and one of the worst turnover issues in the country. Michigan has still found success at times with a run-heavy approach the Wolverines rank in the bottom third of the country in scoring, passing yards and giveaways. Michigan could be without cornerback Will Johnson, who left last game early with a foot injury.

MSU has drastically improved on defense from 2023, holding teams to 20.86 points per game, and held Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, the nation's second-leading rusher, in check until a late burst to the end zone after the game was settled.

On the other side, Michigan State's offense has experienced some issues, particularly with turnovers, but have shown a boom-or-bust capability with Chiles that smoothed out last week. The Spartans put together a complete performance last week against Iowa with over 200 rushing and passing yards, but now have a test against Michigan's decorated defense and defensive line.

Michigan vs. Michigan State time today

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 26.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET.

• Where: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

What channel is Michigan vs. Michigan State on today?

• TV channel: Big Ten Network.

• Livestream: Fubo (free trial).

• Local radio: WJR-AM (760) in Detroit (radio affiliates throughout the state of Michigan).

Fast facts

Matchup: Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) at Michigan (4-3, 2-2).

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.

TV/radio: Big Ten Network; WXYT-FM (97.1), WJR-AM (760).

Line: Wolverines by 5½.

Michigan vs. Michigan State availability report

MSU — Out: TE Michael Masunas (shoulder, season), OL Kristian Phillips (left leg, season), OL Gavin Broscious (lower left leg, season), DB Khalil Majeed (lower body, season), CB Chance Rucker (arm), DB Dillon Tatum (lower body).

Questionable: WR Alante Brown (upper body), WR Antonio Gates Jr. (undisclosed), DE Avery Dunn (undisclosed), DB Lejond Cavazos (undisclosed), LB Semaj Bridgeman (undisclosed).

U-M — Out: DB Rod Moore (ACL), DB Ja’Den McBurrows (undisclosed).

Questionable: CB Will Johnson (foot), S Jaden Mangham (undisclosed), LB Micah Pollard (undisclosed), DE Enow Etta (undisclosed), DT Rayshaun Benny (undisclosed), RB Jordan Marshall (lower body), RB Leon Franklin (undisclosed), RB Bryson Kuzdzal (undisclosed), TE Marlin Klein (undisclosed).

Probable: LT Myles Hinton (upper body).

Michigan vs. Michigan State prediction, picks

Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press: A prime-time showdown buried on Big Ten Network will prove TV executives made the wrong decision, as the Spartans and Wolverines live up to their historically heated and intense rivalry with a Big Ten slugfest of the highest magnitude. Chiles continues to receive pressure, and U-M gets home enough to disrupt the rhythm early. But the vastly improved MSU defense shuts down Mullings and the Wolverines’ run game in a low-scoring affair, with Chiles guiding the Spartans into field-goal range for enough Jonathan Kim kicks to boot away a two-game losing streak to U-M. The pick: MSU 20, U-M 13.

Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press: That this game isn’t a clear runaway for Michigan shows both how far U-M has fallen and the step MSU has taken. U-M needs to win the turnover battle and time of possession and have the run game take it to a stout MSU front. MSU, though, feels like it can win even with a turnover or an issue in the run game, with an edge in special teams and coaching. The pick: MSU 22, U-M 19.

FULL BREAKDOWN: Michigan vs. Michigan State football scouting report, predictions for state of rivalry

Michigan vs. Michigan State betting odds

Odds provided by BetMGM.

• Odds: Michigan by 5½.

• Moneyline:Michigan -200, Michigan State +165.

• Point total over/under: 40½ points.

Michigan State schedule 2024

• Week 1: Aug. 31 vs. Florida Atlantic, (W, 16-10)

• Week 2: Sept. 7: at Maryland, (W, 27-24)

• Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. Prairie View A&M, (W, 40-0)

• Week 4: Sept. 21 @ Boston College, (L, 23-19)

• Week 5: Sept. 28 vs. Ohio State, (L, 38-7)

• Week 6: Oct. 4 at Oregon, (L 31-10)

• Week 7: Oct. 12, Bye

• Week 8: Oct. 19 vs. Iowa (W 32-20)

• Week 9: Oct. 26 at Michigan

• Week 10: Nov. 2 vs. Indiana

• Week 11: Nov. 9, Bye

• Week 12: Nov. 16, at Illinois

• Week 13: Nov. 22 vs. Purdue

• Week 14: Nov. 30 vs. Rutgers

Michigan football schedule 2024

• Week 1: Aug. 31 vs. Fresno State (W, 30-10)

• Week 2: Sept. 7: vs Texas (L, 31-12)

• Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. Arkansas State (W, 28-18)

• Week 4: Sept. 21 vs. USC, 3:30 p.m. (W, 27-24)

• Week 5: Sept. 28 vs. Minnesota (W, 27-24)

• Week 6: Oct. 5 at Washington (L, 27-17)

• Week 7: Oct. 12, Bye

• Week 8: Oct. 19 at Illinois (L, 21-7)

• Week 9: Oct. 26 vs. Michigan State, 7:30 p.m., BTN

• Week 10: Nov. 2 vs. Oregon, TBD

• Week 11: Nov. 9 at Indiana, TBD

• Week 12: Nov. 16, Bye

• Week 13: Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern, TBD

• Week 14: Nov. 30 at Ohio State, 12 p.m., Fox

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.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan vs Michigan State score: Recap, highlights, TV channel